Manual Boost controlling a 850 Turbo wagon
 

what would be the maximum safe boost for a 850 Turbo not a t5r?

I am running at 15psi with a manual boost controller on an IPD ECU. But, on a factory ECU you will hit fuel cut off about there so you would be safer around 13-14. There is very little difference at 15psi, the turbo is literally maxed out. No more umph.

Agreed I would not go past like 13 or 14.
Also remember due to temp change if you are closer to like 14.5 and it gets cold I will bet you will hit fuel cut.

I would aim for more like 13.

This is like a 95 isn't it?
If so then it is basically a T5.

Yes its a 95 i want to put a manual boost controller on my wagon. what does it run stock? also which vaccum line would i attach the boost controller to

cars vary in boost. My Yellow was supposed to be 10 from the factory and was only at 7.

Make sure you have an aftermarket gauge in there first.

Basically the MBC goes between the compressor side of the turbo and the waste gate.

will the headgasket be good up to that on a regular basis?

My wifes car (White one in sig) has 250K on it and runs 14 PSI everyday.

sweet, bow big a difference does it make feel wise while driving?

:) ...thats what your face will look like.

I will take a picture of my MBC tomorrow so you can see the lines.

I dug everything out so you can see it. Basically you take the two outer vacuum lines off the stock controller and put them on the MBC. Pay attention to the flow direction of your MBC. The output should be going to the wastegate actuator.

I ran my 94 850 at 13 PSI with just a MBC and it was night and day. It is so worth it, just make sure you have a good boost gauge so you know how much post the car is getting.

Oh, and my 850 had 195K on it when I threw the MBC on it.

sweet thanks for the pics that makes a big difference the car has 189k it so i should definitly be good :)

Don't worry about your headgasket, that will be fine, unless the car has been neglected before you got it, I wouldn't worry about it. I'll be running 15-17 PSI on a 19T, and I have no concerns what so ever about the head gasket holding up.

Is there a specific MBC I should be getting for my car? Any particular brands or models?
What else do I need, just some vacuum hosesand the Controller + a Boost Gauge? Where does the guage go hooked up? (sorry im a real noob when it comes to turbos)

not really im looking for a grainger mbc to put on my 850. a boost gauge is a boost gauge. autolite make some decent ones. i just bout one for my car. i wish the factory gauge had a psi reading on it like my turbo dodges do lol. the gauge hooked up goes in where ever you wanna put it in the cabin, i have a pod for mine. though i might mount it in the center somewhere. you just have to run a vacuum line to it from a somewhat major vacuum source

I see, simple enough :)
Last question, when setting the amount of boost, for example 12PSI, the car has to be on, you turn the little knob on the MBC, then what? Engine has to be rev'd to full boost to see it on the gauge right? Does the engine need a load on it (like does it have to be moving or just rev the engine in neutral?)

You have to adjust it by driving it and adjusting a little at a time.

I would fully disagree with that. First off, a boost gauge is not just a boost gauge. There are electronic and mechanical boost gauges, electronic boost gauges are the best the vacuum line goes to a diaphragm and then the readings are sent to the gauge electronically. Mechanical gauges the boost line gets hooked up directly onto the gauge. And if you get a cheap gauge, they can become uncalibrated over time. Manual boost gauges are different too, IMO I wouldn't spend less than 50 bucks on a MBC, but a lot of cars that I have looked at that have a MBC spend around 100. With a cheap MBC the probably of getting boost spikes is higher, boost coming it at unpredictable times, boost fade, etc etc. So don't cheap it, do it once and do it right.

You got a point there for sure. :) how do the electrical ones work? Also What you think of the Autometer Pro comp ultra lite gauges? please forgive my naive answer:o
also what MBC would you recommend?

Haha, it's fine, here to help.

Instead of the the vacuum hose plugging into the back of the gauge, they plug into a little diaphragm that sends a signal to the gauge via an electrical signal (I guess that's the best way to put it), they are better and more precise and will last longer. My friend runs an autometer electrical boost gauge in is stg 2+ S4, and that's what he recommends. I'm going to get Auto Meter.

I've heard nothing but good things from this MBC:

http://www.boostcontroller.com/index.php?category=5

It's a little pricey, but you pay for what you get. Also, Forge is a reputable MBC company as well and besides that Hallman Pro, a lot of people recommend those. I had a Forge MBC that I was going to use, but then decided to use an EBC instead. For your set up, since you're pretty much stock, I would say you'd be perfectly fine with a Forge, a good $50 MBC will work without a problem.

I agree, get a named brand MBC. There are a ton of MBC's on ebay. You'll want to spend a little money on them, don't cheap out. Mines a Hallman and I only bought a named brand because I was afraid. Its been extremely reliable. Very precise.

Electronic gauges are NOT the best you can get, if anything the lag behind mechanical gauges. More or less a matter of preference, a good mechanical gauge or a good electric gauge will be ample for such low boost levels. The main thing you will be looking out for it fuel cut @ just under 1 bar pressure.

What you pay for in a MBC is basically what you get in return. The fit and finish of the Hallman Pro has been consistently better however of MBC's in a similar price range.
What it comes down to really is just shy away from the ebay special :P

is the fuel cutout 15psi on these?

15.5 to be exact.

I ordered my Hallman Pro MBC and a glowshift gauge, should be getting them soon. Im planning on setting my boost to around 13 PSI. I read somewhere that at low rpms (below 3000) anything over 10psi is dangerous for the rods. I also read that our cars run at about 5psi in first gear and can be pushed to 15psi in first by using the MBC.
Im a noob with turbo's and how MBC controls the boost. Does it simply use the same amount of boost in every gear instead of a set amount in each gear? At what RPM should i be setting my boost to 13PSI?

Sorry im really confused :S I dont feel like bending a piston rod or anything.

I am running at 15 on an automatic trans. No bent rods. The manual boost controller will stop the boost from building when it hits the level set. When the turbo spools you will have boost. The more you lay into the throttle the more boost you'll get. Yes, the boost dances around 15 on mine when I am into it and when I am just pushing it, it climbs until it reaches the balance of throttle to exhaust. Meaning its not always at 15psi, sometimes its at 5 when I accelerate, sometimes 7, etc. Its not zero then 15, your foot controls it. If your worried, set it to the stop boost of 9.6psi and drive it for awhile until you feel comfortable.

Kinda a little off topic on MBC but I was talking to my friend who is big into turbo cars and what not. He told me to just get a Greddy Profec B, because with a MBC depending on the weather boost levels will be all over the place and not very consistant. But my question is do you guys see a change in boost levels with different weather? Also will a profec B work on a 850 turbo?

I think you need to try Yoga. Calm thy senses. Its not that big of a deal. The Greddy will work and the MBC will work. Are you planning on Drag or Auto-crossing or just street driving. If you are going to go all out and need your car to be absolutely precision then the Greddy might be better suited for you. The MBC is cheap and affective. If your looking for fast, cheap thrills (who isnt) then get the MBC, slap it on and put a smile on that face. Then you can give up Yoga.

LOL I lost it when i read that..:) I think i am going to go with the MBC, because it seems 10x easier. But if I do start dumping more money into the motor I will prolly go pick up a Profec B.

That sounds like a great plan.

I am also a noob on the whole turbo thing im used to V8s with push rods, but just for clarification when you install a MBC does the MAF and other sensors correct the fuel input for the air fuel ratio or does it leave it be and lean it out? also is there a way to turn the IPD or UPsolute chip on or off sort of like the GIAC tunes for Audi's and VW's

The ECU will keep up. It is recommended that you get a new map (IPD ECU) if you plan on really above 13-14psi, sway to far and you need remapping. If boost gets to 15+ psi the fuel cuts off. You will know when you hit it. If you really go for it and change out the turbo and injectors, yes, its a must. the mapping will remove the cut off, adjust for higher fuel amounts and put a smile on the face. For what he is doing he will be fine.

Side note: you cant turn the 'chip' on and off.

thank god for this fourm. i love you guys.

So I got my boost gauge today, still waiting for the MBC i ordered. I will be installing the gauge on friday most probably regardless of if i get the MBC by then or not...I wanna know what my car is boosted at right now so i get an idea of what I will set it at later on :)
Also, today i noticed the Wastegate was tampered with. The rod to adjust it has a second hole drilled into it which is closer to the tip of the rod...does this mean my car is already running at a higher boost? it looks like its much further than the factory specs...if i have to compare it to turns on the rod, would probably be around 4-5 turns.

when you up the boost in your car as well can the factory bpv handle the boost or is this absolutely necessary (13-14 psi)

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-850/Perf...p-72-143-5223/

You might already be boosting higher.

Ya, thats what i figured...I kinda hope that im wrong, I wanna see the difference between 9.5 and like 14 psi lol...instead of 13 to 14 (not as fun). Well, i'll let you guys know friday probably when I hopefully install my boost gauge.

I am thinking not. My guess is that its a different wastegate actuator. If they changed it out or even kept the stock one and decided to do some rotations on the shaft there would be a different boost, but, if they drilled a hole in it (whether to make the new actuator work or after turning the stock one) it would be the same as if you didnt turn it.

If you turn it then drill a hole for the new location its just like you didnt turn it in the first place, your back to the same rod length. The only chance of a higher boost is if that actuator was replaced with a stronger one then drilled to fit his turbo.

Ya you have a point there, well I'll see tomorrow. No big deal lol
Just is it dangerous if the actuator rod is turned that much (4-5 turns)? What is the difference between boosting the car like that or with a MBC?

Mine is turned four, no probs.