Upgraded Wastegate Actuators

[xlnt6]

Danno,

To answer some of your earlier questions. The wastegate actuator is upgraded as the stock spring rate is to weak to hold / maintain good boost control when boost pressure is increased. It varies as to what PSI it works to, but about 12-14psi is about it. After that the exhaust back pressure pushes the wastegate flap open, and maximum boost is capped at that point.

The replacement type is a direct fittment garett actuator (which has a stronger spring), which sell for about $150 from a garrett agent. They have an adjustable rod length, so you can pre-load the wastegate and prevent wastegate creep. This results in faster boost rise rate and the ability to hold much higher boost at high RPM.

I fitted mine myself as I run 18psi. It can be done without removing the turbo, but it's a b**ch as the actuator is located between the turbo and the engine, under the exhaust manifold. You need long extension bars to reach the two small nuts holding the actuator to the mounting bracket, and then you need to undo the circlip at the turbine housing. Once out, it's a sh*t of a job to get the circlip back on once the new actuator is in place. Also the actuator pressure line is not on the side like the factory one, it's one the end so the hose may not be long enough.

Cheers

Robin.

[Terebro]

Would you suggest this Garret actuator or to simply replace the spring in the standard actuator?

Any advantages done by doing one over the other?

[F6 UTE]

  Terebro said:

Would you suggest this Garret actuator or to simply replace the spring in the standard actuator?

Any advantages done by doing one over the other?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sealed unit Terebro..

I can get one, or Greggles can get you one cheapish.

Mine cost me $100 including the new adjustable actuator assy. b**ch to fit, turbo removal is easiest, and that's still a pain. ( 5hr job for me)

[Romulus]

Done it too, as boost was maxing out at 12psi at high rpm. After I had it replaced max boost is now at 16-17psi, which makes sense as the replacement unit is a 8psi unit; the factory one is 4psi.

[Dannopower]

So, an upgraded actuator for something like my car would probably allow the boost to be mosre conststant?

Instead of it kicking in at 15psi and tapering off to 9.5, It would hold a straighter line and be at say 14psi at 5500rpm? Thus increasing my top end power I guess.

How many of you guys have upgraded the actuator without changing the valve springs if this is the case??

[Terebro]

  F6 UTE said:

Sealed unit Terebro..

I can get one, or Greggles can get you one cheapish.

Mine cost me $100 including the new adjustable actuator assy. b**ch to fit, turbo removal is easiest, and that's still a pain. ( 5hr job for me)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That might be good... Barry was going to locate one for me but I'll keep that in mind cheers.

[Muzza]

  Dannopower said:

How many of you guys have upgraded the actuator without changing the valve springs if this is the case??

More than you think, it will enable a more consistint boost for sure but Stronger Valve spring to a point enable more energy from each ignition.

Springs will be one of my next upgrades.

Muzza.