Internal Wastegate Adjustment?

[CAV3MAN227]

-I'm running just a regular TD04. I got curious about the internal wastegate and its adjustment bar. Would it ever need adjustment? How do you set it correctly? Would you benefit from turning it in more (clockwise), making it more stiffer? (while on the car) etc. etc. I think I can safely say that, in the end the ecu will still control no matter what adjustments you make, but I'm just curious. This video is what got me wondering and if it applies to me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p12g1PpIcjE
-Could anyone shine some light on this for me and others? Links, videos, descriptions, etc. I would greatly appreciate it.

-Joe

[Legacy777]

Joe,

You really shouldn't need to adjust the wastegate actuator. Some people try and up the preload if they get boost creep or are having issues with boost control, but they're fixing a symptom vs. the actual problem.

Are you experiencing any issues that would warrant adjusting the wastegate actuator?

[CAV3MAN227]

-I would say not really. It was more of a curiosity thing. The only things I notice with my setup is, if I mash the pedal to the floor, I'll get a boost spike, which doesn't really matter to me, but if I ease into full throttle the spike doesn't happen. I also sometimes get break ups, (pauses) in power sometimes when in full throttle, prob. mid rpm range to redline. Seems like if I let the car warm up, get out of the road and give it a few full throttles first, then the boost seems a little smoother from there on out.
-Thanks for your reply.

-Joe

[wtdash]

Interesting as my Revtronix chip using the stock BCS @ 16.5 PSI had the same behavior in the earlier versions of the chip. The Rev tuner never suggested adjusting the WG arm - he just programmed the newer chips not to boost spike.

When I had a bigger turbo than the TD04 it would also do the initial boost spike and then work fine...even w/newer chips.

I'd head over to NASIOC and read up on adjusting this...I can't point to any threads specifically, but I know it was covered.

Td

[CAV3MAN227]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824323

^After reading quite a few different posts, I'm going to do some testing, 1/2 turn at a time and see what happens.

EDIT: One thing I noticed right away was, after pulling the c-clip off, I need to invest in a bellmouth DP!

-Joe

[Legacy777]

Actually going to a more free flowing exhaust will likely cause more boost spikes/overboosting.

[kimokalihi]

That thread mentions ruining your factory boost control solenoid by adjusting too much preload on the spring causing it to have to cycle too quickly and burning it out trying to prevent boost spikes past boost threshold. This isn't a problem with a manual boost controller I'm assuming?

[Legacy777]

The other thing you have to note is that the newer boost control setups use a bleed type controller. The turbo Legacy has a superior boost control setup which uses a "blocking" type controller.

The issue mentioned about ruining the solenoid should not be an issue with the MBC.

I would guess that they WAY over tightened the spring if they caused the solenoid to fail.

[CAV3MAN227]

-I would have to say no, since it is by-passed with the mbc, but don't quote me!

-I just took the car out for a drive, (no freeway yet), I had to turn it 2, 360° turns (4, ...half turns) to get any pre-load. Based on what I know about this now, I'm a half turn in from it barely fitting on the flapper. Based on the video in my first post, looks like I need to go another 5 1/2, half turns for proper pre-load. But already, the car feels better. I hear less, what seems to be, very small amount of turbo flutter. I punched it once in 3rd, cant go very fast in my neighborhood, and didn't see a spike, but I really need to get on a freeway to fully know.

-Joe

[Legacy777]

You really should only have a very little amount of preload. I didn't watch the video cause I'm at work, but it shouldn't be a pain in the butt to attach the wastegate solenoid arm.

[CAV3MAN227]

^ no it was not for me right now. Like I said, I'm a half turn in, now, from it easily slipping on and off the valve top.

EDIT: I just wonder, in the video, in the first post, applies to all turbos or not.

-Joe

[wtdash]

There is a some 'give' in the WG actuator bracket where it mounts on the turbo - if you're running out of adjustment. As long as it's not tweaking the direction of the WG arm too much, I'd think it'd be OK.
TD

[kimokalihi]

I was just asking if the manual boost controller would wear out. The factory solenoid is no longer connected so that's no concern. I'm pretty sure the mbc is fine due to it being a simple spring and ball bearing.