I got my truck driving for the first time today and I am running it off of the wastegate spring witch is a 7psi spring but i'm only seeing 2 maybe 3 psi of boost does that seem right? should i put a bigger spring in and check it or should i get a boost controller or do you think i have other problems?

 

where are you measuring the boost?

I would measure it at the compressor housing, after the intercooler and in the manifold after the TB
it will always be higher at the compressor especially at higher boost levels, but you shouldnt be losing that much at 7psi.

other things to check are sticking(open) wastegates and BOV, or charge pipe leaks.

 

Details.....

Motor
turbo
W/G
BOV
Timing
AF
...
...
...

 

rusted- i'm measuring from the intake

robert-357 sbc,GT4202R, progate,tial 50mm, 20 degrees timing locked

 

Check the gate to see if it is open.
Put some timing in that thing....
Don't get all crazy, try 4 more.

 

if my bov has the wrong spring in would it blow boost out?

 

if your wastegate has x# spring, the gate will open at x-psi and push remaining boost to atmosphere if so routed.. so if you got a 7# spring your gate opens at 7psi.

i don't really think you would have blow off valve that can only hand 2-3 psi... but someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

How is it hooked up?

 

7 psi spring and your only making 3 psi? Make sure your line is hooked to your blow off valve other wise it will never close.

 

the blow off valve is hooked to the intake manifold

 

Do you have 2 ports on the wastegate? One on the top and one sorta on the side? Its a TIAL so it should be that way. I think it needs to be on the top port. I think thats what my buddy robert1320 is getting at.

See if the wastegate is partially open. I had a big turbo vw corrado only making 275whp with very lazy spoolup. Wastegate was stuck partially open. Fixed that, did 400.

 

its a turbosmart progate both fittings are on the side

 

with a turbo smart gate you have to go with the lower fitting. the top is just vented for now..you can use the top if you have a boost controller which is seems like you dont so use the lower fitting if you are not already doing that. let us know how you make out

 

thats how i have it hooked up I just haven't had time to mess with it again yet tomarrow night I should be able to mess with it

 

Both go on the lower port... The top one is for adjustable boost ...

 

well i got the carb. issue takin care of tonight and all setup and checked over a few things pulled some plugs to see how they looked and everything looked good also checked the waste gate to make sure it wasn't open for any reason and it was fine so i raised the timing up to 24 degrees and drove it again and It really felt stronge fuel pressure is rising as it should due to making boost but i still didn't see boost on the gauge but i'm positive its making boost i think i just have a gauge problem even though It reads vacuum fine i'll look into that alittle more the next time i work on it

 

Hate to post up my experiences, but here I go.

I had a car once that read vacuum perfectly, and would only read 3psi of boost. Customer brings it in and complains of 3psi of boost. The shop owner and master said the same thing. I drove the car and noticed the turbo was screaming and the car pulled as it should.

I pulled the gauge out and the line was kinked. Read vacuum and almost no boost. Could very well be it.

 

that could be it i'm going to look in to it this week

 

Also, check boost pressure with nothing hooked-up confirm the gate is working correctly.
It could be the controller defeating the gate.

 

i'm not running any controller i'm just running off the spring