Need help regarding my warrantee and installing a Boost Controller...

Ronnzi · 07-12-2005, 07:28 PM

Hey everyone, as of a couple of nights ago, I officially became a WRX owner and am proud. Best car I've ever owned by a long shot

Anyways, I bought the 05 brand new with an automatic transmission (my dad was paying for most of the car and he wanted the family to be able to drive it in case of emergencies) but I really can't complain since I would have in no way been able to get anything even close on my own.

While it's only been a couple of days since I've bought it, I've been reading forums weeks ahead of time and was ready to mod it even before it was in my garage. I ordered a Perrin Manual Boost Controller, judging from the fact that it was very inexpensive (I barely have any cash) and quick to install.

My question has mainly to do with is it a safe/smart idea to put this in so early? Since my tranny is auto I do have a lot more turbolag than I would like (even for normal driveability purposes) and thus the controller makes a lot of sense for me. The dealer said that it wouldn't be hard on the engine at all (as long as I don't increase the PSI ridiculously of course) and that it shouldn't be a problem with my warrantee in the future but I really need to make sure.

I'm modding it without my dad knowing (he doesn't want me to touch the car for years since we just bought it) and so I need to make sure warrantee-wise I'll be ok and that my car can handle the increase and faster response times. Is it a safe mod? I can have a guy at the dealer install it for me so if my self-installation would be the problem, I can easily fix that by just paying like $20.

So really, will the Perrin Boost Controller be safe for my car, my warrantee, and will I see a difference in either HP, turbo response time, or both?

Thanks a lot I love my new car

Nose Nuggets · 07-12-2005, 07:56 PM

welp, i would do a little searching, there are a lot of good discussions about boost controllers in general.

specificly

Boost Controllers and You...

sorry you already spent the dough

Nose Nuggets · 07-12-2005, 08:09 PM

oh... i relazed what you did.

dont double post man. bad form

Vew · 07-12-2005, 09:35 PM

If you love your car, don't put on the MBC. Without proper engine management, it will lean out your engine. Plus you have the cat in your uppipe to worry about and no gauges to read by. You wouldn't put a tray of cookies in the oven without knowing how hot it was would you?

Ronnzi · 07-13-2005, 12:42 AM

Since my MBC is already on it's way, I guess my next question is are you surrrre there's nothing I can do with it that's safe?

I'm not looking for an earth-shattering performance boost, just a small one and I definitely don't wanna stress the engine more than it should be. I probably wouldn't have ordered it with what you guys have told me in mind, but it's too late for that.

If I don't install it, it's just gonna sit here or I could try to resell it. If I installed it and didn't increase the PSI much, would it really do any true long-term harm? I have a turbo guage so I can atleast monitor it that way....

I have an Automatic WRX so I'm sure my engine isn't going to be pushing as hard as a manual setup and a guy at a Subaru dealership said he will adjust it.

It's already in the mail - is there anyway I can safely use it to do anything with a turbo gauge as my only other mod thus far? its the Perrin MBC btw.

Vew · 07-13-2005, 01:03 AM

Who makes your gauge? Subaru's OEM?

Ronnzi · 07-13-2005, 01:13 AM

It's a Greddy - it's not in yet but it's on its way and will go in before anything else - I wanted something more accurate than the OEM one.

IBAUCLAPlaya · 07-13-2005, 12:29 PM

Refuse the shipment and tell them you don't want it. I wouldn't go anywhere near it. I'm sure you could find a used AccessPORT for around $500 which safely increases power. Yeah a bit more, but if you want your car to last 10-15 years like you said, don't go MBC. Just my .02 though.

subierida · 07-13-2005, 04:14 PM

Hey, I have had a MBC installed on my car for about 4 months now. It is made by Hallman and installation was extremely simple. I haven't had any problems with my car or the boost controller since it has been installed. The Subaru dealership here where I reside did however say it would void warranty. That is why I kept the stock parts and will put them back on if necessary. I have my boost controller set to about 12 psi and the horsepower gains are very noticiable. It is a good idea not to run a boost controller unless you at least have a some type of aftermarket intake and cat-back exhaust and in most cases an aftermarket ecu with proper tuning. However I know quite a few people here in Florida running MBC's on STI's and WRX's. Obviously a MBC can be extremely dangerous to the engine, but can also be a great asset if used properly. If you decide to put it on, DO NOT boost your car every time you get on the highway. I know some individuals who use MBC's and they run their cars hard everday, leading to severe engine damage. I am a newby to wrxtuners and I am sure this post will recieve some criticism, but this is just my opinion.

jeff04 · 07-13-2005, 04:33 PM

Sell it on ebay!

IBAUCLAPlaya · 07-13-2005, 09:41 PM

Intakes tend to lean out the car even farther. As for a catback, why would that help to keep safe with the boost controller? 12 psi is lower than the stock boost level so that doesn't make sense. One of the biggest things to worry about with a MBC or EBC is partial throttle full boost. Yah your car will go fast, and the engine will die even faster. Just spend the extra $$ and get full EM.

Vew · 07-13-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subierida

I am a newby to wrxtuners and I am sure this post will recieve some criticism, but this is just my opinion.

We don't criticise because your new. We only cristicise if your information is inaccurate. Intakes and MBCs are very contraversal issues.

In order to safely increase boost, you need a few things. You need fuel management, but we usually recommend an aftermarket engine management system because you'll probably need it in the future, it controls many things including boost, fuel, and timing, and it's worth it. You also need a new uppipe. The reason is because of the first of three catalytic coverters resides in the uppipe. When you start increasing boost, you put your turbo in great jeapordy having a handful a shrapnel inches away from the inlet of your turbo of the car you paid so much for.

Most of your power does come from your downpipe. Upgrade it from 2.5" to 3" and it will replace the last 2 of the 3 cats in your system. Catback does not provide any signaficant "protection" to increase boost, or give any noticable power gains (1-3hp at most). FYI, your boost will increase automatically by ~1 psi from upgrading your downpipe.

As for intakes, you don't really need it, but if you do get one, stay away from "cold air intakes." Short ram or pod style are fine.

subierida · 07-14-2005, 01:02 AM

The information I recieved with my MBC stated that a car should have a low restriction air filter and a performance exhaust system. I am not sure for the reason, but Hallman says it is a must.

subierida · 07-14-2005, 01:41 AM

Also, I thought 1st and 2nd gear psi was lower than 12 psi and that 3rd, 4th,and 5th gear ran around 14 psi. Thus, the MBC would enhance the psi in 1st and 2nd gear. Of course I might be wrong, I'm a newbie to the Subaru world.

djplayboy · 07-14-2005, 05:30 PM

the 04/05 ecus are diff from the 02/03 ecus on the 05 it will not work right with a mbc on an 02 its ok if you know what your doing with it and watch out for ptfb(part throttle full boost)

ne way congrats on the new ride and please do some reaserch on your car and the mods, the first thing i would do is replace or gut the uppipe theres a cat in there and you dont want to kill your turbo with it..... also some dealers will not warentee the car if theres a mbc on it, now if your in louisiana my dealer here is mod friendly

and will even do most installs for ya