General Boost Control Questions
- Is an aftermarket boost gauge necessary to use a manual boost controller?
YES. An accurate aftermarket boost gauge is essential. Do not install any manual boost controller without first having an accurate aftermarket boost gauge installed. Even if your vehicle came with a boost gauge installed from the factory, the installation of an accurate aftermarket boost gauge is essential.
Many stock boost gauges that come pre-installed in your car from the factory may not read true boost when your car is modified. This is because the gauge may derive its boost reading using an algorithm that depends on inputs from various sensors. Modifying the vehicle can though off the calculation and resulting displayed boost reading.
We carry Boost Gauges... click here.
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- How high can I turn the boost on my vehicle?
We can not answer that. The reason is, every vehicle setup is different. Even vehicles of the same make, model, and model year have different maximum safe boost levels depending on the modifications made to the vehicle. You must be knowledgeable regarding the limitations of your vehicle and it's set-up, BEFORE the installation and use of a manual boost controller.
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- Are there other necessary modifications besides an aftermarket boost gauge?
Other than the MANDATORY aftermarket boost gauge, no.
HOWEVER, without making other modifications to your vehicle, you are more limited as to how high you may safely raise the turbo boost pressure level. Some typical modifications that users of manual boost controllers choose to make are:
- freeing up the intake system of the vehicle (installation of a low restriction air filter)
- freeing up the exhaust system (installation of a larger cat-back exhaust, or even more of the exhaust system)
- installation of a high flow fuel pump
- installation of high-quality spark plug wires and new spark plugs
- installation of an aftermarket engine management system or component.
There are many other modifications that can be made to your vehicle to further realize the benefits of a manual boost controller.
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- Is it easy to install one of your manual boost controllers?
Yes. With only a moderate level of mechanical ability, a typical installation takes about fifteen minutes. (Except for the the Hallman Evolution models which take longer due to the necessity of running the cable system into the cockpit.)
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- Does BoostController.com sell Bleeder-Type manual boost controllers?
No. The [all-to-common] bleeder-type controller bleeds some of the boost signal to the atmosphere resulting in slower turbo spooling. The manual boost controllers we sell send a signal to the turbo wastegate when the set boost level is achieved, not before, so boost builds more quickly and holds steady.
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- Do your boost controllers provide stable boost control?
Yes! The manual boost controllers we sell offer the best boost control available. Boost is held stable and spiking is minimized. With some applications, a small spike is realized, and it settles to the set boost level quickly and holds. If you currently have a manual boost controller and are experiencing problems with your boost, the controllers we sell will solve your problems, provided that your current problems are caused by your old boost controller. Turbo systems are relatively complex, and should you be experiencing problems from other parts of your system, no boost controller can cure them. Other causes of poor boost control include an underflowing turbo wastegate which causes boost creep (boost that rises above the desired setting), undersized turbos (which can not provide enough boost to hold desired boost levels at higher RPMs), and others.
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- Which brand of MBC that you sell do you recommend most?
One of our most asked questions and also one that has no answer. They are all of excellent quality and frankly, are the best manual boost controllers available anywhere. We have made a comparison chart for you to illustrate some of the differences between them: click here.
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- How are the models you sell different from each other?
Please see our product comparison chart (click here).
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- How does a manual boost controller work?
Please see our MBC-101 article (click here).
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- Do your manual boost controllers work with diesel engines?
Yes.
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- Can I use an MBC to LOWER my boost from the stock setting?
No. The lowest boost setting is determined by your wastegate. For example, if your set-up has a boost "feed line" running direct to the wastegate, and you are running 8 PSI at WOT, 8 PSI is your lowest boost setting. No boost controller is going to allow you to run lower than that. In fact, the installation of ANY MBC will raise your lowest boost setting. This is because you are introducing a slight restriction in the wastegate line, which will cause boost to increase slightly even if the MBC is fully open. The amount that your lowest boost setting will be raised with the installation of an MBC varies according to the application, but it is generally about 1 PSI.
If you want to lower your lowest boost setting you have to modify/change your wastegate or wastegate actuator. This may be as simply as buying and installing a wastegate spring with a lower rating.
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Our Website and Service
- Do you provide technical support?
We generally do not, but the manufacturers do. Please contact the manufacturer directly, or visit their website. For products where the manufacturer is not known, or that we manufacture and/or solely distribute we will be happy to assist you via email.
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- Where's that Javascript Horsepower Calculator that I can put on my website?
Right here:
http://hpcalc.boostcontroller.com
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- When will I receive my order?
We typically ship paid in-stock orders the same day as long as you place your order by 2:00 PM Eastern. Please read our shipping policy here. If you place your order after 2:00 PM Eastern, expect that it will be processed on the following business day.
For standard shipping, our primary shipping method is FedEx Ground. We also ship some packages via USPS Priority Mail (depending on certain factors such as destination, weight, etc.). We may also utilize the services of other carriers. For orders with standard shipping, the shipping method (FedEx Ground, USPS Priority Mail, etc.) is at our sole discretion. Orders in which all items are in-stock are typically received by customers within approximately 5 business days on the west coast, and as quickly as one day in the Western New York area.
For special express shipping methods, like overnight delivery, you must communicate with us PRIOR to placing your order. We will try to accomodate all special shipping requests, but you have to speak to us before placing your order, otherwise your order will ship via our normal shipping method, or be delayed, which can make your order be received even later than our standard shipping.
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- How do I order from outside the United States?
For CANADIAN orders:
Please call to order on our Canadian order line (it is a Toronto, Ontario number): 1-647-477-5168.
For Canadian orders, we can accept payment by credit card on the phone (we can only ship to the billing address on the account), or we can send a PayPal payment request via email (we can only ship to the PayPal confirmed address on the account).
Our standard shipping method for Canadian shipments is "USPS Global Exptress". S&H will be quoted on an order-by-order basis and is dependant upon weight, value, and destination. Brokerage charges, duties, and taxes, if any, will be payable by the importer (purchaser). The customs value that we state on the customs documentation is the actual purchase amount paid in US dollars.
For INTERNATIONAL orders Not Including Canada:
We NO LONGER ship to, or accept orders from, addresses outside the USA or Canada. Sorry.
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- Can I get my order shipped via express delivery?
Yes, we can ship your order via express delivery such as overnight, two-day, etc.
Fees for express delivery are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us PRIOR to your order. Please be aware that sending an email or leaving a voice mail after you place your order stating that you want is shipped via EXPRESS delivery may DELAY your order, since we need to obtain your payment of the additional EXPRESS SHIPPING fees prior to shipment.
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- What is your refund policy?
It is found right here.
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- What is your shipping policy?
It is found right here.
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- Can I order by sending a check or money order by mail?
Yes. Please click here for information.
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- Do you collect sales tax?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to New York State.
If your shipping address is outside of New York State, we collect NO SALES TAX.
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- Are you guys the same as Joe P?
No. We are the largest dealer of Joe P MBCs. Other than that, we are not associated with Joe P MBC. We do not / can not provide status on orders placed directly with Joe P.
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- What are your hours?
Please see THIS PAGE for our hours.
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- I've got a great *whatever*. Are you interested in selling it at BoostController.com?
We always appreciate considering new high quality products. Just contact us!
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- Do you sell 'Home Made' manual boost controllers?
No. There are too many "home made" manual boost controllers out there. While the fact in itself that they are "home made" does not inherently make them bad, they are typically sold by people that have become excited that their home made MBC has simply manipulated the turbo boost level of their car.
The principals of manual boost control are relatively simple, and unfortunately, that makes it somewhat easy for some unscrupulous people, or those that are not knowledgeable, to exploit others.
The manual boost controllers sold by BoostController.com LLC are all precision engineered, race-proven devices. They are meticulously manufactured to exact specifications. Their precise internal machining is a result of years of refinement and improvement. You simply can not find that in a "home made" manual boost controller.
Each manufacturer of the manual boost controllers sold by BoostController.com LLC has a minimum of ten years history of constant refinement and improvement to their boost control devices.
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- Can I have an order shipped to an address that is not my billing address?
No. If paying by Credit Card, BoostController.com LLC can only ship to the billing address associated with the credit card. If a different address is used during your order, the order will be cancelled. If paying by PayPal, BoostController.com can only ship to the Confirmed Address in the PayPal account. Our PayPal account is set-up to refuse any purchase from an account with an Unconfirmed Address. If paying by personal check (via mail), BoostController.com LLC can only ship to the address printed on the check.
If you suspect that your credit card account does not have your correct address on file, or if you want to request an exception to this policy, please communicate with us PRIOR to placing your order. This means actually speaking with us or exchanging emails. Orders placed with non-billing addresses, without prior communication with us, will be cancelled.
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- I did not provide my phone number.... why was my ordered cancelled?
Orders may be cancelled because of incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the purchaser. Sometimes people enter an invalid phone number such as 5555555555. This will result in order cancelation. We do not share your personal information, nor make telephone solicitation calls. The need for information such as your phone number is so we are able to contact you in the event that we need to clarify your order, advise you of order issues, and for order confirmation (fraud protection).
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- Can I order by email?
No, you may only order on our website via the secure server, by telephone, or by using our mail order form and sending it through the mail.
Sending credit card information via email is NOT a good idea -- email is inherently insecure!
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Most Common Tech Questions
- My 2G DSM won't hold boost over 13 PSI. What's wrong?
Typically, this is caused by the Blow Off Valve. The stock 2nd generation DSM BOV just can not handle the higher pressure when you turn up your boost level. It typically starts giving out at about 13 PSI. This problem is not limited to the 2G DSM (95-99 Eclipse and Talon) because the stock BOV is oftentimes the "weakest link in the chain" for other cars too. In this situation, the solution is to install a Blow Off Valve that can hold higher pressure. BoostController.com LLC can order a Blow Off Valve for you, feel free to ask for a no-obligation price quote.
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- My Auto Meter mechanical boost gauge is not pointing exactly at zero. Is there something wrong?
This is normal. When at rest (vehicle "off" or gauge not installed), the needle of an Auto Meter mechanical boost gauge may point anywhere in the "zone" by the zero. That's why the manufacuturer gave zero a "zone" instead of a tick mark like the other values on the gauge. When your engine is running, and the gauge is displaying boost or vacuum readings, it is accurate.
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- My Auto Meter AIR/FUEL Gauge does not have BACK lighting. Is it defective?
No. Unlike most other Auto Meter gauges, the Auto Meter AIR/FUEL gauges do not have backlighting in them. The only lights in the gauge are the LED's that light up to indicate the O2 sensor voltage. (Except the Cobalt series A/F gauge, which DOES have backlighting.)
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- I just received my Auto Meter pyrometer (EGT gauge) and the pointer is pointing to 500 degrees and I haven't removed it from the package yet. What's up with that?
This is normal. An Auto Meter pyrometer (EGT gauge) pointer may point anywhere while the gauge is in it's package. It will reset to the current temperature when powered on with the probe attached.
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- Can I use an Auto Meter A/F Gauge or your MODIFIED A/F Gauge with MY car?
The "stock" Auto Meter A/F Gauges and our MODIFIED A/F Gauges can be used with most cars, specifically, cars with oxygen sensors that produce a 0 to 1 volt signal.
However, some newer vehicles are being produced with what is referred to as a "wide band" oxygen sensor. Some examples of vehicles that use the wide band sensor are: PT Cruiser Turbo, Dodge SRT-4, all VW's, Subaru WRX, and many new turbo and supercharged vehicles. If you are not sure what your vehicle uses, check your oxygen sensor. If it has more than 4 wires, it's a wide band sensor. If that is the case, the A/F Gauges or MODIFIED A/F Gauges will not work with them unless you install a separate O2 sensor to drive the gauge. Auto Meter makes a sensor for just this purpose.... it is their model 2244 oxygen sensor. That O2 sensor can then be installed in your exhaust to drive these gauges. The original wide band sensor will still be required to run the stock components on the vehicle.
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- How do install and use my PLX Devices Wideband O2 Sensor Controller?
PLX Devices has complete documentation right HERE.
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- What does 2.5 inches (or whatever) equal in mm?
Click here for a conversion table.
Also available by going to: http://www.inchmm.com
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- Where can I find installation help for my AEM 30-4100 (or any AEM product)?
You can contact AEM... see their contact page here, or visit their forums here
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