Boost controller
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A boost controller is a device in a turbocharged car that regulates boost pressure. They can be as simple as a manual boost controller which one can easily fabricate oneself, or an electronic boost controller such as those made by Apexi. Increased boost pressure produces more power from the engine, and to prevent damage, one must install a boost gauge to monitor boost pressure while driving. Because a boost controller will affect the air/fuel ratio to the engine, it is beneficial to have an air/fuel gauge or an exhaust temperature gauge inside the car in addition to a boost gauge. Due to the nature of an air/fuel gauge, (which is a voltmeter that usually takes a reading from the O2 sensor) the different readings are not always accurate, but it will provide an indication of if the mixture is running lean or rich. However, an exhaust temperature gauge can provide a more accurate indication of the air/fuel ratio.
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Manual boost controllers
A manual boost controller mounts between the intake manifold and the wastegate. Generally a manual boost controller will not be accessible from inside the car, though some are designed to be. An installation that allows access from inside the car (as opposed from inside the engine compartment) is more complex, as the tubing must be longer and a hole must be drilled. It is possible and beneficial to use two manual boost controllers at different settings with a solenoid to switch between them for two different boost pressure settings. Some factory turbocharged cars have a switch to regulate boost pressure, such as a setting designed for gas economy and a setting for performance.
Electronic boost conrollers
Electronic boost controllers, such as the Apexi AVC, are mounted inside the car, as it is necessary for the driver to see the screen and access the controls.
Social aspects
The added control offered by boost controllers has been used by some of the more mechanically-minded street racers as a way to interfere with less experienced opponents. The more experienced racer will tell the less experienced one that the more PSI of boost they put on, the faster the car will go; however, in reality, in most non-diesel engines having over 16 psi of boost actually reduces performance and increases the risk of a blown exhaust manifold. Template:Citation-needed
External links
- http://www.racingworks.com Racingworks.com, a company that offers Electronic Boost Controllers.
