Kicking around turbo ideas...

[knzee]

I am looking at maybe getting into a turbo this year and have some questions. I Like the idea of having a little more than pump gas turbo power. I am trying to figure out the push to pass button on the new boondocker kits. If you are running say 7psi on pump gas and push the button it takes it up to a higher psi, say 12-14 if you want. Are you going to have to run the amount of race fuel that it would take to run 12-14psi and only run 12-14psi during the time when you push the button? If so why not just run 12-14 all day long, since the fuel in the tank is good for it??? Also if you are running a pump gas set up to 7psi and your clutching is set for that when you push the button, if you have the proper fuel in sled, are you going to have issues with the clutch not performing to power increase? We had a sled with NOS and it ran like an animal when it was on the sauce but when he was not on the button it ran worse than stock because he had the clutching set more for when the nos was on. I like the idea of being able to have more power when you need it so someone please shed some light on this for me. Thanks

 

[MCIVER]

you can't run high boost without the fuel quality and quantity that the psi level requires. the reason for something like push to pass is for say boondocking where 14 psi might be to much of a handfull. so you set your boost to 8psi but if you need the extra power you can hit the button and go up to 14 psi. it's not the most usefull feature on the pump gas systems since you can't go very high on the boost.

clutching wont be exact but it will still work. since your running your sled at the set boost for 99% of the time the clutching will be set for that, but for those short blasts the clutching wont be perfect but it will do the job for the short time.

 

[jgw50]

I think you’re on the right track. It seems that Boondockers new electronic boost control has some advantages but many of the features seem like things that I would not find terribly useful. They certainly do make a good kit and there are lots of advantages to having an electronic boost controller from a spool up, boost spike point of view. I think BD probably started out with the idea for an electronic boost controller and then since it was just a little more programming to add some features they did. Regardless, I think the electronic boost controller is a good idea, but as far as the extra features...

The changing boost for elevation is a very cool idea and would have some effect, but the difference in atmospheric pressure from 7000 feet to 10000 feet is about 1.2 psi. I ride from 7000 to 10000 exclusively, so getting an adjustment of 1psi for altitude is cool, and I’d take it if it were free, but it’s not worth that much more. 1.2 psi equates to about 7 horsepower for a pump gas M8 and my clutching is more than forgiving enough to deal with that variance. I ASSUME that all BD had to do for this option was add a second MAP sensor to their outfit that references changes in atmospheric pressure. That’s how everyone else does it.

The push to pass seems like a cool "turbo boost" button to get people’s attention. I have visions of the yellow / black striped tape and putting a red guard over it like you were on a fighter jet. That would be cool, but the coolest part about running boost is that it’s like running unlimited nos. It’s a much better idea to tune your sled for the basic boost you want and just run it. If you want a cool button, maybe nitrous is a better way to go? If you don't like the added power of more boost when riding regularly, do you really want to get into a tough situation, and then push the button? I have some pretty good ideas of how that would play out for me! This would also be very easy to add, just a switch and some programming.

So, take it for what it’s worth. Please to take this post as bashing BD's new controller. I like electronic controllers and I think if BD ever delivers their parts to the people who paid for them most will like them very much. I just don't see too much use in the altitude compensation and the push to pass. If I were marketing a controller, I’d add the same stuff, but in reality it’s not worth all that much TO ME.