What's the real deal with boost controllers on the SST?

[migs647]

From all the reading I've done I've been under the assumption that the SST is not friendly with electronic and manual boost controllers. Supposedly it freaks the SST out when it's shifting. I know the SST reads a lot of different attributes on the car including boost. I'd assume if there is an "unusual" reading the SST would not know how to act accordingly.

I've read from AMS Performance and other tuners on these boards that this is true. And this is the reason that AMS Performance created an aftermarket boost pill for the SST Transmission cars (Evo MR and Ralliart).

A quote from their website:

Using one of these pills is the only method of boost control that we recommend for any car with the SST transmission (i.e. any EVO MR, or any Ralliart)

Because of the unique way that the transmission gets loaded, unloaded, clutch released, etc. Manual boost controllers and electronic boost controllers do not work very well on these cars. When using an MBC or EBC on these cars they are very prone to boost spikes and overshooting of boost, resulting in very poor driveability.

The stock ECU in both the Ralliart and the EVO X has a 3D table for defining boost solenoid duty cycle which helps to regulate the turbo speed at low throttle conditions, and keep the wastegate open more and prevent boost spikes and uneven boost.

On the same token, other unnamed tuners claim there is absolutely no problem with boost controllers. One of the parties has to be wrong.

So questions are:

1) Does a manual or electronic boost controller cause issues with the SST?
2) If so what kind of issues arise?
3) If no why are others claiming there are issues?

[EvoJutsu]

I'm eager to see these questions answered. Cause my next mods will be a cat-back exhaust, intake, and MBC. I got only a tune for my stock Evo X MR from DG motors. Car runs like a champ!

[5harkology]

Why are people even bothering with MBC's on these cars?

[evo542]

yeah the SST shifts too fast (engine RPMS drop extremly quick) for the electronic bost controler to compensate for boost spikes. You can getaway with putting a MBC or EBC but it will spike and put excessive strain on the drivetrain.

[Ti Carbon]

I hope more people to post on this as well. I was going to by the ams pill but i would need a tune. So im holding off till i get most of my parts. Does anyone know if the ams pill will work wit the cobb ap? Or does the cobb remove the tube that the ams pill would go in

[gunzo]

Originally Posted by migs647

1) Does a manual or electronic boost controller cause issues with the SST?
2) If so what kind of issues arise?
3) If no why are others claiming there are issues?

Its NOT TRUE ..

1) No it does not cause any issue
2) Issues arises because the tuners do not know how to clear the CEL triggered by the boost controllers because now the boost is controlled by the EBC and not the ECU
3) Refer Point 2

1 of the reasons most do not go EBC is because there's no reason to .. or just to save some money ..

But EBC works just as well as standard ECU boost control..

[Ti Carbon]

gunzo saves the day!

[WickedWhite2008]

I had nothing but trouble with my AVC-R EBC. I kept having part throttle and low RPM limp mode problems. I would be just cruising and I would hear the diverter valve fluttering when I lifted off the gas and then limp mode. This was never resolved so I just had it removed and went back to the stock boost controller. I use a custom sized pill with a custom tuned Cobb AP Map. Some Cobb Maps require you to remove a pill. It all depends on which map you use and what mods you have. I would not buy a pill ahead of time unless it matches your exact mods and tune. I would have it tuned and let the tuner choose a pill that works with your setup (they usually carry tons of different sized pills). I still wonder if using the EBC caused some strain on my SST. Sometimes when down shifting at low speeds It shifts with more of a clunk now. I wasted money and time trying to use a EBC when the stock boost controller was just as capable of doing the job. Unless your talking about a track car (GSR) with over 30 PSI and you are surpassing the limits of the stock boost controller...you really don't need one. Using the MR I would recommend just using a boost pill not a manual or electronic boost controller since the SST is very temperamental with loading and unloading the transmission. This is just what I ran into. Your welcome to try it for yourself and see what happens. Personally I would just save your money and use it else where.