Boost controller...

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Are boost controllers actually any good in discovery's or are they just for the likes of fast petrol engines? This is the type I'm on about (forgive me if it's a daft question):

Look at what you are buying.

A pretty gauge and a means of fitting the gauge and a valve.

It won't increase your boost pressure on a Disco, it allows you to maybe leak some pressure off and reduce power.

Total waste of money in my opinion, but they sell loads to folk who don't know any different.

Peter
 
I can understand fitting a gauge to a Turbo engine of any sort ... but a means to 'dump' pressure or regulate it is somewhat less useful unless you're running something stupidly powerful ... I don't know of any Landrover that might benefit from this, short of a Bowler maybe ... ;)
 
I can understand fitting a gauge to a Turbo engine of any sort ... but a means to 'dump' pressure or regulate it is somewhat less useful unless you're running something stupidly powerful ... I don't know of any Landrover that might benefit from this, short of a Bowler maybe ... ;)

Inlet manifold DUMP VALVES are all but essential on SPARK IGNITION engines with turbos, that is engines where the fuel and air are mixed BEFORE they are in the cylinder.

The DUMP VALVE function is to dump excess pressure if the fuel-air charge ignites IN THE INLET MANIFOLD, the explosion of which can cause serious damage to carburettors, manifolds, and all sorts of things, including setting fire to paper air filters and maybe setting the whole car on fire. It can be quite a big bang! :eek:

And, the dump valve can release sheets of flame when it dumps, so they SHOULD be located sensibly, and shielded. No-one does, as hiding them spoils the boy racer poser effect. :D

Dump valves are NOT there to release excess turbo pressure EXCEPT when they are set to a very LOW pressure to enable boy racers to make them blow off and make that loud whooshing noise that says "Listen to me, I'm an asshole boy racer with a turbo!"

In a diesel engine there should be ZERO possibility of a manifold explosion, and over-pressure is so unlikely (and does no harm anyway) that there is never any justification for a dump valve.

CharlesY
 
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I can understand fitting a gauge to a Turbo engine of any sort ... but

I have a boost gauge (and only the gauge) for my disco but not fitted it yet. I work in an aerospace facility and have the ability to get the gauge calibrated. The bloody thing is miles off, both on pressure and vacuum sides. It reads low on both sides of the zero, so the gauge span is totally rubbish. The only thing right is it says zero sat on my desk.

Not sure if my findings are typical but I reckon a lot of gauges are probably wildy inaccurate so the boy racers can brag about the amount of boost they are running.

If the point of having a gauge is to help tune the motor up in any way, then make sure you spend a bit extra for a quality accurate gauge or find a way to get it checked out.
 
I have a boost gauge (and only the gauge) for my disco but not fitted it yet. I work in an aerospace facility and have the ability to get the gauge calibrated. The bloody thing is miles off, both on pressure and vacuum sides. It reads low on both sides of the zero, so the gauge span is totally rubbish. The only thing right is it says zero sat on my desk.

Not sure if my findings are typical but I reckon a lot of gauges are probably wildy inaccurate so the boy racers can brag about the amount of boost they are running.

If the point of having a gauge is to help tune the motor up in any way, then make sure you spend a bit extra for a quality accurate gauge or find a way to get it checked out.

It's a diesel, so you can forget all about the depression minus end of the gauge. It will never go there.

After that it does tell you what is going on, and when the thing really starts to blow. Ideally you want to be at the low revs with as much blow as you can get. Round about 2,000 rpm in most turbo Landies should be good for cruising and economy.

There's no need for the gauge to be "accurate" as such. The day it doesn't do what you think it should do is the day you may have a problem. But I have one fitted to my TD5 Disco and I like to see the needle whip up to over 1 BAR boost from about 1,800 rpm and up. PULLS GOOD!

CharlesY
 
I think you WILL like having a boost gauge fitted.

15 psi pressure is quite enough to inflate Landy tyres enough to drive on.

The more air you can ram in the better she goes, and the better the MPG too.

CharlesY
 
Inlet manifold DUMP VALVES are all but essential on SPARK IGNITION engines with turbos, that is engines where the fuel and air are mixed BEFORE they are in the cylinder.

The DUMP VALVE function is to dump excess pressure if the fuel-air charge ignites IN THE INLET MANIFOLD, the explosion of which can cause serious damage to carburettors, manifolds, and all sorts of things, including setting fire to paper air filters and maybe setting the whole car on fire. It can be quite a big bang! :eek:

And, the dump valve can release sheets of flame when it dumps, so they SHOULD be located sensibly, and shielded. No-one does, as hiding them spoils the boy racer poser effect. :D

Dump valves are NOT there to release excess turbo pressure EXCEPT when they are set to a very LOW pressure to enable boy racers to make them blow off and make that loud whooshing noise that says "Listen to me, I'm an asshole boy racer with a turbo!"

In a diesel engine there should be ZERO possibility of a manifold explosion, and over-pressure is so unlikely (and does no harm anyway) that there is never any justification for a dump valve.

CharlesY

Cheers, CharlesY ... I've gone years mis-understanding a dump valve then ... and having now looked it up, you're quite right.

Many thanks!

;)
 
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