Low boost?

[tigersauce]

Ok so i just finished cleaning(much needed) my injen CAI. Well a long time ago, over 4 years i found that little wastegate trick with the spring. It has been on my car for at least 3 years now. Over time ive noticed i went from the stock 6ish to 8-9ish with the spring, and then back down to 6ish once the spring stretched i assume. While i was cleaning the filter today i decided to ditch the spring since it was doing me no good now anyways. Well after removing it i went for a drive.....and now i am only boosting to 4-5 psi. Any ideas on why? i have also just noticed an oil leak somewhere on the front of the block area, nothing major though. Its either the valve cover, or one of the lines to the turbo(maybe, not sure), or something else in the area. Haven't had time to clean it up to see its source yet. Any help would be great.

[spud321x]

I am going to say that the spring was still doing something then........

[Wagonbacker9]

that spring is what holds your wastegate closed. Boost pressure overcomes the spring, and that is when the WGA opens the wastegate. Without the spring, it is now cracked open all the time, so exhaust gasses are going past it. my bet is you're building boost slower as well?

[tigersauce]

Havent driven much since removing it, just to work and back. But it it definately boosting to 5 max now. So best bet to say a new wastegate would solve the problem?

[tigersauce]

Anyone?

[Wagonbacker9]

already answered...

[tigersauce]

Havent driven much since removing it, just to work and back. But it it definately boosting to 5 max now. So best bet to say a new wastegate would solve the problem?

I had asked a second question relating to the wastegate. My guess is it would solve it, but i wanted some input from fellow drivers.

[Wagonbacker9]

yes, my first reply spells out what the spring in your wastegate does, and why you need it. which WGA do you have that you were able to remove the spring anyway? why not just put it back in?

[tigersauce]

I didnt remove any spring, thats where our misunderstanding happened i see now. A post from here years ago had a diy thread about buying a spring from an auto parts store and placing it on the "outside" of the wastegate to hold it closed longer, therefore producing a higher boost level. And with any spring, over time they stretch. So now i removed the spring and am lower than stock boost. This is my original issue.

[Wagonbacker9]

um... a spring on the opposite side of the diaphram would actually open the WGA sooner.. a stronger spring would cause more boost (see Forge WGA)... i guess I don't understand what "outside" of wga means...

[tigersauce]

Found the original thread.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105148&highlight=cheap+%245+more+boost

[Wagonbacker9]

that looks like the worst idea ever.
unsubscribing. good luck.

[tigersauce]

Heh, guess you didnt read many more after that. Thanks for the help though /thumbs up

[speedracer]

Havent driven much since removing it, just to work and back. But it it definately boosting to 5 max now. So best bet to say a new wastegate would solve the problem?
maxing out at 5psi might be your stock level. I know before I started modding mine I was 5~6 psi.
And I have heard of the carb spring trick. alot of SRT-4 owners did it waaay back when.
sounds like your back to stock if thats what you wanted.

[tigersauce]

Well, it was at 6ish at stock level. Think its possible it has dropped due to the wastegate being over 6 yrs old now?

[speedracer]

could be, also could be a lil boost leak some where. does your boost gauge
fludder? if not then I wouldn't worry too much about dropping 1 psi in over
6yrs. I know that stock levels range from 4~6 psi depending on your location
and what day your car was assembled. lol
I don't think it's a wastegate prob. though

[tigersauce]

Alright, thanks for your help.