Stage 1 Boost question

[Jules93Conv]

I recently got a stage 1 upgrade (BSR PPC) and for some reason haven’t noticed a huge improvement.



I have a boost gage fitted and am seeing the following boost is the right for stage 1?



1st and 2nd Peaks for a second at 13psi then settles down to around 12

3rd to 5th Peaks at 17 then settles at just under 15



I assumed it would be the same in all gears after stage 1?



Also the other day on the freeway at WOT in 4th and 5th my CEL started blinking at me when I slowed down it went away and under normal driving hasn’t appeared again. What would cause this? (The car has been for a service 2 weeks ago and all is fine)



I think I might go and have another dyno and see if I am getting a real improvement since Stage 1.



Is there such a thing as a "dud" PPC upgrade?





Thanks as always



Jules

02 9-3 Vert HOT

[mg_td]

does it feel any faster? do you have any mechanical mods with the ecu?

[redline514]

Well I mean it can't be that much of a dud, assuming your boost gauge isn't lying. The new chip may have the boost limited in 1st and 2nd for traction reasons, this is common.
I wouldn't know about the CEL thought, sorry

[Stalker]

The boost levels seem about right to me for what a stage 1 would be. I done beleive its meant to be a huge jump in performance, but a step nonetheless.

[hunt.dogshome]

Just got BSR stage 1 in my NG900 - Tops!

20PSI on a very cold day. No it doesn't feel much faster, but the gears go 1.2.3.4.5. Rather than 1..2..3..4..5.. You don't get the kick that you're maybe expecting, just a big hand wafting you along. I think it takes a few tens of seconds to get to 20PSI, so the instant urge you get from a V8 when changing gear isn't there.

Cruising on the motorway is different; need to watch that speed.

MPGs about the same. It's also just as smooth below boost and around town.

There was a bit of faffing about with pressure until I cleaned the plugs and gave it a chance to adapt. "7" plugs seem to get slightly grubby trundling around to work in ice and snow. Just loose dusty carbon. Probably be fine in summer.
Huge improvement? No...ish. Sort of medium/big.

[MarkyClifoptomus]

Im just a noob, and I was wondering if someone can explain to me in terms I would understand what an ECU upgrade does... have a good part time job and I almost have enough for a stage 1 upgrade but I dont know exactly what it does... I was about to order a MBC+a but I wasnt sure if the ECU controlled how much boost your run... thanks in advance -Mark

[Stalker]

The ecu will adjust both boost levels and timing (and fuel accordingly) The mbc+a will just give you more boost.
~super short version

[redline514]

Basically the difference between a mbc and ecu is that the mbc just ups the boost. This is limiting mostly due to the fuel cut-off at 15.5 psi. The ecu ups boost, as well as fuel and air intake to create a better mix. This is why it allows you to boost upwards of 20 psi. It all depends on what your goals for the car are. And you definatly get what you pay for here.

[mg_td]

ecus are the way to go especially with t-7. oh wait. its the only way.....

[redline514]

what year/trim do you have marky? Or is this for the 94?

[ricot83]

Originally Posted by mg_td

ecus are the way to go especially with t-7. oh wait. its the only way.....

no true...!!!!!
i had my car at 12-14psi last year with my smbc installed...... stock boost is only 9psi at its highest point... explain that to me.....

i also have a stretched wastegate actuator and a 6cm housing....

[mg_td]

the only way that t-7 will truly accept extra boost and run well with is an ecu. you know the negative effects of a smbc on a t-7 system. adrian pointed this out a while back. search! haha

[redline514]

whoa, word of the wise, don't **** with ricot, he knows his stuff.

[mg_td]

well there was a HUGE thread on this a while back, as to whether or not a smbc was good for t7. it CAN be done, but what t-7 does to regulate how much actually flows in to the cylinders is to use the throttle. if it detects more pressure than it wants, or more air mass than what should be flowing, it will close the throttle, effectively cutting boost. search for this thread, there are lots of adrian data plots, its great.

[redline514]

I know how a t-7 works. And that is probably why ricot isn't running the mbc+a right now. Besides the fact that he doesn't need it.

[Stalker]

Cmon now guys there is already a few pages worth on this debate...

[mg_td]

i knwo i know, ive read them.

[ricot83]

Originally Posted by redline514

I know how a t-7 works. And that is probably why ricot isn't running the mbc+a right now. Besides the fact that he doesn't need it.

alright here is the thing i dont like miss informed people.... and i have a huge problem with the above statement....... You know how t-7 works right????? well then y does it say mbc+a?????????????? the reason it is not on my car right now? My car is parked for the winter and for each mod i have done over winter i take the car out and test it to see how the boost is affected if at all. When i put my DP on the car, that will b the deciding factor of whether the SMBC goes back on or not. Whether i need it or not... or anyone needs an smbc for that matter is personal opinion.

Adrian Posts many theories and bumps heads with many people on here including myself in the past.... Why do i mention this? THEY ARE THEORIES!!!!! Not tested by Adrian but by people like myself!!! It was said that T7 can not have more boost with an MBC installed... i proved to myself that that theory was wrong when i installed one in my car and the turbo spooled to 22psi in first gear........YES i was scared ****less that something would break. So i came back home read all the theories, that i had just proven wrong, over again to make sure i read the right thing.... i found a happy medium with the Smbc installed and it was at 12psi. Now what made me decide to take it out? Well as stated the Winter came and the car was parked, I need a baseline with all my parts installed just like i had when before i first installed the smbc.

P.S. If u haven't learned anything from this all and still think t-7 is not tuneable... explain to me why without an ecu i dynoed as much as i did last year. Yes it was on a calibrated dyno and yes all the other cars that were part of that dyno day put down consistent numbers to what their mods are, so throw out your inaccurate dyno theory... thank you and have a nice day.

[mg_td]

well then. i am sorry to have offended. but when i read that thread adrians data logs showing the ever changing throttle position made me think t-7 should be left to its own devices in order to preserve the balance in this finicky system.
edit: rico if you buy one of those data logging things you should see what the difference is between w/smbc and without smbc. maybe that will provide somewhat more definitive answers as to the smbc's effect on the vehicle.

[ricot83]

Disclaimer: I do NOT base what i say on theories, it is my own experiences with my own car. The only exception to this is the moments right before i test some new idea.