boost controller vs PCM

[Cal Cruzer]

Originally Posted by turbo_pt2003

I added a boost controller to my 2003 gt and raised it to 10lbs of boost... The difference was amazing and the car is running just fine.. and i'm perfectly happy with it.

You should look for boost leaks. If you needed a BC to get to 10#'s there is something wrong. You would love the feel of full boost.

[reklaweelmada]

Originally Posted by FamilyGT

Think about what you are saying. The cold air allows the engine to achieve the hp and torque without so much boost. Thats why cold temps pull less boost. The computer is pulling boost because the requirements have already been met for the power at a lower level of boost. cold air makes it easier to get higher boost if the computer wasn't controlling it through a torque request. The stock GT turbo can handle up to 20psi before loosing its breath and still be reliable. 13 psi is a detuned version of what it's capable of.

So basically, you're telling me to get a boost controller and up the boost to 20? LOL

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by reklaweelmada

So basically, you're telling me to get a boost controller and up the boost to 20? LOL

No, not without being able to add more fuel, having an A/F gauge, stage 1 and an adj wga. You can't just turn the boost up to 20, unless you don't mind blowing golfball sized holes in your engine block.

[reklaweelmada]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

No, not without being able to add more fuel, having an A/F gauge, stage 1 and an adj wga. You can't just turn the boost up to 20, unless you don't mind blowing golfball sized holes in your engine block.

LOL! Ok, so, like my brothers car. Wideband, o2 sensor, bigger injectors, from stock cc to what cc? Boost controller. Then I can start cranking some boost.

[PT_Cuda]

Originally Posted by reklaweelmada

So basically, you're telling me to get a boost controller and up the boost to 20? LOL

You will never see 20psi, its beyond the stock turbo its out of breath at that pressure.. 18 is about the max for it - per one of the engine designers. And if you need more than that on the street you have issues. That 18psi will keep just about everyone going "WTF??? A PT????"

And just FYI in an Auto you should not be boosting in O/D aka 4th if you want to keep your trans in one piece.. Always drop to 3rd then hammer it..

[FamilyGT]

from everything I have read on several forums, Stage 0 can be pushed up to 15psi with a MBC and or adjustable wastegate. Anything over that will throw an over boost code. More boost requires a staged setup. I.E. stage 1 and up and including the required parts for each.

[reklaweelmada]

Originally Posted by PT_Cuda

You will never see 20psi, its beyond the stock turbo its out of breath at that pressure.. 18 is about the max for it - per one of the engine designers. And if you need more than that on the street you have issues. That 18psi will keep just about everyone going "WTF??? A PT????"

And just FYI in an Auto you should not be boosting in O/D aka 4th if you want to keep your trans in one piece.. Always drop to 3rd then hammer it..

Thanks for the heads up. Also...I saw somewhere that they have an optional larger intake housing for the stock turbo's....are they worth it?

[PT_Cuda]

Originally Posted by reklaweelmada

Thanks for the heads up. Also...I saw somewhere that they have an optional larger intake housing for the stock turbo's....are they worth it?

That would probably be the plastic manifold, its stock on all 05+ cars. Replaces the metal intake manifold. Its not bigger, but its design(the guy I quoted above Gary Mckissick designed the manifold) gives a quick 8-10hp jump just from the air flowing better across all 4 cylinders. Trust me this mod is worth it on an older GT. You can actually hear your car sucking in air if you leave the manifold nekkid(the cover comes with sound deading under it). I probably heard it more since I run a gutted stock box and a custom Turbo-to-airbox pipe.

You get a few quick benefits.

1. Better airflow across all 4 cylinders
2. Lower under hood temps since the plastic doesn't hold heat like the metal
3. You loose a little weight swapping out the metal parts for the plastic. Manifold upper/lower and support bracket - 10lbs. Not much but something.
4. You can still change your spark plugs through it, though it does require a craftsman(its shorter than others) spark plug socket with a knuckle on it. The spaces between the runners are tighter than the metal manifold, but its doable.

5. Optional - you get a great spot in the back of it to tap for water injection, NOS.

[reklaweelmada]

I know of the manifold swap. I was talking about the intake housing of the actual turbo. You take the intake housing off of the stock one and bolt up a larger diameter intake housing. I search on google for about 15 minutes to try to find it again...and go figure...can't find it now.