I've heard multiple theories on this. Some say to reference it before the TB, some day after, some say turbo compressor housing. I currently have mine referenced to the compressor housing. Where is the OPTIMAL boost reference source. Please, first hand knowledge!

 

Your boost will read different if you have it before the intercooler or if you have it at the manifold.

Me personally have it hooked up to my manifold.

 

manifold for sure. then you actually know what the engine is getting

 

Another vote for manifold!

 

I have my wastegate reference to the most direct boost source which is the compressor housing but I have both my boost controller and gauge referenced at the manifold so I actually can control and see how much boost is being made post intercooler.

 

If you want accuracy definitely the intake. So if you have a 15psi spring in the gate, the intake sees 15, who cares if the compressor actually has to make 16-17 to compensate for the intercooler and restrictions... The intake is where you want the boost right?

 

I wouldn't put the reference in the intake. Wastegates don't seal well on the bottom and leak. Vacuum leak. Also, if you have high backpressure, exhaust could leak into the intake charge, hurting power a little bit. It also has slower response being in the engine, as opposed to on the compressor housing.

 

intake

 

This.

 

Everybody I seen with boosted 5.3's have it on the intake with NO issues!

 

I run mine to the compressor housing.

 

Ive always heard wastegate responds faster off the compressor housing, both work tho just do whichever is easier.

 

intake

 

honest answer is you can hook it up wherever you want, you dont even have to install it at all.

like others mentioned the manifold will give you the highest and comp housing will give you the lowest, whatever is easier, cleaner, or whatever ls1 tech tells you.

 

The comp housing will spike when you chop out of the throttle blowing the gate open if the top reference is after the tb. That is better for the turbo I think, but it can have boost that drops off at higher rpm if the system is restrictive.

Kurt

 

I have mine to the compressor housing. The boost guage is referenced to the manifold. I'm running a manual controller, so i just turn it up/down until it results in the desired manifold pressure reading.

 

^^^ This

 

compressor with manual controller.. no problems..

 

This is the correct way.

Wastegates are not designed to see vacuum.
Will they work off the manifold? SURE, but its not ideal.


For the best control and response, it needs to be referenced before the TB and ideally before any IC.

 

I re routed it to the manifold, I'm seeing the same boost PSI and the response feels a bit laggy.. i think I'm putting it back to the compressor.