88 SVO motor, adjusting boost level

[KenneBell]

Stock 85 svo longblock, with 86 svo intake, and xr4ti wet turbo using an 85 SVO compressor housing. I'm using the gillis valve, and watching the boost gauge, as I accelerate hard in first the needle jumps to about 18 for a second then for the rest of the acceleration wiggles at around 16. Is my boost set at 18 or would you consider that 16? I was thinking of turning the boost up to 18 but then it would spike to probably like 20 for a second as I launch in first. Is that too much boost? I'm using an LA3 with an SVO intercooler and the ACT tapped into the outlet of the intercooler. Timing set to 10btdc.

 

[stackz]

I take it you got your wiring problems worked out??

the needle wiggling at steady boost is usually wastegate associated. probably the diaphram in it is going out or the hose has a leak.

20psi isnt bad for the engine but it's closing in on the max of the turbo. As long as you dont hear detonation and you dont lean out you should be good though.

 

[KenneBell]

I bought Joe's custom harness to get around the wiring problem. Is the turbo supposed to be very loud? I have the K&N cone on the VAM and when it is boosting people outside the car say there is an extrememly loud whoosing sound as the car drives by accelerating. Guess that's the way turbo's are supposed to sound.

 

[Red_LX]

Yes...that's how they sound once you open up the intake. Mine is ear-piercing but I like it that way

 

[stackz]

well at least with the custom harness as the only swap and suddenly no problems, you know it was a wiring problem and not something else.

yeah, the t3's on these cars are decently loud with/without the factory silencer on them. much louder than say a 1.8t jetta

 

[Stinger]

Get an aftermarket gauge...I'd say your boost is somewhere between 12 and 20 right now...stock isn't accurate at all.

 

[KenneBell]

Sorry, I should have been more specific, the car is a 92 mustang that I put an 85 SVO motor into, so no factory boost gauge.

 

[Stang2003GT]

Turbo surge?

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

how long are the Vac lines to the Boost valve? I have found the shorter the vac hose, the Less surge you get. Mine is probably less then 10"

Dr.

 

[KenneBell]

lol, i have about 8 feet of vacuum hose going to the gillis valve, about 3 feet to vac. tree and then 5 feet or maybe more going from the gillis to the wastegate actuator, here is a newbie question, but what exactly is turbo surge, is that like bucking, or hesitating?