How Does a Boost Controller Work? • Turbosmart
October 27, 2021 News

How Does a Boost Controller Work?

Electronic Boost Controllers

What is a Boost Controller?

A boost controller is a device that helps regulate the amount of boost pressure created by your turbocharger. Boost pressure forces more air into your engine, ultimately creating more power. The more air you can force into your engine, the more power it can produce. However, too much boost pressure can damage your engine and cause severe damage. That’s where a boost controller comes in. It allows you to dial in the perfect amount of boost pressure for your particular setup and ensures that your engine stays safe while still making as much power as possible.

No matter the boost controller you choose, it’s essential to ensure that it’s installed correctly. Incorrect installation can lead to engine damage and decreased performance. If you’re not sure how to install a boost controller, it’s best to consult with a professional. With the right boost controller, you can take your car’s performance to the next level!

Why use a Boost Controller?

If you have a turbocharger, then you know that they can be a great way to improve your car’s performance. But what if you want to take things to the next level? That’s where a boost controller comes in.

A boost controller is a device that allows you to manually adjust the amount of boost pressure that your turbocharger produces. By doing this, you can fine-tune the performance of your engine to get the most power and efficiency out of it.

There are many different types of boost controllers on the market, so it’s essential to research and find one that will work best for your particular setup. But if you’re looking for a way to take your turbocharged car’s performance to the next level, a boost controller is something to consider.

The Primary Function of a Boost Controller

A boost controller controls the amount of manifold pressure by changing the pressure going to the wastegate. For example, suppose you wish to increase your boost pressure above your normal wastegate actuator pressure (typically 7psi). In that case, the boost controller must accurately modify the pressure signal the wastegate actuator receives by venting an adjustable amount of pressure, forcing the turbo to produce the new, increased boost level.

Boost Controller Illustration

The Two Types of Boost Controllers

There are two main types of boost controllers: manual and electronic. Mechanical boost controllers are the simplest type and use a spring-loaded valve to regulate boost pressure.  Electronic boost controllers are more complex and use a computer to control the boost pressure. They offer more precision and are generally considered the better option.

Both types of boost controllers have their advantages and disadvantages. Mechanical boost controllers are generally less expensive and easier to install, but they can be less precise than electronic boost controllers. Electronic boost controllers are more expensive and require more installation, but they can provide better boost pressure regulation.

1. Mechanical (Gated) Boost Controllers

The Turbosmart Gated Boost Control Valve range is one of the best value for money horsepower upgrades that you can make to your turbocharged petrol or diesel engine vehicle—designed to offer the option of up to two boost settings, set by the driver and controlled via a switch. They are easy to fit, simple in operation and require little maintenance resulting in an excellent dollar for horsepower solution!

The range includes our exclusive Gate feature, which improves turbo response by up to 800 rpm earlier in the rev range – this means that you can increase the performance and response from your engine without even raising the maximum boost level.

2. Electronic Boost Controllers

The solutions that the electronic boost controllers offer are a far more sophisticated host of boost settings mapped against different triggers such as:

  • Gear change
  • Time
  • RPM or a manual switch

Furthermore, they require a higher level of technical knowledge to be fitted but offer greater flexibility and countless features.

 

Boost Controller Curve Diagram

Turbosmart eBoost Range

Choosing the Right Boost Controller for Your Application

The table below lists all the functions available with each Turbosmart Boost Controller. It will help you decide which Boost Controller is suitable for you.

Boost Controller Guide

The Turbosmart eBoost range of electronic boost management systems is one of the most popular, powerful, and user-friendly ranges of electronic boost controllers on the market.

Engineered to win, the eBoost controllers give you the ultimate control over the boost curve with innovative features designed for one thing – performance. All Turbosmart e-Boost controllers feature our exclusive adjustable gate pressure feature, which improves turbo response by up to 1000 rpm earlier in the rev range.

More importantly, this means that you can increase the performance and response of your engine without even raising the maximum boost level. Turbosmart e-boost controllers also allow the user to control three different aspects of the boost curve;

  1. The maximum boost pressure (set point),
  2. The spool-up rate of the turbocharger (gate pressure)
  3. The reaction time of the controller (sensitivity).

Each unit is housed in an aluminium case for durability and strength, while a simple three-segment display is used for easy viewing and navigation in all extreme driving conditions.

Is a boost controller necessary?

A boost controller is not strictly necessary for your car, but it can make a big difference in how well your car performs. Boost controllers allows you to regulate the amount of boost that is sent to your engine, which can help improve your car’s power and acceleration. If you are looking for ways to get the most out of your car, then a boost controller is a good option to consider. There are a few different types of boost controllers on the market, so you will need to do some research to find the one that is best for your car. Boost controllers can be found online and in many automotive stores.

How Expensive are Boost Controllers?

Boost controllers are not cheap. They can range in price from around $200 to over $1,000. However, they are an important part of your car’s turbocharger system and can help increase the performance of your car. Boost controllers can be simple mechanical devices or they can be electronic. Electronic boost controllers are more expensive, but they offer more control over the boost pressure. Boost controllers are an important part of any turbocharged car and can help you get the most out of your car’s performance. Thanks for reading!

Here is a handy self-help guide to helping you with your Turbosmart install and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get here. Turbosmart recommends that you get your products fitted and tuned by a qualified technician. If you choose to install the product yourself, ensure you have all the necessary tools and technical knowledge to perform this task.

Thank you for picking up the latest Turbosmart catalogue. As we look back on 25 fantastic years of innovation and growth, we continue to look towards the future as we release some revolutionary new products that will cement our reputation as innovators and market leaders.

Please contact us here and fill out a quick form so that our team can efficiently help you!

Custom setup and need advice?

Try our Product Advisor! This tool is designed to help you choose the right product for your project & help you choose the right Wastegate, Blow off Valve and fuel Pressure Regulator.

Find products to suit your car

Contact Turbosmart to see if we have products to suit your car on the way or other solutions to help! If you have a new car we don't cover, you can also request a new product.
Nearly 30 years ago, I embarked on this incredible journey of founding Turbosmart, and as we step into 2024, I've never been more proud of the Turbosmart team. We are on the verge of our most exciting chapter yet, as we unveil a monumental achievement—our new line of cutting-edge Turbochargers. Turbosmart is more than just a business; it's a community of enthusiasts dedicated to constant innovation in our products, support, and service. Thank you for being so supportive, and here's to another year of innovation and achievement with Turbosmart! #Engineered to Win!

Turbosmart Boost Control Range

Engineered to Win!

Turbosmart prides itself in providing customers with the absolute pinnacle in boost control management. Whether it be for your street or race application, Turbosmart has a range of boost controllers to help you service your needs.

About Turbosmart

From our humble beginnings to establishing ourselves as a global brand, Turbosmart is well on track to lead the future in turbo technology.

Our engineers build and track-test all products in-house. Therefore, we ensure we continuously produce the highest-quality, highest-performance Turbochargers, blow-off valves, wastegates, boost controllers, fuel pressure regulators, oil pressure regulators and more. Furthermore, our products are designed and built for track and street applications.

Turbosmart Boost Tee Installation Tutorial

Engineered to Win!

This installation tutorial is performed on a Mitsubishi Evolution 8 but will apply to most popular vehicle’s.

eBoost 2 Basic Setup & tech Tips

Engineered to Win!

eBoost2 is a fully featured programmable electronic device. 

eboost2 Setup

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