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Cheapest Multi-stage boost solutions?

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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:16 AM
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Default Cheapest Multi-stage boost solutions?

What have you guys come up with for cheap ELECTRIC multistage boost without an aftermarket ECU or PWM control? I can do dual stage with no problems. Its 3-4 stage that I'm having issues with.

My best solution right now for 3-stage boost control on a super budget is a pair of knockoff turbosmart dual stage controllers. This gives you 3 boost settings.

The lowest one can be as low as wastegate, but is still adjustable.
The 2nd port on the 1st controller will feed the 2nd boost controller, where you will have 2 more options available for boost control. This comes out to ~$120 total. I could drop the price by finding an electric solenoid that let me toggle between two outputs that didn't have any actual boost control elements. Anything below $60 for an electric solenoid that can switch between outputs will save me in the long run.

Ideas? And yes, there is a very big point to all of this.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:53 AM
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Would this work as a cheap/simple way to switch between 2 ports with just a 12v signal?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Inch-Pne...IAAOSw-7RVHMDG
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:54 AM
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What would the goal be? Have somewhat of a "dial a boost" set up with out a real controller?
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Would this work as a cheap/simple way to switch between 2 ports with just a 12v signal?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Inch-Pne...IAAOSw-7RVHMDG
"Operating Pressure: 21 PSI to 115 PSI"
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by svslow
What would the goal be? Have somewhat of a "dial a boost" set up with out a real controller?
Full electronic boost by gear on the stock ECU for less than $100 total.
I've already figured out the way to control solenoids based on gear, but not how to control actual boost with these outputs.

No modifications to shifter, runs off of the stock ECU.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by svslow
"Operating Pressure: 21 PSI to 115 PSI"
Even cheaper, 0 to 115 PSI operating range.
Will this one work, or am I looking at the wrong type of valve?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-Air...0AAOSwjVVV00p6
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 11:20 AM
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That is essentially the same thing as a standard 3 port MAC valve. Applying 12V will only open or close it.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by svslow
That is essentially the same thing as a standard 3 port MAC valve. Applying 12V will only open or close it.
I've considered the 3 port MAC valve, but the one I picked up won't work. Applying 12v doesn't switch between one output and the other, it simple opens or closes. I need a cheap electronic valve with 2 outputs that is switchable.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Full electronic boost by gear on the stock ECU for less than $100 total.
I've already figured out the way to control solenoids based on gear, but not how to control actual boost with these outputs.

No modifications to shifter, runs off of the stock ECU.
How are you controlling the solenoids based on gear? Micro switches?

I'd think a 4-5 relay control board would work... Just have metered orifices on 4-5 vacuum solenoids to gradually bleed more boost signal for each solenoid triggered?

Something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SRD-12VDC-SL...wAAOSwEeFVFZhg

Last edited by Forcefed86; Oct 11, 2016 at 01:19 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Forcefed86
How are you controlling the solenoids based on gear? Micro switches?

I'd think a 4-5 relay control board would work... Just have metered orifices to gradually bleed more boost signal for each solenoid triggered?

Something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SRD-12VDC-SL...wAAOSwEeFVFZhg
No micro switches. You're on the right path, but it turns out to be far easier.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 01:27 PM
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Need to know what the signal output is to find a part that will work... Is it a 12v signal? Is it electrical/mechanical?
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 01:30 PM
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I'll be using a 12v electrical signal for everything.

I already have the knockoff turbosmart dual stage controller. I bought it last year to test out. Yesterday I got it working with 1st gear boost control on the stock ECU instead of a toggle switch. I sat down and drew up an elaborate diagram and realized for less than $100 total, I can control boost in all 4 forward gears on the stock ECU.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 02:05 PM
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If you already have a 12v signal for each gear, wouldn't it be easier to ditch the turbo smart controller all together?

Buy 4 $5 vacuum solenoids, each with a slightly larger bleed orifice inline with the WG bottom port. Or the opposite to the top port...
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 02:16 PM
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Have a link to what you're talking about?
I already have the turbosmart, so I have 2 boost settings. With a simple electric solenoid, I gain another. Based on the way the 12v signals end up being, 1st and 4th gear will both get the same boost signal (nobody boosts overdrive on purpose anyway lol).

As soon as I find a reasonably cheap way to control all 3 boost settings, I'll do a write-up howto.
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Old Oct 11, 2016 | 02:40 PM
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No link was just thinking about it…

Still not 100% sure on your signals and how they are acting/where they are coming from. So I don’t know if this will work. If you can tap off the gear change solenoids or ECU signal somehow… I’d assume when you activate say the 3rd gear “switch”, the 2nd gear switch is de-activated? Something like this would be super easy. Could also set it up to control signals to the top and bottom ports to get a wider boost range. But keeping it simple here…

Assuming we are using the lower WG port only for boost control.

1st gear - No signal to any solenoid would give you your lowest (WG spring pressure) boost level.
2nd – Where ever you get your 12v signal from powers the second solenoid. It bleeds say .020
3rd – Shifting to 3rd drops 2nd gear signal and opens up the a larger 3rd gear bleed.
4th – Shifting to 4th drops the 3rd gear bleed, enables the last solenoid. Could just open it 100% to bleed all the signal to the lower gate and get max boost with that configuration.

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Old Oct 13, 2016 | 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Forcefed86


Smart.

OP If your doing this through outputs enabled though HP tuners, I'd be shocked no one has tried this before.
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