Safe Boost For 7mgte

[itchybum1]

Hi all, was just looking for some educated responses on what is the safest level of boost to push through the 7m without ecu , injector or fuel pump upgrades. It is completely stock except for arp head studs and metal head gasket. I'm not sure if its safe to push more boost as is without melting pistons etc. What are other 7m owners doing ?

[Stomps]

i have run mine on 15 psi without any problems for a while... Until recently when something went through my turbo... Not a result of too much boost

Im not sure if you know this already but the 7m has a fuel cut at around 10.5 psi.. You can gat around this by running a HKS fuel cut defender...

On the dyno recently i was running 13.5psi and my AFR was 11.2:1 which is well safe..

The best thing to do is put it on a dyno and gradually raise the boost, that way you will know exactly when you are starting to lean out..

Another point is, if you are running a standard intercooler, dont run over 14psi or you will blow the arse out the cooler..

Stomps

[itchybum1]

Cool ! Its in a cressida with a hybrid type bar & plate cooler. I was told the ct26 will only support up to 15 psi which is fine . What boost controler are you using ?

[Stomps]

im only using a Turbosmart bleed valve, but i highly reccommend an electronic boost controller, they are far more effective and prevent boost spiking..

if you are only going to run low boost ie.. 10psi ish then a bleed valve might be fine but anything above that, i would go electronic...

if you are running a bleed valve, have it positioned as close to the wastegate actuator as possible no more then 6 inches..

Stomps

[itchybum1]

I was leaning toward an electronic controller for safety with the stock set up . Thanks !

[Adam_Cressi]

i would suggest electronic boost controller @ 12-14 psi, so then u dont put the turbos under any danger , but still get some OMMMPH

[itchybum1]

I had in mind between 10-15 psi . thanks for input !

[EldarO]

running 10psi with no dramas.

Eldar.O.

[whatthe?]

If you dont have an SAFC (or other piggyback) or a boost cut defender the most youre going to see is ~11psi anyway (thats where boost cut is as Stomps said), and believe me you'll know all about it when you hit boost cut!!

For the record I'm running 17psi with a standard head gasket and ARP studs torqued to 85 ft/lb, no problems yet. I personally dont like boost cut defenders as you have no control whatsoever over your fuel/air mixtures and the ecu wont know what's going on as the BCD basically convinces the ECU that it's never getting anymore than 10.5-11psi of boost. An safc or other piggyback is a far better option IMO, allows you to dyno tune your AFRs for better power too!

[itchybum1]

Thanks for info. That seems the logical and safest thing to do to look after engine life. Cheers !