I was fooling around today with this Boost Accuator, seeing what it would do..well after messing around with a socket to get the 10mm I said forget it, and went out driving to cool off. I really started to notice im only running like maybe 8.5 psi, im running JDM Cold Air, and JDM chip. Ive read, and talked to people where running around 10! stock! WTF?! Is someting stuck in my S/C?! Or should I mess with the Boost accuator more, and if so, what did you guys use to get to the 10mm bolts?

I just dont understand why it would only be 8.5 with the filter when most people run 10 stock...I never even noticed what it ran stock, but I would assume 8 or under psi.

 

The 10lbs is due to a suspect boost gauge because mines gets pegged at 10, too (I'm so stock, it's not even funny). If I were to put in an aftermarket boost gauge, it'd probably read 8 PSI. Once you start to play with the boost actuator, it's hard to say what the stock gauge will read.

 

Don't believe the factory boost guage!!!!!

Mine's zero (engine not running) is a little over 5# below the zero area on the guage. Thus, 8# of boost reads 6. I should have a little over 10#, but it reads slightly over 8. Keep in mind that the factory boost guage is just like the other guages - "idiot guages" I call them. One small notch above an idiot light!

 

The boost you see on the gauge can be a little misleading.

There are alot of factors that will dictate how much boost your L will make. What is the temperature outside? How high above sea level are you at? What is the relative barometric pressure outside? Other things to consider are what mods you have done to your truck.
Another thing to consider is that a high boost gauge reading isn't necessarily a good thing. I mean, you want positive pressure, but excessive amounts of hot compressed air in your intake is a sign of inefficiency. You may be generating 2-3 more lbs of boost with a pulley, but you are also heating the air considerably, and we all know that hot air is less dense then cool air. I've seen instances (with Turbo Buicks) where more boost without more cooling actually made less power or at the very least it made similar power to a lower boost level that was properly cooled. Mine makes 8.5 psi normally. On a cold night/morning, or if I go to San Diego. . .then it makes a bit more- sometimes even going over 10 lbs. But on a hot day or if I go up in the mountains, then I see my boost readings go down to 6-7 psi. So what you are seeing is totally normal.

Hope this helps,

 

I've noticed while making a pass at the drag strip, the needle will actually go way past the 10# max. I'm sure its not accurate, because that would mean it was making something like 15# of boost. (I'm bone stock).

 

Something I've seen in my experience. I just put an Autometer Ultralite Boost/Vac guage in my 2001 L. Before, with the stock guage, it pegged at 10, however with the new, more accurate guage, it pegs at 8. So, it's just a non-accurate stock guage that we've got.


2000 Black L-TRADED IN
------->
2001 Black L
-Autometer Boost/Vac & Water Temp. Guages
-Bassani Cat-back Exhaust


Soon to come:
-JL DeltaChip
-JL Air Induction Kit
-JL 4# Pulley
-Denso Plugs