In planning ahead for turboing my tC, I've started thinking about accesories.

Overall, I want everything to be clean and unobtrusive. That is my goal.

As a result, I think the glove box would be a good place for an electronic boost controller, as it doesn't need to be seen but can still be accesible.

The cubby in the "waterfall" could work for a turbo timer, as I might want to see it from time to time (not really sure).

As for gauges, if I do an A-pillar pod, is that going to interfere with side airbags? If so, I could probably work something else out. . . Also relating to gauges, it would be extra awesome if the gauge(s) did the "full sweep upon ignition" thing and matched the stock gauges. I see that AutoMeter has the sweep function with their new Cobalt line. . .Does anybody have experience with those, per chance?

Please feel free to give me your thoughts, comments, and ideas. Thanks.

 

You don't want an electronic boost controller ;) The turboxs manual boost controllers work beautifully and do what they need to do. We've run them on a majority of the cars we've built and have nothing but good things to say about the HPBC and dual stage models.

For gauges, plan on having a boost gauge and EGT gauge at a minimum. We really like the greddy gauges for the price, and all of these things will be available as add-ons to our kits. The autometer EGT probes suck, so I would suggest getting a greddy EGT even if you get a different brand of boost gauge.

If there is enough interest, we can look into manufacturing a non-apillar pod for the scions as well.....and if you've got any more questions, feel free to ask!
Brian

 

Why bother with egt when widebands like the Innovate LM-1 are so inexpensive now?

And personally, I don't like the spiking you usually see with mbc's. However, if the cost difference of mbc vs. ebc means not getting a wideband, go mbc.

-john

 

He's talking EGT and you're talking o2 sensor, two different animals. I kind of liked my Autometer on my last DSM, allthough I upgraded the probe from the one that came with it. GReddy gauges are always nice, as are the Apexi. SPI and DEFI and a couple of other alternatives as well. I'm curious as to how they're going to look on the a-pillar, due to the factory finish.

And Firedrake's 100% right on the boost controller, no need whatsoever on the EBC. If installed properly, a MBC will not spike, and it sure as ____ won't fail on you like an EBC can. I've run nothing but the TXS stuff for a few years with nothing but good results. If you really must have it, TXS makes a two-stage MBC that works very well.

 

We've put turboxs HPBC's on easily 50+ cars, and none of them have ever had spiking issues. If you're seeing boost spikes, it's most likely due to some other aspect of your setup.
EGT's will give you an idea about how decent your A/F's are, but they also indicate how the car likes the timing and are an easy way to know if something is really wrong (detonation). A wideband will allow you to exactly dial in your A/F, but will give you NO other information. Both should really be used together when tuning a car. Driving around with a wideband is unnecessary if the car is running properly, and the EGTs will warn you if something is wrong. That is why I say boost and EGT are the essential gauges.
B

 

As long as I can change boost from the cockpit, I'm good. I know TurboXS makes good stuff, too.

Thanks for all your responses so far.

 

This is going to be a hard car to mount gauges in while making it look good and be functional.

 

Changing boost from inside the vehicle is usually only necessary in one situation: dealing with traction. In our experience, in vehicles making less than 300 whp, usually 2 settings are fine to deal with traction (low boost for the launch and high boost for 2nd or 3rd on up). With the dual stage boost controller, you get the functionality of a good manual controller while also being able to flip a switch and change boost levels. The best part is that the dual stage is still only about half the cost of an electronic one.......the TC most likely won't need the capability to alter boost levels from the cockpit until making 300ish (10+psi or so)

We're addressing the gauge problem as well, as mounting the gauges on the apillar would honestly endanger the driver if the airbag ever went off.....our shop 'teg has all of the gauges in the glove compartment, but something tells me most scion owners (including myself) don't want to lose that useful space.....
B

 

What about low in the center "waterfall"? Block off the cubby and cigarette lighter (or let the lighter stick through) and maybe fit a couple gauges there. Or maybe a pod thet would sit on the dash above the vents in the middle. Another thought is a replacement plastic piece for the top of the steering column, with a gauge cup below the speedo (I've seen something similar for Mazda Proteges.) Just throwing out ideas (since I don't really like pillar mounts, airbags or no.)

 

I reference my wideband much more than my EGT. I was just speaking from my experience. And, at least in my case, my car's timing doesn't change very often, by accident. However, my a/f mixture is affected much more easily and readily.

Will a person who has maybe done 3 runs on the dyno really be able to tell if it's his timing if his EGT goes up 50 degrees? Or is the a/f going lean? Or rich? IMO, EGT's are a little imprecise without extensive time on the rollers.

However, I totally, 100%, agree that EGT and wideband should be used in conjunction. I guess I'm just trying to figure out which one would be the most useful and, hence, boughten first.

I like my ebc, and I have never had issues with it failing. I used the low setting for when it was raining. It was much harder to break the rearend loose that way.

-john

 

I can't wait. Looks like I'll only have to wait as long as I need to save some cash, though. Go, Solid Technology.

 

Would you guys recommend GReddy for both timers and boost controllers (although I know you don't recommend electronic)? They seem to be cheap, easy to mount (not strangely shaped like so many others), and GReddy has a fairly good reputation.

Also, (Solid/AGP) do you have any idea as to what accesories will be offered with your package? I know I'm gonna want an FMIC, but are you going to offer complete packages (electronics, gauges, et cetera) as well? Thanks a lot.

 

We (AGP) don't sell electronics. Solid can get them.

I would STRONGLY recommend a manual controller. I get calls daily about people having trouble with boost and its ALWAYS the damn EBC they are running.

Greddy is good. All turbo timers do the SAME thing. Personally I don't like TTs, and had one for about a month, then took it off. If you drive your car very hard, let it idle for 30 seconds or so before turning the car off, if you drive normal, then no cool down is needed. There are plenty of factory turbo cars running 100k+ miles without turbo timers.

FMIC, cat, external dump, ceramic coating, choice of BOV, probably color of piping, boost controller choice, and other stuff should all be options. AGP is NOT making a kit , so I can't say for sure. Best bet is to get ahold of Solid. We are partnering with them to help them produce the kits, but the ball is in their court.

 

Gotcha. Thanks a lot.