I have got my truck running pretty well right now and if it stays like it is now that won't bother me a bit.

One thing that does bother me though, is that when I really put my foot down, my boost will climb up to 29-30 psi very quickly, especially on a hotter tuner setting. My EGT's rarely get over 1100 before my boost reading is flashing red.

It's my understanding that there is a wastegate built into the turbo. Is that correct? If so, then how can I prevent my boost from going over a preset limit?

I know that turbo gas motors use a BOV or a wastegate to dump the excess pressure. Would it be feasible to install a stand-alone wastegate somewhere in the CAC tubing to ensure that I don't overboost the motor?

 

No, no wastegate.

If you're not going over 30, it probably is working as designed. Depending on what calibration you are running.

 

if u dnt have headstuds, then 28psi should be the max for boost. anything over that, u risk stretching head bolts. there is no wastegate on these turbos. there are variable geometry turbos (VGT's) and they have veins on the exhaust side that adjust to maximize boost throughout the rpm range. the only way to control boost is to monitor it with ur gauges and set alarms at the appropriate values.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am getting the alarms but on the more aggressive settings the boost climbs so quickly once the turbo spools up that you just about have to get out of it as soon as it starts pulling hard.

I know how I am and it's only a matter of time before I lift the heads, so I figured I should start the plan "b" now.

Does anyone know the max recommended boost that a 6.0 can handle with studs? How about with studs and O-ring heads?

I never thought I would ask someone how to help my truck slow down........

 

U won't hav to worry too much about boost after studs. Also, there hav been many cases where o-ringed heads hav caused more problems. There are trucks out here runnin 750hp+ on studs and oem gaskets. One guy put 190cc injectors and said he could push his stock turbo past 45psi lol. If u go with bigger injectors, people about 155cc usually get a powermax turbo.

 

A wastegate is a little different than what your looking for but you don't want either option as the variable geometry turbo is able to cope without these aforementioned add-ons.

 

Your best bet is going to be to dump that Edge, and get custom tunes.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but...

Honestly though, I hit 29# on a completely stock truck with stock calibration.

 

I don't know if I trust the edge for reading boost, mine says it boosts up to 29 lbs. Hooked up a buddies AE and pegged boost at 21 psi dropping off at 3k rpm. I have studs, just need a custom tune.

 

That doesn't sound right. Both devices are reading a PID in the PCM. Should be the same. My Edge always matches the dash gauge too.

 

I agree. Ur edge will kill ur tranny and with an sct, there is so much tranny tuning that it really puts the power to the wheels. Then u should get some manual gauges or an edge cts for monitoring only.

 

I don't know if its right or not. But I saw the results myself. AE showed the same thing for different tunes. He may of had the wrong info plugged into the AE, but would it matter since I have the powermax?

 

If my boost is going as high as 30 PSI, and my motor is designed for no more than 26 PSI, then the variable geometry either is not tuned correctly, or it is not working properly. If the tuning is the issue, then I will elect to keep the tune and work around it because I am getting a really good combination of power and economy with the setup that I have. My most apparent options are either a wastegate on the exhaust side, or a BOV on the intake side to control the maximum boost regardless of what the variable geometry does.

I have the 6-speed, so issues with the edge's transmission tuning are not a concern. I went through 4 E4OD's on my 97, and I swore countless times that my next truck would have a standard and it does.

 

I'm not too familiar with the edge tuners... can you set defuel levels on them? My bullydog has defuel settings so it won't let the truck go past set limits for boost, pyro, oil, trans, and coolant. If you hit them it starts beeping and detunes the truck until you are back in a safe range. You might want to check to see if the edge has that feature.

 

Bullydogs have also been known to trash torqueshift trannys.

 

Your motor was actually designed for more than 30psi. My '06 boost gauge still shows redline at 35psi. But we all know the head bolts won't take it long term.

You seem to love the Edge performance, but then you are trying to externally change the Edge parameters. Why not just recongize that it is poorly designed and get rid of it? After a lot of screwing around trying to add a wastegate, if you even get it to work, you will be overriding the Edge parameters anyway. Not to mention, the time and cost of modifying the system with a wastegate would probably pay for a tuner.