SR20DET heat/boost issues

[ClutchKickOrDie]

Thanks for hearing me out on my first thread. I've been looking around the forums for about 2 days now and cant find anything similar to what I'm experiencing with my S13. It has a black top engine from a 180sx.

I installed a D-Max header, outlet pipe, and downpipe last year and everything was boosting and working fine. Then, this January I installed a Apex-i AVC-R boost controller and set it to .7 bar (about 10 PSI) and that was working fine for a while. Now, when I drive it hard when it is getting warmed up, it boosts like a dream and I have no complaints. However, once the engine bay starts heating up, my boost gauge and AVC-R say that she's still boosting .7 bar, but she wont accelerate quickly at all. Sometimes, under this condition, if I'm driving up a hill I hear a pop that sounds like built up pressure is being released suddenly and she sputters during the popping noise, boost drops and comes right back. I noticed the manifold glows red hot when I push her hard, so the high heat is what I believe to be part of the problem. Once I drive normally and cool her down, she boosts fine again, until i boost her more...

A few months ago i forgot to tighten a hose from the blow-off valve piping to the intercooler and she made the same popping noise. So I figured I just had a boost leak and the hoses were old. So i replaced them with silicone ones, but the popping noise still continues...I've double checked all the piping connections...

Any thoughts????

S13 Black Top
S14 Ball-bearing turbo
DMAX Exhaust Manifold, Outlet Pipe, Downpipe
Blitz Front mount intercooler
Stock ECU
Apex-i AVC-R

[compactfean]

You have a couple issues going on.
A: you need to do a boost leak test and see what is suddenly releasing your boost
B: if your exhaust Mani is glowing than your Ignition timing is way retarded (not stupid retarded ) lol. Are you fmic'd? I'd check your codes and see if you are having knock sensor issues and also check your base timing.

[ClutchKickOrDie]

Ok, I did a boost leak test and there is nothing going on with the piping. The exhaust manifold is an aftermarket DMAX and only glows red after really hard runs. I'll Check the timing just to be sure though and get back...

I have a big FMIC....