More boost??

[tskdave]

You have all read my posts on fianally getting the 85 gn running.Seems to be running well. I am now trying to tune for more performance, have a t-link. The problem is adding more boost....screwing in the wg actuator 1 turn at a time, does not seem to increase the boost. Right now its at about 11 pounds.....no no knock, seems to still be running rich....fueling not a problem. The wg is about 1/4 before the "nub" on the puck. Running out of threads!!!!~!! Any ideas???? Thanks, Dave

 

[HOTSIX]

Cut the rod.

You can buy a long nut that you can thread either end of the rod into.
Its maybe an inch or two long - bought mine at Home Depot. Works great.
Gives you lots of room to play with.

 

[Jerryl]

Which actuator do you have? Modified OEM or HD?

Try removing the pressure side to the actuator form the "T" (Make sure you have the correct T)
Carefully (!) get into boost and see if you can get it higher. (It will spike!)
If it does, you know it is in the actuator or adjustment.

 

[tskdave]

I dont know which actuator it was allready on the car....does have threads on it. I allready cut the rod. I only cut about 1/4 " off. I did remove the t and went straight to turbo, most I saw was about 10-12 ponds. Today when I punched it from the light, boost gauge shot up to about 15.....just for a split second...then held a steady 11-12 pounds????? I can still cut more off the rod, wasn't sure how much was to much??? Thanks, Dave

 

[Jerryl]

....... I did remove the t and went straight to turbo, most I saw was about 10-12 ponds. ........

Removed as in "No T" and the hose straight to the actuator?
or
Did you have the hose from the T to the actuator disconnected?

Does the unit have a single or double hose?

 

[tskdave]

Must be the stock actuator, it has 2 ports. I took the t out entirely....straight from turbo to actuator, just to test it. Still about 11-12 lbs. I will try turning it in a few more turns to see if it helps. could this be a bad actuator??? seems to be working right... Thanks Dave

 

[Jerryl]

Must be the stock actuator, it has 2 ports.

Most likely the OEM but not necesarily. There were a few aftermarket units made with 2 hookups. - Vaccuum/pressure

.... I took the t out entirely....straight from turbo to actuator, just to test it. Still about 11-12 lbs.

The T is required to run and control boost. It has a specific orifice and you MUST keep it in place to run higher boost. Re-install the T (make SURE it is installed correctly) and then see how much boost you get. (Call this a baseline for now)

What I was trying to explain is this;
1. Remove the hose from the T to at the actuactor
2. Plug the hose
3. Drive the car and carefully see if your boost gets any higher. It should get up to pretty high so WATCH IT! If not, there are other issues.
4. Re-install the hose.
5. Adjust the rod to achieve the desired boost level.

 

[Daniel Jost]

does anyone know the part number on the "T"?

 

[FWD turbo]

11-12 lbs is right where it should be stock, so as far as that goes it is performing like it was designed to, but you should be able to get more out of it. Try this little experiment Dave:

Get rid of the "T"

Run a line straight from the turbo to the pressure port on the actuator.

Disconnect the line on the vacuum port of the actuator. Then cap off the port.

This will completely eliminate the boost solenoid and give straight mechanical control. I run mine set up like this, and I can't seem to get any LESS than 15 lbs.

Try that and see what happens. I suppose it is possible that your actuator has a faulty/worn out spring. Also, are you missing any bolts from your compressor housing? are you leaking some air under boost? Is there any smoke coming out the exhaust? Have you confirmed that you wastegate is actually closed all the way and seated/sealing properly?

 

[tskdave]

after a couple of hours checking this morning, this is what happens. I cut the wg rod more and screwed it in a couple of turns. The boost seems to go up past 11 lbs, but it just feels like boost is coming in "sooner", then alot of black smoke. Just stabbing the throttle seems to give about 5-8 lbs of boost. Almost seems like its getting to much fuel, I turned the fuel up and down with the same results. My blms at idle are 150. I know its high, but can't seem to find any vac/exhaust leaks???? Is this a bad actuator??

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I would spray carb cleaner all around where the turbo meets the block. If the idle changes you have a vacuum leak there. I blew out a screw which holds the turbo to the manifold and created a bad vacuum leak. Maybe one of the screws holding the turbo is loose and creating a leak. Just an idea. Good luck-Brad

 

[HOTSIX]

Brad - Screw that holds the turbo ?

You lost me there....what screw did u blow out that would cause a vac leak ?
My turbo is connected to the heat shield on the PS by 2 bolts on studs mounted to the turbo on a bracket - on the compressor side by a stud that is screwed into the compressor housing and attaches to a bracket mounted on the intake.

Are you talking about the stud on the compressor ?

I would definitely try the carb cleaner test - re-check all vac lines...its real easy to miss a loose connection that would allow some unmetered air into the system.

As for the black smoke....what chip / what FP / good MAF / injectors ?

Try some compressed air into a vac line hooked to the DS port of the 2 ports. When air compressed into it (the way it would under boost) the WG rod will move outwards - opening the WG puck inside the turbine housing. If it doesnt move - thats a problem. Try even pulling it outwards the way it would under boost - just to see if it will even move at all.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Hot Six- The screw ia actually a bolt. I went through 4 new turbos last year due to a pressurized block. The threads that hold the turbo into the intake(alum) became stripped and the bolt blew off due to excessive use (and boost) in replacing the turbo. My mechanic used a helocoil (sp?) in order to stop the leak, Brad

 

[84BuickGNYorkPA]

My 84 GN is only giving me 12 boost right now, to completly take the wastegate out of the picture unhook the rod and wire the waste gate shut, and see if you can then get more boost. I can't, but if you can it's a wastegate issue, I have another turbo/wastegate/throttle body on the way ($360 ebay 46,000 miles). I'll let you guys know if it was a weak turbo problem for me, I replaced every vaccum line on it, even the ones behind the intake below the turbo.
Chuck

 

[pcella84GN]

HOTSIX- Sorry to interupt, but i noticed you have added a intercooler kit to your hotair.... Where or how can i get one? Can i use a 86 intercooler and intake setup w plenum?

 

[tskdave]

Do I want to wire the wastegate closed???? Never heard that before. Dave

 

[cool 84]

Do I want to wire the wastegate closed???? Never heard that before. Dave

You can and that will take the wastegate out of the loop. Just be careful because you will now have unlimited boost. Ease into the gas slowly. No matter what people say on here, I've seen the stock turbo peg a 30psi boost guage on a stock motor with no boost control.