Fobio
05-20-2011, 12:52 PM
This is posted by Lex on msf.org. This helps with boost control issues during tuning and possibly weather changes. This is not a product everyone NEEDS, but those who know of the finicky behaviour of tuning a MS3 will certainly appraciate its functions. Lex is Canadian...and I've been known to have a "home country bias"...so let's see some support and I can pass along any questions you may have.
An example of its usage...when you go big turbo, you will have to retune. In case you left your WGDC unchanged, and causing uncontrollable spikes and overboosting, this device will alleviate the extra pressure in a smooth manner with an indicator light to show that the system has been tripped. Once out of the danger zone, the system resets itself.
It is currently in testing and prototyping phase, but Lex has been working with Mazda's for a long time, so I expect the development to come to fruition sometime this year.
Thread on msf.org: The Guardian Angel for your motor
(http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f10/guardian-angel-your-motor-81202/)
Some of you may know this - but I own a small company where we build tuning solutions. Our focus so far has been with older vehicles and Megasquirt - the name is Stratified Automotive Controls. You can check out the site if you like at Stratified Automotive Controls (http://www.stratifiedauto.com).
When Joe (FORZDA) blew his motor due to a boost spike while tuning, I came up with an idea for a product that I feel can benefit the MS community. We built a prototype and are testing on the MS3 and I want to test the waters before going with a full on production.
The Guardian Angel is an electromechanical device that prevents boost spikes or uncontrolled boost. It attaches to the BOV, has a threshold that you set (up to 44psi) and will release the BOV if you go above that threshold. It resets itself automatically once the boost has left the "danger zone."
There are several nice things about this:
- This will save your butt from all kinds of boost spikes and uncontrolled boost - saving your motor in the process. We know boost spikes cause detonation and detonation pops motors.
- Wastegate mechanical failures such as popped off lines are averted
- Boost controller failure
- Tuning failures or distractions
- Perfect for tuning with the AP where changes are not in real time or when E-tuning
- Cold temps causing boost spikes etc
- This will work with stock and aftermarket valves
- If you're running a recirculating valve, the cut will be a soft one compared to the stock spark/fuel cut. So it won't be like hitting a wall which is nice if you're in the middle of passing or merging.
- There will be an LED that lets you know the system has been tripped so you don't sit there over-spinning the turbo.
- The valve will react very quickly - much quicker than our OEM cut does - especially since most of us set load cut much too high to help in the event of a spike
Essentially, I can pull the wastegate line off my super fast spooling K04, floor it, and this will save my butt and motor. Video of this coming up ... for now here's a short log showing how the car won't make more than 8psi at 80% wastegate duty cycle when the Guardian Angel is set to 8psi.
http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30322&stc=1&d=1305868677
EDIT: Here's a short and not so exciting video
Don't mind the wires, that's just temporary for testing purposes.
The log above is from one of these pulls. I hit the threshold, it holds the limit (you can hear the turbo spooling), and I get off the throttle so the device is reset (LED goes off).
Notice how smoothly the car limits boost, my camera guy in the back moves around more because of the bumps in the road. No backfires or harsh cuts.
** I realize you don't see the boost gauge this is why I included the log **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkG3LCPp4UM&feature=player_embedded
Who is interested in a "save my ass, I ****ed up, but at least it won't be a fail" device like this? Comments welcome and appreciated. If we go into production and offer it here, we'll setup vendorship as needed.
An example of its usage...when you go big turbo, you will have to retune. In case you left your WGDC unchanged, and causing uncontrollable spikes and overboosting, this device will alleviate the extra pressure in a smooth manner with an indicator light to show that the system has been tripped. Once out of the danger zone, the system resets itself.
It is currently in testing and prototyping phase, but Lex has been working with Mazda's for a long time, so I expect the development to come to fruition sometime this year.
Thread on msf.org: The Guardian Angel for your motor
(http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f10/guardian-angel-your-motor-81202/)
Some of you may know this - but I own a small company where we build tuning solutions. Our focus so far has been with older vehicles and Megasquirt - the name is Stratified Automotive Controls. You can check out the site if you like at Stratified Automotive Controls (http://www.stratifiedauto.com).
When Joe (FORZDA) blew his motor due to a boost spike while tuning, I came up with an idea for a product that I feel can benefit the MS community. We built a prototype and are testing on the MS3 and I want to test the waters before going with a full on production.
The Guardian Angel is an electromechanical device that prevents boost spikes or uncontrolled boost. It attaches to the BOV, has a threshold that you set (up to 44psi) and will release the BOV if you go above that threshold. It resets itself automatically once the boost has left the "danger zone."
There are several nice things about this:
- This will save your butt from all kinds of boost spikes and uncontrolled boost - saving your motor in the process. We know boost spikes cause detonation and detonation pops motors.
- Wastegate mechanical failures such as popped off lines are averted
- Boost controller failure
- Tuning failures or distractions
- Perfect for tuning with the AP where changes are not in real time or when E-tuning
- Cold temps causing boost spikes etc
- This will work with stock and aftermarket valves
- If you're running a recirculating valve, the cut will be a soft one compared to the stock spark/fuel cut. So it won't be like hitting a wall which is nice if you're in the middle of passing or merging.
- There will be an LED that lets you know the system has been tripped so you don't sit there over-spinning the turbo.
- The valve will react very quickly - much quicker than our OEM cut does - especially since most of us set load cut much too high to help in the event of a spike
Essentially, I can pull the wastegate line off my super fast spooling K04, floor it, and this will save my butt and motor. Video of this coming up ... for now here's a short log showing how the car won't make more than 8psi at 80% wastegate duty cycle when the Guardian Angel is set to 8psi.
http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30322&stc=1&d=1305868677
EDIT: Here's a short and not so exciting video
Don't mind the wires, that's just temporary for testing purposes.
The log above is from one of these pulls. I hit the threshold, it holds the limit (you can hear the turbo spooling), and I get off the throttle so the device is reset (LED goes off).
Notice how smoothly the car limits boost, my camera guy in the back moves around more because of the bumps in the road. No backfires or harsh cuts.
** I realize you don't see the boost gauge this is why I included the log **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkG3LCPp4UM&feature=player_embedded
Who is interested in a "save my ass, I ****ed up, but at least it won't be a fail" device like this? Comments welcome and appreciated. If we go into production and offer it here, we'll setup vendorship as needed.