Does a boost controller add to gearbox wear?

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

mattyprice4004

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With the new 620ti, of course I need to fit the obligatory boost controller...
not to increase boost, just to ensure I can have full boost a bit quicker :)

My question to the realms of OcUK is this: will the boost coming in quicker damage the (reputedly fragile) gearbox?

It was rebuilt in 2006, like 10k miles ago. So I'd imagine it uses the new bearings that are tougher :)

Thanks!
 
Torque is the gearbox killer.. so if you get more torques, you have more chance of breaking it.

Out of interest since when did a manual boost controller make boost come in quicker? Thought it was just a means of adjusting the boost level?
 
ScoobyDoo69 said:
Torque is the gearbox killer.. so if you get more torques, you have more chance of breaking it.

Out of interest since when did a manual boost controller make boost come in quicker? Thought it was just a means of adjusting the boost level?
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They over-ride the wastegate, and because the wastegate starts to open before full boost is made, the boost comes in at full much sooner with a controller that doesn't allow any wasting until after full boost is made.

:)
 
I'm the dood that still has a coupe turbo :)
Torque is highest in first gear init. It's quite difficult to get traction in first tbh, almost doesn't feel like a proper gear; Ti will prolly feel different though.

Vitty sport rims looks the bomb on the Ti, imo :)
 
s0ck said:
I'm the dood that still has a coupe turbo :)
Torque is highest in first gear init. It's quite difficult to get traction in first tbh, almost doesn't feel like a proper gear; Ti will prolly feel different though.

Vitty sport rims looks the bomb on the Ti, imo :)
Click to expand...

Vitty wheels are coming soon, don't worry :p

Good to see a fellow owner on here, I never appreciated the T series on account of fuel useage, but a review on that showed me it really isn't that bad.

Have you had a rebuild, and do you reckon after one with the decent bearings I can abuse it like I do with the derv? :p

It's had a custom tough gear linkage fitted by the guy I bought it off, he makes them for Ti's and loads of people have them fitted that are on mg-rover.org.

:)
 
course it will what sort of question is that! :P anything that increases torque or power will add to gearbox wear if you drive it the same way as before
 
Well, mine has always been terrible on juice so I think you need to manage your expectations in that department :p
The box has never left the engine since I've owned it, although I do have letters/receipts from one of the previous owners whinging to Rover about it failing and them subsequently rebuilding it. I assume they would have used standard parts though.

There's really no need to abuse it. Once that controller is on (and a decat), it will be like night and day compared to the 420.
 
ScoobyDoo69 said:
Out of interest since when did a manual boost controller make boost come in quicker? Thought it was just a means of adjusting the boost level?
Click to expand...

On the Rover, the standard boost modulator increases the boost from 6psi upto 11.7psi over the rev range.

Replace that with a manual ball and spring controller and you'll see whatever boost level you want whenever the turbo can supply it... i.e. 12psi @ 2500rpm on the T25.

Compare a completely standard Rover Turbo with one fitted with a ball and spring controller and you'll have yourself an extra 30lb/ft of torque at around 2500rpm.

Mat, as has been mentioned it's the torque that kills the box and like I've said before, steel caged bearings aren't a magical fix. Not to mention, there's very little point in 1st gear if you've fitted a manual controller, it'll just spin up if you plant it. If you want to get moving quikcly, set off in 1st, take it easy (using hardly any boost) to 4k, change to 2nd and plant it... you'll drop straight to boost threshold and it'll pick up nicely!
 
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agw_01 said:
On the Rover, the standard boost modulator increases the boost from 6psi upto 11.7psi over the rev range.

Replace that with a manual ball and spring controller and you'll see whatever boost level you want whenever the turbo can supply it... i.e. 12psi @ 2500rpm on the T25.

Compare a completely standard Rover Turbo with one fitted with a ball and spring controller and you'll have yourself an extra 30lb/ft of torque at around 2500rpm.

Mat, as has been mentioned it's the torque that kills the box. Like I've said before, steel caged bearings aren't a magical fix. Not to mention, there's very little point in 1st gear if you've fitted a manual controller, it'll just spin up.
Click to expand...

Oh bummer :p

I'll just watch it in first, let people think they've won and annhilate in second :p

Can't wait to pick it up... 7 days now :)
 
1st is just a gear to get the car rolling, it's not worth flooring it in first because you'll just light up the wheels and kill your gearbox.
 
I guess this is all very similar to my Fiat Coupe.

I had a PRV fitted which gave full boost at much lower revs than the standard controller.

However it did end up making the car very 'snorty'. The accelerator became more of an on or off pedal. Fast launches were difficult. You have to balance between stalling the turbo and lighting up the wheels.

I would have thought the most pressure was on the gearbox in the higher gears. Or is that just the clutch.
 
I still have a lot to learn, there's a very big community for fiddling with the T series lump and it's not hard to see why - one guy is running 800bhp from one!

I'll just get my head down (in work of course :p) and do my reading up, all this modulated boost and torque killing gearboxes is new to me.

As far as I'm concerned, anything in a car that isn't the engine is black magic - I don't really have a lot of knowledge on drivetrain components, suspension etc. :)
 
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