how does a boost controller work

[redbull660]

On a mid mount or rear mount turbo how does the boost controller work, when you turn up the boost does it supply more air to the little vacuum controller or less air to it. I have notice that on my turbo if you blow about 10 pounds of air into the little hose that goes to the vacuum canister thing it will extend the little rod that comes out of it, when you let the air off the little spring inside of it will bring it back. So, when the boost is turned up on the controller does it restricting air going to the vacuum controller or does it supply more air. I am new to the turbo stuff and have had a couple of friends ask me this and I dont know what to tell them, thanks

 

[Washy]

Basically it supplies less pressure than you turbo is putting out. You can have it wide open and have say 10 psi in your charge system, the waste gate actuator will see 10 psi and start to open. If you start to crank on the boost controller you will have say 12 psi in you charge system and only 10 psi going to your waste gate actuator. This will allow you to run more boost without changing the rod length.

 

[redbull660]

So in other words if you turn the boost controller to the "+" side it will let more line pressure to the vacuum canister therefore pushing the rod, correct????

 

[lakercr]

It's not a vacuum canister, it works on positive (boost) pressure. Pressure in the line actuates the diaphram, which is connected to a rod, which is connected to your wategate. A boost controller bleeds some of that air out of the signal line, requiring more manifold pressure to open the wastegate.

 

[Sammy]

just the opposite, turning your boost controller clockwise (to the +) limits the boost signal to the actuator. It is just as T-Nytro says, if your turn in the controller clockwise the boost signal to the controller will be let's say 10 psi but from the controller to the actuator it will be 8 psi. Turn it in some more and the difference will increase. Think of it this way the LESS travel of the actuator the MORE your boost will be.

 

[redbull660]

Ok I think I got it, its backwards from the way I thought it was. What if you plugged off the hose completely so no air was getting to the actuator would you then get more boost, just a hypathetical question. thanks

 

[Sammy]

Yes you are correct . Blocking the signal line will increase boost, however don't do this. It will get expensive if you do.

 

[redbull660]

Yes you are correct . Blocking the signal line will increase boost, however don't do this. It will get expensive if you do.

Nope dont worry I didnt have that in mind, I just through that question out there just to make sure I had the right understanding of how it all worked. thanks guys.