Manual v. Electronic Boost Controller
 

I've had both (Manual in GSX, Electronic in RX-7) - I can't tell the difference other than the price.

Make an argument for your preferred method.

Well, a properly designed electronic controller can be set up to maximize the area under the boost curve with a minimum of overshoot. You can get a pretty decent curve with the ball-and-spring type manual controllers but it will never be quite as good. Now...will the better area under the curve translate into performance that's actually noticeably better? Good question, I have no idea.

Of course, you can get more bells and whistles with the electronic controllers as well, but if you just want to set it and forget it those things really don't help.

jds

I prefer Manual, Turbo XS HP is the best controller out. It wont spike like most electric boost controllers and manuals and it will hold steady boost from 0-40+ psi. You can't ask for anything better then the turbo xs. Electronic boost controllers seem to be laggy at times as well.

Well, anything can be poorly designed, whether its electronic or mechanical. Not sure what you mean by laggy...you mean the controller response is too slow causing spikes? Or it allows the wastegate to start opening too soon, slowing down the rise time? Either way, that wouldn't be a symptom of the controller being electronic, just a symptom of the controller being crappy :D

jds

^^ hehe well i won't say my opinion..bc/ i don't have a turbo :(:(:( but soon...very very soon...

hmm okay well not too soon. hahaha

seriously though i've been in cars that hav ehad electronic boost controlers..they worked great..not "laggy" (whatever that implies). they were HKS...very ncie set up. just my .02 i think bureau13 is right just get a well designed one who cares if its' mechanical of electronic just get the one that is best for you..if you want bells and whistles..or if you want to set it and forget it. :D

The main difference, especially on a properly sized turbo, will be response.

Lets say you have your wastegate can set for 6 PSI. This will mean that the can will start to open at 3 PSI and be fully open by 6 PSI. Now, using a manual boost controller, you bleed a bit of the wastegate signal off, causing the whole response curve to move up a few PSI. The can will be fully open at 9 PSI, but it will still start to open at 5 PSI or so.

An electronic boost controller will hold the wastegate completely closed until a preset level and then will modulate the opening to hold a precise amount of boost.

The effect of this is that you will get your full 9 PSI much earlier that with a manual controller and much more precisely. It also allows you to tailor the curve to fit the RPM of the engine and eliminate spikes.

Additionally, the functionality that comes along with the package can be pretty impressive. On my E-01, I can watch logs of my boost response over RPM and time, adjust for two different boost levels on the fly, set up warning chimes to let me know if I have adjusted my boost beyond a safe limit and set the boost for individual gears.
This is along with its other features like datalogging, display, E-Manage programming, etc.

well . . . I think I'm going with TurboXS's high performance manual boost controller, its got a ball and spring mechanism for large boost pressure increases and a bleed valve for precise pressure settings - the ball and spring keeps things shut until the preset boost is hit so creep is reduced . . . a lot of Honda guys use it (including my friend with a 650 whp Civic - scary car).

With the $ I save I'm going for a GReddy Electronic Boost Gauge with warning and an output - that way I can wire the output up to the e-Manage and tune for boost like a stock-turbo car rather than dealing with throttle and rpm position and this stupid stumble I keep getting.

Is this a unit from XS Engineering ? My friend had his Gen 3 RX7 worked on there & they messed it up, then tried to blame him. Came back later they screwed up the ECU programming. Also the guys over on the Celica site had a big problem with them, as they sold the turbo kit to the Celica 1.8 DOHC and the first several units basically failed. The welds on the intercoolers cracked open & basically they didn't cover it.

No this isn't XS Engineering, its TurboXS
www.turboxs.com

I have about 3100 posts on the Celica board - definately know to avoid XS like the plague.

Ahh, TurboXS. Home of the broken Neons...

Okay, I am bumping this since it is the only thread I could find about this specific topic. I am close to startup on my build and I have been tossing around the idea of using a manual boost controller just for simplicity and precision.

I have read a lot on both subjects and understand some of the benefits and draw backs of each type of controller but I would like to see what some of your opinions are on teh subject now that many have been boosted for years.

I am leaning towards the Joe P manual Boost controller. It is a superior ball and spring type controller and has some great reviews. Opinions are welcome, thanks guys.

Joe P "S" version for low boost applications running up to 5 psi over waste-gate pressure.

http://www.joepmbc.com/images/MBC%20pics/pro1.jpg
http://www.joepmbc.com/images/MBC%20pics/pro3.jpg

I have a Blitz DUAL-SBC Spec-R boost controller and love it!
Works great and very easy to use.
It's by far the best boost controller I've used.
I would recommend it!

qft


The benefit of better response is worth the extra $ IMO .

Yeah I have also heard of boost creep issues and spikes with EBC's. And on this motor that scares me. I had an Apexi EBC on my RSX and did not like and eventually went with a Turboxs MBC which worked ok. Maybe I go with this one for now and then I will save up for a EBC.

all this time, i thought you had planned on doing it right the first time... ;)

Yeah, well times are tough with Christmas coming so in order to afford the small fortune I will spend on my kids I have to save a little now :lol:

where do you get the joe p from??

http://www.joepmbc.com/

Also check out www.boostcontroller.com

thanks, that may be my last purchase for awhile.

:lol: I have been saying that for the last 10 purchases.