BlackStealth LCD controller - Boost Controller Issues

[DrGonzo]

I didn't want to clog up the already long post so figured I would create a new one. Has anyone had issue with the Boost Controller portion of the BSLCD?

So I have everything hooked up and working fine. GM Sensor logging boost pressure is working fine, MAC valve all hooked up and tested fine, Trying to set the boost controller and not matter what i do it always overboots, like it is not doing anything at all.

I originally had the Duty Cycle set to 14 thinking it was boost PSI not Duty Cycle percentage which honestly I still don't understand why it's not just set a psi and go with it, but whatever. Took it for a spin and hit 18psi overboost warning at like 40% throttle!! WTF! Ok so read the manual and found it was a duty cycle percentage and not a PSI setting like I though, but then realized at 14% I should not have been anywhere close to 18PSI of boost. So took it back out and played with the settings, set it to 0% and overboosted, set it to 100% and overboosted.... OK so WTF both ends of the spectrum and I'm still overboosting, how the hell do you set this thing?!?!?

Luckily even hitting 18psi I was not knocking and fuel was still good at like 10.5AFR as I have not really tuned it. Trying to get it set at 12psi stock to get trims and such dialed in before I start adding boost. Since I can't get the boost controller portion working I'm sort of SOL right now since the 13G's spin up sop damn fast...LOL All of the other Boost related setting are still default as far as I know. I only have the boost alarm set at 14 psi.

I also noticed randomly that when the car is on I can hear the mac valve randomly clicking under the hook off/on. Not sure if it is related or normal.

Anyone have a clue?

[DocWalt]

Any way for you to hook up an analog meter or a scope to the solenoid wiring?

[RealMcCoy]

Sounds like you have it plumbed wrong... You should have wastegate boost with the solenoid unplugged or set to zero duty cycle.

[DrGonzo]

Any way for you to hook up an analog meter or a scope to the solenoid wiring?

Only have a Digital meter here. No scope.


Sounds like you have it plumbed wrong... You should have wastegate boost with the solenoid unplugged or set to zero duty cycle.

I have it plumed as left port vacuum in, right out to wastegates, center is the breather plug thingy. Basically like this:

http://www.evilempireperformance.co.uk/gto-3000gt-shop/images/categories/P1030179.JPG

The BSLCD manual does not have a hookup diagram but I'm guessing now that I should have it hooked up as:

http://www.rx7club.com/attachments/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/367390d1258494246-testing-mac-vs-oe-solenoid-valves-other-boost-control-strategies-3-way-solenoid-valve-connections.jpg

Guessing it all depends on if the BSLCD energizes it to stop boost, or is stays energized until it needs to cut boost and I'm not sure which way it runs.

Thanks

[BlackStealth]

I think you have it plumbed wrong, it doesn't match to the picture I have on the manual.

See page 7 for boost solenoid installation:
http://lcdbc.xp3.biz/InstallationEBC.pdf


Next , go verify these settings:
"PSI Start=1psi"
"PSI End=2psi"

If those advanced settings are incorrectly set, you could be running 100% duty cycle, or other weird overboost/pulsating effects. Those settings are for cheating, ie. run 100% duty cycle for faster turbo spool up temporarily before you reach your target boost. Most people don't understand this concept, so it's best to leave them at default (essentially off).

Also when you hit alarm boost pressure (overboost), it will set duty cycle=0% for 5 seconds.

[j2k4]

Greg, I'm gonna guess - once you've got it plumbed correctly using Antero's guidelines - you could set duty cycle around 34-35 and be in the 12-13 psi range.

Your FMIC may bump that a bit, though; I'm running 13Cs with DSM SMICs, and setting duty cycle around 40, I can bump 15 PSI.

A little goes a long way.

Like I say though, your front mount will likely allow you hit a higher number easier than the stock ICs; swapping my stockers for the DSMs without adjusting duty cycle put me about 2PSI higher than I intended before adjusting it back down.

[DrGonzo]

I think you have it plumbed wrong, it doesn't match to the picture I have on the manual.

See page 7 for boost solenoid installation:
http://lcdbc.xp3.biz/InstallationEBC.pdf


Next , go verify these settings:
"PSI Start=1psi"
"PSI End=2psi"

If those advanced settings are incorrectly set, you could be running 100% duty cycle, or other weird overboost/pulsating effects. Those settings are for cheating, ie. run 100% duty cycle for faster turbo spool up temporarily before you reach your target boost. Most people don't understand this concept, so it's best to leave them at default (essentially off).

Also when you hit alarm boost pressure (overboost), it will set duty cycle=0% for 5 seconds.


OK, yeah I have the manual with all of the settings in it. Never knew this install manual existed. So yeah I have it hooked up wrong. Will get that fixed tomorrow after work hopefully. May be able to get a quick test drive in. Not sure what the weather will be like when i get home though.

Will let everyone know. Thanks!

[DrGonzo]

OK, So I was wrong again. I checked the MAC valve when I got home and I do have it plumbed correctly. Center goes to Y-pipe and the left port goes to wastegates. Exactly like shown in the manual. So not sure what I need to look at now.

Here were the last settings I used in the Boost controller menu. Pretty much all blank.

PSI Start 1.0
PSI End 2.0
Aux Duty 0.0
Duty Cycle Temp - Default
Alarm Boost 15
Duty Cycle 0.0
DC%Knock 0.0
Dc Offset Default

With these settings I hit 17.7psi registered on the BSLCD. I'm using an external GM sensor to register boost. I can go into the Config Menu and test the Solenoid and I can hear it clicking fast.

[RealMcCoy]

I don't know or care about center port, left or right port, etc... I would worry about the flow being correct. You should have open flow from the Y-pipe to the actuators through the solenoid with it not energized. With it energized you should have the Y-pipe blocked, and the gates vented.

[BlackStealth]

0% duty cycle = no restriction.
100% duty cycle = fully restricted.

By the way, is it possible your hose is pinched (causing restriction to wastegate, and therefore raising boost).

[DrGonzo]

Yeah, I set it to 0% as that should be wastegate boost. I originally had it set to like 30% to see how close that was and slowly kept lowering it all the way down to zero since nothing I was doing was taking effect.

I checked the lines and they are all good. the lines are all clear and not pinched.

I'll try RealMccoys method and see if I can get the wastegates to open pulling vacuum on the hose at the plenum.

[RealMcCoy]

You need pressure to open them...

[DrGonzo]

Yeah, sorry. Thats what I meant but didn't type. It was getting late.... :p

[DrGonzo]

So Looks like I found the issue... it's not the boost controller or the Mac valve. The Kinugawa Billet Wastegates I bought from someone on the forums has a damn 18psi black spring in them instead of the green 12psi.

Went and tested the valve with the air compressor and saw that the WG's where opening, but it took some pressure. Started slowly lowering the PSI till they no longer closed at it was about 20psi on the pressure gauge on the wall which is not 100% accurate. So I knew something was up. Pulled the front one and opened it up and sure enough, Black spring in there..... Bastards!! Should have checked them before I installed them.

So off to get the correct springs on order to fix the problem.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!