Non Big Name Boost Controllers...

[julian2002]

Hi All,
my gto is finally getting a new gearbox, clutch, rear engine seal, tyres and other general fettling. so i'll finally be in a position to address my greed for speed and my low boost problem. currently i'm at wastegate pressure- 6psi MAX. so i'm reckoning that the stock solenoid is toast which gives me the perfect excuse to go for an ebc.
now being a bit of a tightwad and after the above mentioned necessities - and an increasing paranoia about my cambelt (no symptoms of impending failure but it will get sorted next month before the boost controller so i can forget it for a year or 3). i'm looking at some of the less well known ones. i've found 2 that come in at under 150 UKP from e-bay.
the HDI ebc
HDI full electronic boost controller UK (SPECIAL) on eBay, also Engine Tuning Parts, Performance Tuning Parts, Car Tuning Styling, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 08-May-08 18:16:43 BST)

and
the BCU+
NEW UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC TURBO BOOST CONTROLLER VALVE on eBay, also Engine Tuning Parts, Performance Tuning Parts, Car Tuning Styling, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 29-May-08 20:02:30 BST)

i already have a turbo timer and am unlikely to need the 2 control outputs on the bcu but do like the boost pressure display (although i already have a proper boost guage) and voltmeter functions.

the hdi is 40 quid cheaper and the only thing i'll be missing that i don;t already have is a voltmeter - but i have mmcd on a palm which can show this so meh... and 40 quid is almost a full tank of premium 'gas' over here.

so currently the hdi is in the lead as it does what i want and is cheap... however i'm a sucker for gizmos and who knows when the urge to spray nos into my engine or water onto my i/c's will occur.

anyway enough of my rambling - has anyone used / fitted / loved / hated either of these 2 bits of kit and if so would you be so kind as to share your experiences with me.

oh another factor (and perhaps the most important) is that it needs to be simple to fit - i'm a bit of a gimp when it comes to spannering - i can do it but it takes me a while....

cheers



julian.

[tarfin]

I'm certainly not a guru on the TT/VR4 but something as important as a boost controller I wouldn't want to cheap out on. Having one fail in the wrong mode might be a pretty costly event.

[Monster Stealth]

Isnt 150 quid like ~$300 USD? WHy dont you just by something like an AEM tru-boost or somehting along those lines and have it shipped over?

[TwIzTeD_3kGt]

Just get a manual one.

[mywetdream]

i am gonna get either the greddy profec b boost controller or the Blitz SBC i-Color Boost Controller...more so the profec b for the simple aspect of it

[julian2002]

i'd love to have the money for a blitz i-colour but unfortunately they cost about £500 over here ($1000). i realise that a boost controller isn't something you want to go wrong or it's blown engine time but this is why i'm asking if anyone has any experience with the units listed. i saw that someone has used the hdi on their gto and seemed to like it
unfortunately importing is a bitch - we get hammered on import duty - you even pay duty on the shipping costs (which are high anyway) and if i can keep money out of the mans hands i will.
a manual boost controller is an option but i like the idea of being able to just switch between boost settings without popping the hood or having to twiddle a knob and risk overboosting - also ebc's have overboost protection which i think is a good idea and i've heard that some mbc's can stick which isn;t good. of course all these problems could occur with an ebc but seem less likely if they are implemented properly.
so anyone used either of these things?