Turbo pressure not what it should be! :(

[Outoway]

Ok, mods first the what’s going on and plan of attack:
v4 intake
chipbox with the fiat tech tune
dv+
turbosmart actuator
defi boost gauge

ok, the prob: boost maxes out at 19psi @ wot and the drops to 14 within seconds. I know it should be at 24psi at wot. Mia does stumble a bit as it drops.

initial plan: bypass the chipbox with the plug to rule it out as a possible problem. Does anyone know what boost should be stock with sport button?

next is checking the turbosmart to make sure all is good

then take dv+ apart and clean and relube it. (Got to do an oil change soon anyway!)

and of course check for boost leaks. Plan has been to get a fmic this spring anyway. So seems like I might step into one sooner.

is there anything else that I may want to check? Or even the order in which to do them?

thanks!

[texanbrit]

I think that seems like a decent plan of attack. The dv+ needs lubricating from time to time.

From what a remember stock boost is 18psi, but it's been a long time so my memory could be off.

[Outoway]

I think that seems like a decent plan of attack. The dv+ needs lubricating from time to time.

From what a remember stock boost is 18psi, but it's been a long time so my memory could be off.

Thanks for the reply! I have eliminated the chipbox as the culprit... took it off and used the bypass plug.... results were in sport mode, 14 psi with a drop off to 9-10psi. So on to the next on the list!

[Romanoaf]

14 psi is also the boost limit when the ECU is in knock protection. When this has happened to me, changing fuel suppliers corrected the condition. Shell 91 is usually a safe bet. After refuelling, give it 20-50km and it should lift the condition, if it’s fuel related.

[Outoway]

14 psi is also the boost limit when the ECU is in knock protection. When this has happened to me, changing fuel suppliers corrected the condition. Shell 91 is usually a safe bet. After refuelling, give it 20-50km and it should lift the condition, if it’s fuel related.

Wow that hadn’t even been a thought... I had recently filled at a station I don’t use regularly. I have always used the highest octane they have.

[MadFiat]

14 psi is also the boost limit when the ECU is in knock protection. When this has happened to me, changing fuel suppliers corrected the condition. Shell 91 is usually a safe bet. After refuelling, give it 20-50km and it should lift the condition, if it’s fuel related.

Wow that hadn’t even been a thought... I had recently filled at a station I don’t use regularly. I have always used the highest octane they have.

Some unscrupulous independently owned stations will try to slip in lower grade as premium with the mistaken belief (supported by "journalists" who don't know any better) that no cars actually "need" premium fuel.

[Outoway]

Ok, I think I may have found my problem. And this should have been the first thing I checked.... I decided to take the intake off and take a pic of the fins to see if they were any worse from my other post. And they are Plus now when I turn the impeller by hand I hear a scratching sound that wasn’t there before! So now it time to replace it..... Dang.... shucks..... YES!!!

[texanbrit]

You might have a boost leak that is causing the turbo to overspin. That does look gnarly though. On the positive side you have a great core to provide when you buy your new upgraded turbo!!!

Which turbo upgrade are you thinking of getting?

[Outoway]

You might have a boost leak that is causing the turbo to overspin. That does look gnarly though. On the positive side you have a great core to provide when you buy your new upgraded turbo!!!

Which turbo upgrade are you thinking of getting?

Thanks for the reply! Decided I was going FMIC when I replace as well. That way don’t have to worry about stock plumbing.

As for turbo, I went with this:

“ OEM replacement Turbocharger for 2013+ dodge dart / FIAT 500 Abarth with 1.4L turbo engine.

factory overhauled GARRETT GT1446GLSZ.

includes wastegate actuator

available with and without diverter valve

UPGRADE VERSION STG1 features 48mm BILLET wheel with 2mm larger inducer AND exducer, adjustable billet wastegate actuator. Direct bolt-on, works without suporting mods or tune, but ecu tuning necessary to exploit the full potential of this turbo.”

And it came in today, it’s Christmas in February!

[MadFiat]

What tune are you planning to run with that?