260DET Posted January 24, 2002 Share Posted January 24, 2002 Rather than using a pneumatic controlled wastegate with its attendant problem of wastegate creep, has anyone tried making up a control using an electric solenoid? The idea is to use an adjustable air pressure switch tapped into the existing turbo outlet and wired to a solenoid to open the wastegate when the set amount of boost is reached. Would not cost a lot to make. Anyone tried this? See any problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 ....are you talking about using an electrical solenoid to open the wastegate....that seems like it might be tricky.....(getting the solenoid to open just the right amount at the right time)...what do you plan on using to coordinate the vacuum/pressure with the wastegate/solenoid position. I would think that Grainger would probably have the parts to do it.....but it sounds pretty tricky.might be pretty expensive too... ......s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Try a ball valve controller instead like the Hallman Boost controller (http://www.hallmanboostcontroller.com). It blocks the signal to the wastegate until the desired pressure is reached and therefore, no wastegate creep. I'm running one on my Subaru Legacy Turbo. Boost level is rock solid and spool-up is excellent. There are also some sites out there for DIY ball valve controllers if you want to save some $. Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 I'm using the Blitz Dual SBC to control my wastegate. I believe that you could build this type of control, without all the "bells and whistles" of course. Check it out here www.blitz-na.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 The MSRP for the Dual SBC is $550! The Hallman is $50, and you can build your own for under $10. If you don't have a need for multiple boost levels, I'd stick with a ball valve controller. Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 5, 2002 Author Share Posted February 5, 2002 Thanks all, I'll check that Hallman setup out. The proposed solenoid idea would just bang the wastegate wide open once the set pressure had been reached. Which is what I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean73 Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I've been playing around with a similar idea. The two main ingredients are: 1) an adjustable boost pressure switch (Ebay - $20) 2) an electric solenoid valve (off a junkyard turbo Saab; aka APC valve) Basically, plumb the solenoid valve so it blocks the wastegate boost signal. Wire the boost pressure switch so that it energizes the solenoid at a fixed boost level. When the solenoid is energized, the wastegate sees boost as it normally would, and opens accordingly. This is no different then a ball valve type wastegate controller, except it's done electronically. It may or may not work any better, but the parts are cheap and I might try it. I think the electronic solution may be more responsive to sudden changes in manifold pressure. I have a ball/spring type, and I frequently overboost when I smash the accelerator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Please keep us updated on this. Can you take pictures of the installation as well? !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 19, 2005 Author Share Posted February 19, 2005 I'd forgotten about that but now that 'the big upgrade' is nearly finished it might be resurrected. Solenoids can be bought from DIY electronics places, have to watch out for the dreaded turbo heat effect on electrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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