PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Dawes boost controller installation advice

JHZR2 · #1 01-22-2004, 06:22 PM

Hi,

Installed my dawes boost controller today. I can definitely feel the difference, I certainly was suffering from a tired wastegate.

I have a few installation hints, which I hope will be useful, since I think that probably has been the best $48 Ive spent on my car.

A few things:

-I was worried about using vacuum tees down there, especially the fact that Id have to block off one end. They were nearly impossible to find in the right size, so what worked best is what was mentioned by someone on another thread... Cut a short length of vacuum tubing (MB OEM is best because its slightly thicker than the equivalent spec tubing sold on fastlane). Slide that tube onto the barbed ends on the controller. This new setup will fit just inside the 9mm ID wastegate hose, and then can be held tightly together with small hose clamps that can be found for 79c at home depot.

-DO NOT set your controller pressure with a mityvac. I read a post on another thread of someone that didnt have a boost gauge in their old saab, and they set it with a mityvac. Well let me just say this. I have a new mityvac silverline. Used it twice. Attached it all up to the boost controller, and adjusted the controller length so that it would vent at 11.25 or so PSI. I installed it on my car, thinking I wouldnt have to mess with it again. The first time I accelerated on the highway, the pressure went to over 15psi at the intake manifold! I had to dial it way far out through a couple trials on the shoulder of the interstate before I could get it to 11.5 psi, and thats where Ive left it.

Overall the car drives much nicer, and for whatever odd reason, shifts smoother as well. Turbo spooling is considerably faster, and acceleration from a dead stop is much better (not that it was bad before, itll just pull to 4k rpm much quicker and easier now). When driving at highway speed, pressure is normal when crusing (5psi at 60 mph on flat ground). However, with the tap of the pedal, the boost will go almost instantly to 10-11 psi. Before when my max was 8-9, it took 2-3 times longer to reach that full boost whenI pressed the pedal.

I seem to notice that the car is a bit noisier now. Its almost as if it has a bit more of a gowl to the ehaust note.

So thats my report. I only wish darren dawes would make his controller with a little bit larger barbs, so it could be a direct splice into our wastegate lines, which are 9mm ID. I cant imagine any turbo has a wastegate line as small as the holes on the ends of his controller.

JMH