HKS SSQV troubles

[jdmsilvia240sx]

Alright guys, lets see if you can help me once more. I just installed the hks ssqv and I'm having some trouble. Basically, I hooked up vacuum to the throttle body where the stock valve was hooked up. I disconnected the stock vavle for now under the assumption that it would not leak (could be wrong) and the problem is this - it sounds like there is a lot of compressor surge everytime I let off the gas, and the hks valve doesn't seem to be opening (I heard the small valve open once or twice). Also, I'm set at stock boost, but my gauge is only showing that I'm making about 5-6psi as opposed to the normal 7-8.

-Am I losing pressure from the stock valve and should I remove it and cap it off?-Should I find a different vacuum source that might be stronger?

Thanks in advance for any responses; everyone is always very helpful.

[stumpz]

i donno, maybe it's tightened too tight? i won't be able to answer your other question accurately because when i got my ssqv i had a front mount. sooooo. i donno, i hope you fix yer problem tho!

[SpeedRacer1]

Usually the stock recirc will still release air unless it is capped off. A recirc of BOV works like this: It gets pressure trying to push the valve open, under this condition it will not open unless you are coming off higher boost. What helps the valve open is the vacuum from the throttle body. Thus when you are flooring it, the charged air is trying to open the valve, but the vacuum from the throttle body is pushing it closed. When you come off the gas the charged air is still in the system, but the vacuum is now sucking the valve open and air is released.

The recirc will most likely leak unless capped off on the intercooler and at the intake tube. If it is infact leaking, then the charge air will be recirculating through that valve than the BOV (ie path of least resistance). You should try capping off the recirc. Then try to tune the BOV.

[jdmsilvia240sx]

Well, today I capped the recirc. valve and now I hold boost just fine. However, the hks valve still doesn't work. All I hear is fluttering like some compressor surge and I know for a fact the hks valve sounds nothing like that. I still have the vacuum line hooked up to the throttle body where the factory recirc. valve was. I also tried adjusting the hks valve, but got no results. Suggestions, please. Thanks again for the responses.

[stumpz]

hrmmmm, maybe they sent you a bad bov? i donno man, i had no troubles at all.

[SpeedRacer1]

You should try to loosen it alot. It should make a piercing sound like what you hear in too fast too furious...

The fluttering may not be so abnormal, I know that on ball bearing turbos a little flutter is normal. But try and loosen it!

HKS does make 3 or 4 springs set for different pressure levels. I doubt you got a really hard spring, but who knows.

[Cyberkreig]

what vaccume port do you have this thing connected to? I have been TOLD that they are all the same.. but i dont trust that little port on the bottom of the TB, It just too wussy lookin for me, I run my BOV off of the largest port.

[SpeedRacer1]

Sometimes the ports dont actually flow any air. Just open one and see if its in vacuum.

[jdmsilvia240sx]

Yeah, I just re-routed my vacuum line to make it shorter and straighter but no luck. I guess maybe I'll try a new vacuum source and see if that works. Right now I am using the one on the bottom of the tb (the small one that is hooked up to the factory recirc. valve). It's weird though because there were a few times where the hks valve opened and it startled me because I wasn't expecting it. That vacuum source must not consistent, I guess. Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll post and let you know the status.

[hokiruu]

I know exactly what you are talking about. It gets even more confusing when you have three different preprogrammed boost channels. sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I have been dealing with the same concerns for months now. The truth is, from my experience and everyone i have talked to, most BOVs will flutter at some point (either high boost or a gentle deceleration) regardless of how they are adjusted. This is not necessarily compressor surge! mine sounded like it was coming from the intake, not BOV, but i could still feel the air being discharged from the BOV with my hand after an idle rev. the important thing is that you have it adjusted tight enough so that it doesn't leak under high boost. if it is leaking under high boost, your car will bog really hard, around 4500 rpm. although it wont always sound like a clean, simple, 'whoosh", your turbo is not going to die. i have mine adjusted now so that it goes a clean "whoosh" shifting from 1st to second, and higher gears have a slight flutter, and this is how many people say is normal.here's how to adjust it:loosen the nut on the spring adjustment allen bolt on the back of the BOV so that you can adjust the bolt with your fingers. screw it out. screw it back in until you feel the resistance from the spring loaded piston. the use an allen key to adjust it about 1-3 turns, depending on how how much boost you are running. if it leaks (you will be able to hear and feel it), tighten it a bit. you want to find that sweet spot where it holds just enough not to leak, but still discharges. it may still flutter at this point, bit that's okay. if i'm wrong, and i blow my turbo, i'll be sure to let you know. but this is the best i have been able to come up with through hours of trial and error an talking to people.

[jdmsilvia240sx]

Well, I tryed a few of the suggestions, and it turned out that in fact the tb vacuum line was the problem. I switched the vacuum line and adjusted the hks valve and now...whooooosh! Thanks for all of the responses guys. It's always much appreciated.