After continous Bullsh*t problems with the WalletMaster III ABS brake system and a few other things, I was getting quite frustrated with my TGP and considering selling this "heap" because it's too many problems to be worth my time and it wasn't pulling hard enough accelerating, to bring the satisfaction I wanted. Well I can say I've now returned to a happy man appreciating the ol' McLaren once again!! 8)
I finally got my mechanical boost gauge installed a few days ago. Boy what a task, I'd say I wasted at least a good 6 hours on that project. Anyways after witnessing the pathetic stock boost amounts (4.5 PSI at WOT at low RPMs, and 7.5 PSI once you get around 4000), I wanted to try smoothing out the boost level.
I borrowed a manual brass "BoostValve" off my Syclone (in winter storage) that I bought for $35 from www.boostvalve.com. I put it in place of the factory electronic wastegate solenoid. I started off at the lowest possible adjustment (4-5 PSI). Already, it felt torqueier when stabbing the gas! The BoostValve doesn't open the wastegate AT ALL until target boost is reached, so the boost comes on REALLY QUICK! The TGP seems to have such a good wastegate design (dumping directly into the downpipe) that the valve works really well with minimal boost spikes.
I turned up the wick a few more times until I reached about 7.5 PSI constant on Christmas Eve. Man the car really rips! I got a big grin on my face. Well tonight (Christmas) I turned the boost up one more, to about 9 PSI solid. Holy crap, I can't beleive how well this car takes off. I couldn't stop giggling! The (225 size) tires want to roast now and its just incredible how well the car pulls compared to before. The boost gauge needle moves so violently I can't beleive it. I reach target boost nearly the instant my foot arrives at the floor! I am not going to turn up the boost any higher for fear of hitting stock chip boost cut, and wasting my tranny. That's one disadvantage of the manual valve; there is no torque management. How can I tell if my tranny is being worn?
This is really just for fun for the time being.. I can't wait to get Jeff M's chip which provides 12 PSI and proper fueling, I bet it's another significant step faster than what I'm doing right now. I have been hooked on Turbo power for 2 years now but I continue to be astounded at how much performance can be increased on factory production turbo motors just by increasing the boost. I ran 15.3 stock and I am absolutely positive I could run a 14 second quarter mile now. I estimate somewhere around 14.8 (wild guess at this point on the butt dyno.).
If there is anyone else who did this type of modification on the stock chip, and then put in the Jeff M Topgun 160 chip, can you tell me how they compare? Clearly, the difference from where I'm at now, and Jeff's chip, is not going to be as great for me as it would be for someone going from a bone stock chip to Jeff's chip. But I'm hoping there would still be a significant improvement in performance. Thanks.
PS: Next thing I need to do is hook up a scan tool to ensure I am not suffering knock retard at higher boost. I get the impression the TGP motor is a lot more stout than the SyTy motor but I still don't want to hurt it by being foolish.
cool as shizzzz :D
Sweet stuff. Any turbo car can benifet from more mods. Felt torquie didn't it? I felt that on the beretta when i use one of those boost controlers. Well you getting fustrated of your TGP after having too many problems and thinking of selling before you did your boost controler is nothing. Try owning a 90 ford taurus GL,,,,tranny after tranny after tranny,head gasket this, ignition modual that, steering pump this, problems golore. :morning:
Sounds really cool, do you have an external boost gage?
Happy to hear everything has come together for you.....