I have the saab turbo setup on my Eco. I've been having a problem with the turbo falling on its face in the higher RPM range. It seems like even if I have the boost set to 10 or 11 at redline I'm maxing at 8psi. Is this because the turbo is simply too small and can't flow enoguh cfm? Any suggestions...?
This is very frustrating because I am trying to beat my freinds 99 ls1 6speed camaro. I am very cose and I think if I could hold full boost (10ish) till redline I could pull it off.
2004 Cavalier
13.2@105........
Mods...
BFG Drag Radials
Saab Turbo kit
2.5 exhaust, w/cutout
Spec Stage 2+ Clutch
yes they are very small turbo's. They spool up VERY fast but die in the upper end. which saab turbo do you have? the garrett or mitsu?
Proud member of Jbody of Kentucky ... Click on sig to go!
are you runnin 93 octane?
i had the saab turbo and it ran perfect all the way to redline.
i had a similar syptom that you are having cause i had to low of an octane in it.
try getting a boost controller. to up the boost instead of relying on the wastegate. I knwo its capable of more because we were running close to 15 on mine w/ no problems.
and it twas the mitsubishi tdo4
Snowman wrote:are you runnin 93 octane?
i had the saab turbo and it ran perfect all the way to redline.
i had a similar syptom that you are having cause i had to low of an octane in it.
try getting a boost controller. to up the boost instead of relying on the wastegate. I knwo its capable of more because we were running close to 15 on mine w/ no problems.
and it twas the mitsubishi tdo4
you ran 15psi on the stock motor or was it built??
Proud member of Jbody of Kentucky ... Click on sig to go!
stock motor
running the gm reflas and adjustable fpr.
It ran fine and was in the 11.2-11.6 @ wot.
You're running a 13.9 @ 100 mph on 8 psi, fast enough to be in the top 10 Eco powered J-Bodies on this entire site. Yet you think your turbo is too small...
A turbo is only too small if it can't flow enough air to support the power level you desire. For a stock motor it is not too small, unless you plan on blowing you motor.
- 93 mph in the 1/8 mile
Member of J-Body Of Michigan.
Ok I have a newbie question.... If he went with a slightly larger charge piping (say 2.25 or 2.5) would that help him out on the top end without causing too much lag?
Proud member of Jbody of Kentucky ... Click on sig to go!
A tdo4 turbo can hold 15psi at redline without a problem. Either get a stiffer wastegate spring or a boost controller. You can make a manual boost controller with parts from home depot if you wanna hold a budget. Make sure you have a wideband first though before you do anything with the boost.
Not to thread jack, but why is everyone so scared of blowing they're stock motors on more than 10psi. I've been over that for almost a year, and at 15psi since May. I drive the car... hard. She's not burning oil and runs a solid 11.8-12.0 afr at wot. I have all the parts to put my motor together. Just gotta find some time. One of my friends is also running in the 12-15psi range on a stock motor as well. He also doesn't have any problems. Both are eco's if that has anything to do with it.
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4 Cams...32 Valves...5 Liters...This Could Get Fun!
Thanks for all the helpful info. I think I will try a stiffer wastegate spring to start.
The good news is that I drove over 6hours to the beach yesterday in like 95 degree heat and the car made it fine. I down at ocean city right now, so I won't be able to tinker with anything till I get back on Saturday.
As far as the boost problem. It jumps up to like 11psi then steadily drops to about 8 before redline. I would rather not change turbos right now. Thats not in the budget.
I'll worry about it when I get back from Vaca!
2004 Cavalier
13.2@105........
Mods...
BFG Drag Radials
Saab Turbo kit
2.5 exhaust, w/cutout
Spec Stage 2+ Clutch
just an idea....did you check all your chargepipes of leaks? I played around one weekend @ 12psi and didnt see any drop off.
i run 12-14 psi constantly with only and fmu and adjustable regulator controlling my fuel, no reflash or hptuners. Fuel holds fine at those levels and has been running that way for almost 6 months now. As skunk said above, I dont understand why everyone is so scared of blowing a stock motor at over 10psi?
<aDdiCtEd 2 BoOsT>...EcOtEc...Yes it has 4 cylinders, yes it will beat your 8 cylinders!!!
Honestly pushing those boost levels on a stock ecotec is really a crap shoot. It might hold and it might not. It is not built to do that but if you run safe fuel and it seems to hold together fine then I say go for it. There is more than one example in this thread alone of them holding together just fine. If it's the only car you have to drive you may want to be a little bit more conservative with the levels you push. Also a mentioned above boost leak testing is very important in getting the max hp out of the car. If the boost gauge is bouncing around a lot it is probably leaking. Fix all the boost leaks on a car and you will be greatly rewarded for your efforts.
I'll check for leaks when I get back tomorrow.
2004 Cavalier
13.2@105........
Mods...
BFG Drag Radials
Saab Turbo kit
2.5 exhaust, w/cutout
Spec Stage 2+ Clutch
