I'm new to turbocharged engines and have a quick question. If I'm running a 6lb wastegate spring and I set my boost to 16lb, will the wastegate leak pressure to the dump tube at 6lb or 16lb? Also, if its a 6lb spring, will the dump tube start screaming at 6lb or 16lb?

 

Weirdly worded questions but to put it simple and in a perfect world - the wastegate will open at the pressure you designate. However, there are many variables that can be introduced into the equation that can change what boost you actually see. The wastegate will open only when the pressure desired has been achieved assuming the correct setup is in place. The only alternative to this is settings like quick-spool in some EMSs.

Another way to explain it in simple tongue - you can always run AT wastegate spring pressure or HIGHER than wastegate spring pressure but you will NOT be able to run lower pressure than wastegate spring pressure.

I hope this helps, I am not very good at simplified speak haha.

 

By "setting my boost" I'm going to assume you mean you have a boost controller in the mix…

If setup properly you should be able to push your psi paste the wastegate spring rating. From what I read in the past it wasn't recommended that you went more than 2x the wastegate spring size but it seems people are going higher nowadays with hondata's setup.

The dump tube just routes the exhaust gases that the wastegate is letting out. You will hear the louder exhaust tones whenever the wastegate opens up.

 

Ok makes kind of sense. And yes, i bought the car tuned on 16lb and had a 6lb spring in the wastegate. So therefore, the wastegate will open at 16lb and thats when it dumps the air into the tube right?

 

Yes, consider it this way: When you reach your desired boost level, the wastegate diverts the excess exhaust gas around the turbine since more exhaust gas through the turbine would continue to spool the turbo faster. By bypassing exhaust around the turbine, there is a steady flow (at your desired boost level) and boost level remains constant. The rest of the exhaust that isn't spooling the turbo runs out through the dump tube (screamer pipe)

 

No air gets dumped.

If you moved the ebc setting then its different.

If you don't have a boost gauge you shouldn't be driving a boosted civic..

 

I don't have a boost gauge.... ****

 

You don't? Boy oh boy do I have news for you...

 

I bet there's nothing stock on your car either

I heard your turbo has a built in boost gauge anyway.