Turning down boost

[Alan]

With increasing gas prices and 21 lbs on my K04, I've decided that I want to turn down my boost. I dont really drive fast anymore, and I dont want to put the constant strain on my turbo when passing, or going up hills.

I'm APR tuned, so can the chip be detuned to say 12 psi? Or what are my options to turn down boost a bit. I don't want to be at the stock 8lbs, it's just too slow.

[blkb6a4]

you should be able to use a MBC or EBC or even swap out your wastegate/wastegate spring, but I would do MBC or EBC becuase then if you ever do decide to have some fun at an auto-x or dragstrip you can very easily just turn it right back up to 21psi

[VTAudiA4]

if you want a mbc, i have one for sale. pm me for more details

[Squarrl]

apr k04?

[Rhinop21]

sell me your setup and ill give you my stock turbo and ecu?

[Alan]

I have a K04, with APR K03 tuning. I dont want to sell my setup, but I just want to turn down boost. 21 psi isn't helping my transmission situation at all, or my gas mileage.

[audiness]

if you have a GIAC chip, just get the flashloader, and put your car back to stock.

I do it to mine all the time.

[legionvr6]

uummm iwe al have MBC bult into our cars. the more you push the gas pedal the higher you boost. so dont push it so hard and your get a nice 30MPG

[Tiluleshpingen]

uummm iwe al have MBC bult into our cars. the more you push the gas pedal the higher you boost. so dont push it so hard and your get a nice 30MPG

tried it dont work !!!!!!!!!!

[Solaris]

I don't know if a MBC would really be a help. I'm using a Boost Machine inline with my N75 to raise peak boost and it has made the turbo spool up sooner on lighter loads. The PC16 would naturally stay in vacuum until a considerable load was put on the engine. Pulling out into traffic and trying to stay out of boost can be difficult sometimes now. I agree with legionvr6's suggestion, just be smarter with the throttle. Watch the boost gauge and stay in vacuum as much as possible.

[sean1.8t]

im not entirely sure if the APR chip is non N75 friendly. but if it is,

step one: remove n75

step two: install MBC..

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

I have a stage 3 and i hardly boost unless im trying to catch a light or im on the highway...
I get good gas mileage...
I would never want my boost turned down!!!
NEVER!!!

[Alan]

I have APR. You CANT accelerate at a reasonable speed without boost. With my mom in the car, she will hit at least 8-10 to get it moving. I tried to keep it out of boost once going up the highway, and I had to do 40. Especially because the area aroudn me is hilly, it's hard to stay off the throttle.

I need a way to physically limit the boost.

[Solaris]

I have APR. You CANT accelerate at a reasonable speed without boost. With my mom in the car, she will hit at least 8-10 to get it moving. I tried to keep it out of boost once going up the highway, and I had to do 40. Especially because the area aroudn me is hilly, it's hard to stay off the throttle.

I need a way to physically limit the boost.

What RPM do you usually shift at?

[Alan]

It's an automatic. And it likes to rev high.

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

damn rev happy slushboxes

[Squarrl]

if its apr couldnt u put it in stock mode?

[bass_lover1]

Just like an MBC can be used to raise boost levels, it can also be used to cap boost levels.

Unfortunately, I forget how you need to install it to work as a cap. I'm sure someone around here though will be able to help you on that.

[onemoremile]

I see no reason for any of this. I understand your situation but all you need is better throttle control. I accelerate around town at 0-5 psi all the time. I can hold it at 10 or 15 psi easily as well. Boost is a response to demand and you have control over it. You will probably be in positive boost up hills but you should also be in vacuum going down the other side. There isn't much that can be done about your terrain. The only place a MBC or other control will actually lower your boost is on cruise control. That is because that is the only place your right foot isn't in charge.

When I pull away from a stop at 0 psi I'm even with most other traffic. Average mpg in town is never lower than 23 psi and sometimes as high as 28. Highways (55 mph) are usually 30-40mpg and freeways (75 mph) are 25-27 mpg.

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

ihave a stage three and i hardly ever go over 5lbs

[jm121189]

ihave a stage three and i hardly ever go over 5lbs

Thats not surprising assuming you don't drive around smashing on the gas since your turbo probably starts to boost when you shift.

Couldn't you just get the stock program and shift between the two depending on your mood?

[Alan]

I see no reason for any of this. I understand your situation but all you need is better throttle control. I accelerate around town at 0-5 psi all the time. I can hold it at 10 or 15 psi easily as well. Boost is a response to demand and you have control over it. You will probably be in positive boost up hills but you should also be in vacuum going down the other side. There isn't much that can be done about your terrain. The only place a MBC or other control will actually lower your boost is on cruise control. That is because that is the only place your right foot isn't in charge.

When I pull away from a stop at 0 psi I'm even with most other traffic. Average mpg in town is never lower than 23 psi and sometimes as high as 28. Highways (55 mph) are usually 30-40mpg and freeways (75 mph) are 25-27 mpg.

You dont understand. I set my cruise control at 65 on the turnpike, and 60 on the highway. I ease into boost, and still am averaging 18-19 mpg. To accelerate with traffic, I need at least 5 psi. I dont have control over it if I need ~5 psi to accelerate. It's an automatic, I can't control the revs very well, and it builds boost almost off of Idle. On cruise control, I use ~3psi to get up the highway.

I have new plugs, coilpacks, fuel filter. My mileage shouldn't be this bad.

[onemoremile]

You dont understand. I set my cruise control at 65 on the turnpike, and 60 on the highway. I ease into boost, and still am averaging 18-19 mpg. To accelerate with traffic, I need at least 5 psi. I dont have control over it if I need ~5 psi to accelerate. It's an automatic, I can't control the revs very well, and it builds boost almost off of Idle. On cruise control, I use ~3psi to get up the highway.

I have new plugs, coilpacks, fuel filter. My mileage shouldn't be this bad.

No, I understand perfectly. My car accelerates the same way but 99% of cruising is done in vacuum. The poor mileage is likely due to an inefficiency elsewhere. Alignment is usually the culprit. Also check the air filter and maybe even change the lubricants in the transmission and diffs. Those can make a surprisingly large difference.

[Alan]

Ok, Ill check everything. I appreciate the help. It does pull to the right a bit, but Im getting my summer wheels on today, so it'll be realigned.

[0000_a4]

No, I understand perfectly. My car accelerates the same way but 99% of cruising is done in vacuum. The poor mileage is likely due to an inefficiency elsewhere. Alignment is usually the culprit. Also check the air filter and maybe even change the lubricants in the transmission and diffs. Those can make a surprisingly large difference.

+1 on this. You will see a big difference on your gas milage. Also check your tire pressure every week.

[jm121189]

How long since your last oil change? I just changed mine and it was in there for about 5k miles(yes i know a little too long) and my fuel economy has improved since the change.

[Alan]

I am pretty fanatical about maintinence. Ill be getting an alignment, and Ill change the oil this weekend. Ill get another air filter and try that as well. Everything else I can think of is new.

[Mad_Audi]

Could Alan run the stock mode option on this APR chip?

FlipSwitch
Enables you to swap between two or more engine programs on-the-fly using the cruise control stalk. All cars have stock and standard chipped program versions available. Valet, race-gas, and other specialty programs are available for some models.