GM Boost solenoid ( is it worth it?)

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by baddriver, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. baddriver

    baddriver Active Member

    Does it make sense to upgrade the boost solenoid on the WRX or STI?

    I read that it helps to remedy boost spikes, and I was thinking that if I'm planning on getting protuned by Scott Siegel at Subaru of Gwinett I might plan on switching this out on my STI before hand.

    -Jerald
     
  2. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    i upgraded to the perrin electronic boost control solenoid (EBCS) on my WRX when i upgraded the turbo on it... i still have the unit sitting at home and i'll install it on the STi sometime in the fall...

    im not sure if u should install it and drive your car without tuning for the new solenoid
     
  3. baddriver

    baddriver Active Member

    Yeah, I was thinking this would have to do it at the shop to make sure it was done in conjuction with a protune.
     
  4. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    It is my understanding that it makes tuning a tad more tedious for the tuner, however, the benefits of having a more accurate and responsive solonoid are quite welcome for the customer.
     
  5. jt money

    jt money 350hp mmm mmm Good! Supporting Member

    thats what ive heard also.
     
  6. veck

    veck Member

    Had it, tuned it, took it off and threw it in a box. Also tried the perrin EBC, its sitting in the box next to the GM unit.

    I had it installed when i had a vf24 and tried it with both a Utec and Hydra. In both cases it did not improve my spool up. It did let me hold somewhat higher boost but it was a royal pain to tune and avoid spikes. I had better results doing the helper spring trick and using the factory boost control solenoid. That improved spool up a bit and let me hold higher boost with much lower duty cycles.

    I eventually went back to my AVCR and have not looked back. It has been very predictable with the stock turbo, VF24 and VF34.
     
  7. baddriver

    baddriver Active Member

    In a world full of acronyms I must ask a noob question what's AVC-R stand for?

    I read an apexi blurb and it states that:

    "The AVC-R is the premium closed-loop electronic boost controller on the market. The AVC-R allows flexible control over virtually every aspect of boost control and adds new innovative functions such as injector pulse monitoring and gear specific boost control. Some key functions include: RPM-based boost and solenoid duty cycle control, scramble boost, self learning mode2D ghost map trace mode, analog display mode, real time replay and peak hold data modes. The AVC-R utilizes an ultra-fast microprocessor and a high quality solenoid valve to control boost."

    This also sounds like a handful to configure and sync with an ecu tune.
     
  8. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    well, since the stock sensors can't read over 22.x psi, u need something like the AVC-R is u plan to run higher boost with the factory ECU... i'll have to get an AVC-R when i upgrade turbos, whenever that may be
     
  9. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    [Hijack]
    Where are you people with AVC-R's mounting the head unit? Right now mine is sitting in the box until I can figure out where to mount it.
    [/Hijack]
     
  10. jt money

    jt money 350hp mmm mmm Good! Supporting Member

    pEd has his in the corner of the dash by the a piller. ive seen a few this way. ive also seen right on top of the steering colum if you dont have a boost guage there already.
     
  11. veck

    veck Member

    i mounted mine where the clock used to be. I got a factory pod and made a faceplate to fit the AVCR.

    As far as interfacing it with an ecu tune goes, it was easy to do with the UTEC, even easier with the Hydra and still pretty darn simple with Street Tuner which is what I'm running now.
     
  12. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member



    Do you have any pictures? I have the stock gauge pack and would be willing to ditch the guages if it looks halfway decent. The only thing I don't like about that option is loosing my oil temp guage.
     
  13. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    I prefer to see them mountedto the leftof the steering wheel on the dash. They're out of your direct site but still easily monitorable and not so annoying at night.
     
  14. Gawrx

    Gawrx Member

    This is where mine is mounted......
    [​IMG]
     

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