Mbc Vs Ecu Tuning

[Phil94850]

I have a crappy cheap MBC in my car and i ordered a better one ( voodoo ) so im planning on turning the boost up some more. Right now its only boosting about 10 or 11 on the cheap MBC im sure thats my problem, im planning on turning up to about 15, anyways... my question is.. i know some like MBC's and some dont but is it really worth the expense of having the ecu tuned ? I know it removes the fuel cut-out and some other things but for a 40 dollar MBC you can really turn up the juice.

Im sure it matters alot on what kind of driving your doing, in my case im mainly a everyday driver and dont WOT very much but i like to know its there when i need it. Whats your guys opinions ????

[caliwagon]

I think you have other issues if you can only get 10-11 psi. I'd be surprised if that's just b/c it's a "cheap" MBC. Stage Zero!

[TorqueSteer]

You can turn up the boost to get some more power and squeeze the limits of the stock ecu's fuel and compensation, but remember a tuned ecu will also change your timing maps, to both retard timing under boost a bit to prevent detonation and protect your engine, but also advance timing in the midrange or other places to expand the powerband, timing which is properly tuned in can gain you alot of extra horsepower.

[Phil94850]

the car has been tuned, new timing belt, and all that... i had the guy send me another MBC and i installed it and when you turn the knob so far trying to get the boost higher at about 12 psi or so the knob gets loose on the MBC and my boost starts dropping off. Like i said its one of those 10 dollar MBC's off ebay he said it should hold 15 psi but i dont think so. Like the old saying goes.. u get what you pay for. thats what i get for being cheap.

Ive checked all my vac. hoses, intercooler hoses, no leaks or cracks anywhere. the turbo feels strong ive never had trouble with it. the only thing i can figure is the cheap MBC

[theForgottenone]

You can turn up the boost to get some more power and squeeze the limits of the stock ecu's fuel and compensation, but remember a tuned ecu will also change your timing maps, to both retard timing under boost a bit to prevent detonation and protect your engine, but also advance timing in the midrange or other places to expand the powerband, timing which is properly tuned in can gain you alot of extra horsepower.

Amen

[FixerUpper]

if you take off your boost controller vaccuum line you'll have uber boost

but no ecu control to stop detonation and soon you would have serious issues.

keep that in mind when trying to max out boost. If I had money, I would go ecu route, but I have done so much to get this car to zero, I am broke. so i run a cheapo voodoo mbc and have fun with that.

[Phil94850]

the voodoo says it will adjust up to 30psi ?? im only looking at setting around 15. right now mine will only hold about 10psi with the cheap MBC and spikes sometimes to 12.

Fixer... have you had any trouble with getting yours to adjust the boost or anything?

[Anthrpicdecadnce]

does anyone know of any places in massachusetts (especially south shore) that does bosch tuning?

[theForgottenone]

does anyone know of any places in massachusetts (especially south shore) that does bosch tuning?

Would this be close enough?

EPL Lab

[RussB]

It's the mid-throttle, relatively low RPM (2000 to 3000 RPM) and high boost that kills our cars...The stock exhaust also restricts much flow, and can overheat the turbo.

I've had seals blow out and begin to leak due to my MBC set at 13 PSI. Also, you'll hit fuel cut-off in cold temps. It's your ECU's way of saying, "Enough, Man!"

Tread cautiously

[Anthrpicdecadnce]

Would this be close enough?

EPL Lab

hmm... perhaps a little closer?

[loseR99]

I've had seals blow out and begin to leak due to my MBC set at 13 PSI. Also, you'll hit fuel cut-off in cold temps. It's your ECU's way of saying, "Enough, Man!"

Tread cautiously

If you've had seals blow at 13psi, you've got problems elsewhere.

I'm running a cheap ebay mbc and it holds 15psi strong.

[RussB]

If you've had seals blow at 13psi, you've got problems elsewhere.

I'm running a cheap ebay mbc and it holds 15psi strong.

Yes, you're quite right. You have a '01 S40, while I have a '96 855 with over a 150,000 miles. With it comes along tired rings and and more I'm sure...

Still, with a new head gasket (didn't mention that one before!) new seals (rear main included) and a new PCV system, The 3" downpipe & 2.5" exhaust flow much more air through the enging, so the MAF senses the large quantity of air being consumed, and I hit cut-off at 13 lbs of boost occasionally, especially when the air is cold and crisp.

[loseR99]

So what is happening exactly during a fuel cut?

[theForgottenone]

So what is happening exactly during a fuel cut?

Your car will either go into limp mode or Ecu won't let any more fuel into the engine

So your car will have a sudden jerk/stop in accerlation either way.