HTB2 performance w/ VA C3.1 & Power Pup

[JStieger]

First off this VA C3. 1 is one smooth running box! I can't believe I waited this long to get one.



Anyhow, when I first installed the regular HTB2/62/12 2 weeks ago I couldn't get over 22-24 lbs boost as I didn't have a pressure box for boost fooling and I didn't want to set overboost codes. EGT's at the time with the Power Pup on performance or extreme were about 200 F less than the stock turbo, but I really couldn't get on it because of the weather and I was still breaking the turbo in.



So today the VA goes on and the weather as well as roads cleared a lot better. Put the VA on the top setting, leave the Pup on performance, and off to the interstate on-ramps I go (which are slightly uphill). Here's what happened:



*Hit 4th WOT, 32-34 lbs boost and clutch slips - EGTs hold steady at 1100-1150.

*Hit 5th and repeat above. Hit 6th and repeat above.

*3rd through 6th gear = nice clouds of pillowy black smoke between shifts, but clears up quick.



The rpms where the clutch started slipping was around 1800-2000 rpm at WOT, which I guess makes sense since this is where the VA is supposed to make its most torque (based on DLeno's box summary). When the clutch started slipping I just let off the throttle a bit and then rolled into it and no more slipping.



Everything was happening so fast that I didn't see what my fuel pressure was doing (pusher pump not in yet), but from a quick glance it was lower, maybe the low end of 2 psi at WOT.



Back to the VAC3. 1 - it felts like a good complement to the mid-to-upper end of the Power Pup. The stack at idle or putzing around town feels like stock. When you get on it it's not jerky at all - reaaal smooooth and pushes you back in the seat - kind of the same feeling when taking off in an airplane!



In a month or so, the Southbend Con FE is going in!

 

[Gypsyman]

Glad to see someone else finally stack with the VA. It is one smooth little box in a stack isn't it.



Richard

 

[JStieger]

Gypsyman-



What settings do you normally run on the both the TST and VA? And the follow up - what settings on both do you feel comfortable running UP TO? I am thinking about ditching the power pup and either:



1) TST (if I can trust myself to exercise self-control!) or

2) VA C3. 2 (for reasons of owning the VAC3. 1) or

3) Juice (but I hate the idea of buying the Attitude just to get the extra settings)



Didn't you run a VA C3. 2 before the C3. 1? Did you strictly get rid of the C3. 2 to get the timing and duration features of the TST?



On the TST, does the Power setting control timing? And does the Torque setting control duration?



A few TDRers are running both VA's stacked, but with stock turbos, and getting the high EGT issues pretty quick. I am wondering how our upgraded turbos (your B1-04 and my HTB2) would handle that stack?

 

[Digger]

Anyhow, when I first installed the regular HTB2/62/12 2 weeks ago I couldn't get over 22-24 lbs boost as I didn't have a pressure box for boost fooling and I didn't want to set overboost codes. EGT's at the time with the Power Pup on performance or extreme were about 200 F less than the stock turbo, but I really couldn't get on it because of the weather and I was still breaking the turbo in.

JStieger,



Doesn't the power pup do boost fooling also????

 

[JStieger]

Digger-



It didn't appear to.



When I had the pup only and stock turbo, the boost would max out at around 24 psi at WOT and then the EGT would start climbing - usually in 6th gear and around 70 mph.



Then when I installed the new turbo with just the pup, I would just get up to 24 psi boost and it held steady for a few seconds before I let off because the roads were crappy.



Then I did a search on the forums and found that members that have upgraded their turbos, stated that they bought at least a pressure box to get the boost fooling capability to take advantage of the higher available boost.



Yesterday, I turned the VA off, but left plugged in for just the boost fooling, and I was able to get to about 34 psi before my clutch barely started slipping with the bullydog on performance.



With the stock turbo, no boost fooling, and the pup on highest setting I wasn't even able to slip my clutch while rolling down the road!

 

[Gypsyman]

What settings do you normally run on the both the TST and VA? And the follow up - what settings on both do you feel comfortable running UP TO?

With the new program on the TST I can run 5x5 and 100% on the VA all day long. This is a great stack and smooth driving when your not matted. No need to turn the TST up and down constantly. The new TST program doesn't start fueling until it sees 10 lbs of boost and isn't "all in" until 34 lbs so the VA helps with the spool down low and the TST takes over on the top with a very smooth transition in between.

I am thinking about ditching the power pup and either:



1) TST (if I can trust myself to exercise self-control!) or

2) VA C3. 2 (for reasons of owning the VAC3. 1) or

3) Juice (but I hate the idea of buying the Attitude just to get the extra settings)



Didn't you run a VA C3. 2 before the C3. 1? Did you strictly get rid of the C3. 2 to get the timing and duration features of the TST?)

Yes, I did run the C3. 2 for quite a while. Then I went an a box testing spree and ended up with the TST. Once I had tried it I never went back to any of the others. Of the boxes listed above I would go with the TST hands down.

On the TST, does the Power setting control timing? And does the Torque setting control duration?

Timing is still based on boost and rpm. The TE setting controls max fueling at 1600 rpm and the PL settings are max fueling at 2900 rpm. Since the new program doesn't fuel until it sees 10 lbs of boost the TE levels don't come on as hard down low as the original box did. This is why the VA C3. 1 is a great stack with the new program. Smooth torque from the VA until the turbo spools and then the TST comes on line and takes over.

A few TDRers are running both VA's stacked, but with stock turbos, and getting the high EGT issues pretty quick. I am wondering how our upgraded turbos (your B1-04 and my HTB2) would handle that stack?

The B1-04 is a good turbo for this stack because of the fast spool. I wouldn't use it for pulling but for drag and street racing it's a great combo. You can run matted on 5x5 and 100% pressure with little concern other than your max boost. You'll need to take some time to get the wastegate set correctly for your stack.



Hope I didn't miss anything, :-laf



Richard

 

[JStieger]

Hope I didn't miss anything, :-laf



Richard

Far from it and then some - Thanks for the advice!