Electronic Boost Controllers

[95gto]

This [in bold] as it's often used during the week driving to work. Low boost for economy and high boost for weekend driving in the hills. No need for low boost for other drivers cus I don't let anyone else drive it ever. 4 other ppl have driven it since I owned it [since early 2007]. One mate who then curbed my rims... he never drove it again, my mechanic, my tyre guy and my dad.
Now I read somewhere that the stock boost solenoid was only good for 14psi. Is this correct? I assume I'm going to have to buy an aftermarket solenoid if I do continue using the Vi-PEC or go for an EBC. I also need to find out if the BlackStealth unit will work as a stand-alone boost controller.

To truly get better fuel economy for a low boost mode you will need two very different maps. What I would be concerned about is how much of an mpg increase would actually be possible on a super lean/low boost tune, it may be very little for the required work.

[GTOJOE]

My boost controller also works without an ECU connected. However, to access some of the cool features of the boost controller such as reduce boost in case of knock won't be available on your Vi-PEC ECU.

If your Vi-PEC uses a serial port for communication, it would be possible to adjust my software to work with your Vi-PEC. I would need to know the serial commands to access that information. Would the manufacturer of Vi-PEC give that info out, or would we have to sniff the serial port?

I believe there is an option for both serial or USB. I'm not sure about getting the info but Ray is pretty cool about it all so maybe jump on his forum and he might be able to give you the answers.

Customer Support Forum • Index page

Ray is semi retired now so he might take a few days to answer or some of the other engineers will answer. However I emailed him on a Sunday and got a reply a few hours later.

rayhall@turbofast.com.au
info@vi-pec.com

Also could the unit function as a standalone wideband so I could monitor AFRs?

To truly get better fuel economy for a low boost mode you will need two very different maps. What I would be concerned about is how much of an mpg increase would actually be possible on a super lean/low boost tune, it may be very little for the required work.

I suspected I would need 2 fuel maps to do it properly which then means I have to use the Vi-PEC to hand boost. Which leaves me back at the same point not being able to change the boost without a laptop and a quick tune.
Would running a very low boost setting help if I just used a unit like the TurboXS Dual EBC? as it's basically just an MBC with a switch.

[GTO Assassin]

Joe - I was talking with a Haltech tuner over east about letting the ecu control boost and he was all for it. But then I speak with tuners over west and they say that the Haltech ecu isn't reliable for controlling boost. They said that boost spike is quite common.

Scotty

[GTOJOE]

I talked to Ray about this sort of thing and he said often that is the case and he only recently introduced boost control on his ECU's as he was not willing to add it until he was 100% happy with it.

[95gto]

I suspected I would need 2 fuel maps to do it properly which then means I have to use the Vi-PEC to hand boost. Which leaves me back at the same point not being able to change the boost without a laptop and a quick tune.

This isn't necessarily true. You can run two separate maps on your ecu with boost control being external to the ecu. However in doing so you run the risk of damaging the engine if you boost is set to hi and your ecu is set to the low map. However the ability to overboost the motor is a condition present on all cars with boost control, ebc or mbc. I use a Blitz Dual SBC Type-R and if I crank up my boost beyond what my tune can handle I will grenade my motor. So I just leave it set so that I stay at the boost pressure my tune can handle.

Would running a very low boost setting help if I just used a unit like the TurboXS Dual EBC? as it's basically just an MBC with a switch.

Running a boost pressure lower than what your tune setup for won't really help your fuel economy. It will shift your parameters slightly to the leaner side of the map, but you are talking about a small change. Ideally if your low boost map is set to 10psi you should leave your boost settings at 10psi when using that map. As for wheter you use the ecu, an ebc, or an mbc to control boost it won't really matter.

[KeithMac]

I run a Blitz SSBC (really old EBC!), it`s perfect no spiking and easy to use with 2 settings. Was looking to upgrade recently but I have no need at all.

The actual boost does not alter depending on air temps, summer or winter for me at all.

[vr4god]

I wish someone would/could find the solenoids used in the EBC's. I have a Dual BC made by Blitz. I love it. 1 solenoid is bad. I have to buy a brand new unit as Blitz wont sell just a solenoid. Im sure those parts are available at industrial suppliers here in the states. I need to find them so we stop getting ripped off by Blitz for that little black box. Anyone know where to find these solenoids here in the USA?