21 lbs of boost - no knock, no alcohol?

[zam70]

Installed my hybrid SMC kit. After installing it I hit it a few times (engine off) to make sure it was primed and whatnot. Got curious and took the up pipe off so I could see the spray pattern (nozzle is in the converter) Hit it a few more times to see the spray pattern (engine still off)...cool

So out I go for a test run. Off I go and the alcohol comes on way early, no big deal, turned it up until it was coming on when I wanted it.

Next, turn up the boost...
So I turn the alcohol off to find my max boost/no knock, no alcohol. Turn it up, let er rip...no knock. Up it goes some more, no knock....I'm up to 20 lbs, no knock and the car is runnin' like a raped ape.
I know the knock gauge/sensor is working because I get a little blip everynow and then when idleing and letting off (according to t-link and the knock gauge, false I presume)

SO - up it goes some more. Now I've got my actuator maxed, my bleeder maxed open and I'm running 21 lbs boost NO knock NO alcohol...WTF

Here's my theory, I think while playing with the turn on and test buttons I might have dumped a bunch down into the intercooler, NOW, when I run it hard it's picking up some as it blast through the intercooler hence fending off any knock...Does this sound possible. It's kinda weird, I'm wanting knock and I can't get any! High boost actuator is on it's way and we'll see what happens then.
Any other ideas?

ALSO, why the hell am I topping out at 21 lbs? I run a TE60 with a MPE IC. Nothing seems to be leaking, car runs great. It just hits a brick wall at 21 lbs.

TIA
Scott

 

[lost2a6]

I too had this problem with my boost, I installed the stronger actuator and this helped but only a little. What I discovered was valve float. I replaced my springs with stronger ones and bingo I have all the boost that I want.
Steve

 

[zam70]

already got new ones...the CC ones.

I DO have a problem with my trans shifting early (4500) that will be remedied this week...Guess that could be the problem with the boost limit

How about 21 lbs, NO alcohol???

 

[turbo buicks]

well with good i/c and a efficient turbo abd lots of fuel i could maybe see t on a good cool day and good cool down. i was running 18 psi w/o a hint of KR and according to the 02s i had enough fuel for proabably another 2-3 lbs. if you arent getting any KR on 21 lbs, why complain. some cars are just different then others. some cars cant handle 12 lbs w/o KR on 93. i doubt the 4500 rpm limit is your boost problem. if you arent making full boost by 4500 something is wrong, assuming you have a properly sized turbo and converter.

 

[GotGas8668]

are you still hooked up through the wastegate solenoid? if so you might consider running a manually adjustable valve there to change boost levels on my car i have just unplugged the line to the wastegate solenoid and then added a valve that works similar to the one you have on your water faucet in the back yard it works great adds less restriction to kinda trick the wastegate

 

[zam70]

Not complaining - not at all. Just curious. More worried that it's going to suprise me one of these days especially if there is some alcohol pooled in the bottom of the IC (I'm going to check that tonight).

I run a full manual controlled wastegate (rod, bleeder and "poppet" valve), no ECM solenoid in the system at all...ME16 chip as well.

 

[turbo buicks]

IMO i dout the alky puddled in the i/c b/c once i sat and held the test button down for like 10 secs and when i left and it hit 1 psi the engine almost died it bogged so bad from all the alky in the i/c.