Boost HELP!!!!

[alexvilla]

Hi,
I’ve been having this problem for almost a year now, and it is driving me crazy!!! : It al started when I bought the abd racing/split second boost controller… I had a professional tuning business to install it because I didn’t want to cut wires on the ECU harness, then all my problems started first of all it was a pain in the ass to calibrate that thing!! then it was not holding the boost after 4000 rpms and sometimes the boost was really inconsistent thru rpms, they told me I needed to modify some other things in order to make it work properly, abd racing recommends the 4bar FPR and performance DV, and they also told me to change the N75, and some friends told me that I needed exhaust… so I am not rich and I started buying stuff, now I finally have the N75J valve, Forge 007, silicone TIP,PCV,&DV hoses, 4bar FPR, 3”to2.5” downpipe (cat-less) and a magnaflow exhaust, and the F***** boost controller is doing the SAME thing , sometimes even worst, it gets to the point that when I put the pedal to the floor, without letting it off, the car goes from 14 psi to 5 psi BACK AND FORWARD like crazy!!!! And sometimes it misfires like a freaking MSD 2step … this usually happens on second and third gear, but when I shift to fourth the cars feels super heavy, also sometimes on second and third gear the when the psi’s are going up and down I feel like it needs more gas because the car kind of just stops on the rpms instead keep going up (this happens usually around 4000-5000rpms)… but I don’t really know much boosted cars (this is my first boosted car)…. This thing is really driving me crazy, should I just pay for somebody to uninstall the split second boos controller??? Any suggestions???? Anything will help….

Ps. I already change all 4 coils (autozone brand), and sparkplugs (bosch)…. My car its been using 91 octane gas since 6 months ago (highest we have in EL PASO)

Thanks a lot for your help in advance…

i almost forgot.... MY CAR IS A 2002 NEW BEETLE 1.8T

I am willing to do anything necessary for you to help me, I can upload videos pics or anything you need this thing is really driving me nuts!!!!!!!!

[noR]

Yeah, disconnect the SS Boost controller and break it with a hammer. I've never recommended that product and try to warn people everytime they've brought it up.

That was the big mistake right there.


Yes, pay someone to uninstall the boost controller.

If you want more boost, the sensible thing to do for a 2002 is to get an APR, GIAC, or REVO chip/upgrade. It's more expensive than a boost controller that doesn't work; but ... that's because they work. And they work right, and they work well.

Rip the garbage out. And whatever you do, DON'T do that 14psi->5psi->14psi->5psi thing any more. It's VERY tough on your turbo.

Great list of mods, I hope the SS Boost controller doesn't spoil the whole thing for you. But ABD can suck a toe; they're very over-stated.

For many years they didn't build anything for beetles, and then when they did, it was garbage like "carbon fiber engine covers" and "strut tower bars". Oh, and a pipe or two.

[fordtruck]

APR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. New South Performance has a
nifty boost gauge. My VW 1.8T puts out 235 HP with
APR Mod (Boost to 18 PSI) K&N Cold Air and Magna Flow
catback.

[sleeper bug]

i was just having the same problem on mine. It would boost up to about 35k to 4k and lost boost. so i checked my forge 007(make sure its not sticking)first i made sure it was not the n75 messing up.. which i bypassed it. then i made sure ALL lines where on.. what my problem was my waste gate line broke off the waste gate many times.. i finally got a good grip on it. now thing runs like a champ!!

oh p.s. your car is sick!!

[alexvilla]

Thanks guys..... so I’ll pay for someone to uninstall that pieces of SH******, that cost me $350 installed, and it is F*** useless

what makes me mad is thatI went to a local “performance or tuning shop” but now i know that they now NOTHING about European cars…,thay can only tune Hondas because they told me that was the best thing to do to my car (I was totally new on boost & European cars so they I believe them ) big mistake!! I hope they can uninstall that thing without messing something up…
But that thing is going out of my beetle ASAP!!!

[Genifer Teal]

Originally Posted by fordtruck

APR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. New South Performance has a
nifty boost gauge. My VW 1.8T puts out 235 HP with
APR Mod (Boost to 18 PSI) K&N Cold Air and Magna Flow
catback.

Sounds impressive. How do you know it puts out 235 HP? Have you dynoed it? Do you have a time slip? I am not questioning your integrity. My car "should" have more power than the time slip showed. I am wondering if others are really getting what they expect. What your performance numbers are based on.

Gen

[budget90gst]

I'm not an expert on SS boost controllers but have you tried lowering the boost to see how the car would react? Sounds like your car is overboosting and hitting limp mode then back to normal. It also sounds like your only hitting soft limp mode since it's able to reset back to normal hence 14 psi (normal) - 5 psi (limp mode). I do believe you're suppose to calibrate the boost controller for your specific car which sounds like they did not know how to do so they immediately had you start buying other mods that have nothing to do with the boost controller problems....eitherway, good luck!

[alexvilla]

Originally Posted by budget90gst

I'm not an expert on SS boost controllers but have you tried lowering the boost to see how the car would react? Sounds like your car is overboosting and hitting limp mode then back to normal. It also sounds like your only hitting soft limp mode since it's able to reset back to normal hence 14 psi (normal) - 5 psi (limp mode). I do believe you're suppose to calibrate the boost controller for your specific car which sounds like they did not know how to do so they immediately had you start buying other mods that have nothing to do with the boost controller problems....eitherway, good luck!

I’ve tried everything… low boost... high boost… I even turn it “off”… same thing … I am going to run the car today with the vag com… see what I can find out, then I am going to take that thing off

[budget90gst]

If you tried running with stock (low) boost and it's still acting up, then the problem might be something/somewhere else. Maybe a boost/vacuum leak? Or maybe they installed the controller incorrectly. Let us know how it turns out eitherway. Good luck!

[alexvilla]

Originally Posted by budget90gst

If you tried running with stock (low) boost and it's still acting up, then the problem might be something/somewhere else. Maybe a boost/vacuum leak? Or maybe they installed the controller incorrectly. Let us know how it turns out eitherway. Good luck!

There is a chance that they didn’t install it correctly… although I’ve heard bad feedback from that product… anyways I’ll keep posting updates

[Turbomania]

The lesson learned here is to not install products that are not in sync with our engine management systems. Also, an even bigger lesson is to not allow performance shops to mess with your VW unless they are very familiar with our 1.8 turbo systems. A VW New beetle is not a Honda!! This engine management system that allows our 1.8 turbos to run so well for so long is extremely complex. Any after market performance mods must operate within the confines of our specific ECU's other wise you can ruin your engine from fuel starvation, prededonation and bad timing. Especially true where only 91 octane gas is available like El Paso. Don't just throw parts at it to over come a bad product to begin with... Many subscribers to this site have actual experience with installation of after market controllers and have found out that a chip change within the ECU is the best way to go... Good Luck getting rid of this menace... JK

[alexvilla]

Originally Posted by Turbomania

The lesson learned here is to not install products that are not in sync with our engine management systems. Also, an even bigger lesson is to not allow performance shops to mess with your VW unless they are very familiar with our 1.8 turbo systems. A VW New beetle is not a Honda!! This engine management system that allows our 1.8 turbos to run so well for so long is extremely complex. Any after market performance mods must operate within the confines of our specific ECU's other wise you can ruin your engine from fuel starvation, prededonation and bad timing. Especially true where only 91 octane gas is available like El Paso. Don't just throw parts at it to over come a bad product to begin with... Many subscribers to this site have actual experience with installation of after market controllers and have found out that a chip change within the ECU is the best way to go... Good Luck getting rid of this menace... JK

You are absolutely right man! They wanted to treat my beetle as a Honda… and I have to say that they are really good with other cars than Hondas, but they sure don’t know a thing about VW or Europeans… tomorrow me and my mechanic (he is also my friend) are going to datalog my beetle with VAGCOM and do some test drives also… but I am almost sure that I am going to take out that boost controller, and try to sell to and other 1.8T owner because the boost controller it’s made specifically for 1.8T cars, so if anyone wants it …… lol!!! j/k but it might work on a Honda or Acura…

[alexvilla]

here is a video.... bad video but it is just for reference

YouTube - Boost problem

[alexvilla]

after the datalog and test drives, my mechanic said that my issue is fuel cuts... so i need to replace my fuel filter, and clean the injectors with seafoam and lucas injector cleaner, then get new spark plugs... and it will hopefully fix my crazy issue

[noR]

and if (read:when) that doesn't... please replace that super silly boost controller.

Turbomania hit it on the head with his openning sentance:

The lesson learned here is to not install products that are not in sync with our engine management systems.

Don't try to TRICK the system into thinking it's getting less boost than it's actually receiving. Don't try to trick the system into pulling timing at the appropriate time.

Just USE the system to your advantage, it's already measuring air flow and fuel rates, why not just TELL the system to apply more? THAT'S how a chip works; it enhances the complex system to work FOR you... as opposed to trying to outsmart the system of complex sensors and solenoids.

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by alexvilla

after the datalog and test drives, my mechanic said that my issue is fuel cuts... so i need to replace my fuel filter, and clean the injectors with seafoam and lucas injector cleaner, then get new spark plugs... and it will hopefully fix my crazy issue

If those were suggested to you, I sure hope you're not paying for them... they aren't the problem.

[alexvilla]

Originally Posted by FarrisK

If those were suggested to you, I sure hope you're not paying for them... they aren't the problem.

I am really hoping that is the issue... this is my last try before removing the boost controller... (I am going to remove it sooner o later, but I don’t have the money to get it removed and get chipped right now) i am also getting a boost gauge (on its way right now)… will see… I’ll keep you guys updated…. BTW did you watch the video?

[alexvilla]

so I cleaned my car with seafoam, and blew a spark, so I changed all 4 sparks and changed the fuel filter too (it was terribly dirty!!)... the car is running a little bit smoother... and it seems to run OK with the boost controller but only when the car is cold… so I may need more cooling (FMIC) or a water methanol kit( I am thinking of buying this anyway),I forgot to mention that el paso is always at 100+ degrees but anyways I am tired of it so I just ordered the boost gauge and as soon as I install the boost gauge that abd racing electronic boost controller is going out of my beetle!!!!