Ensure you have an over-boost cut-out. This safety feature is built into all factory, aftermarket & programmable ECUs. You can never be too careful. Make sure it is set to a sensible& reasonable limit. Increasing the boost will put more load on your engine, and you must consider other tune-related factors. If in any doubt, speak with a professional tuner/calibrator.
What is the StraightGate all about?
The StraightGate76 from Turbosmart is a butterfly-style external wastegate that uses a zero-offset and self-balancing butterfly valve to control exhaust gas flow. Unlike the traditional poppet-style valve, these wastegates both flow highly high amounts of gas thanks to the efficiency of such a valve, over a poppet style, but also much greater control. All wastegates have a dynamic performance where the flow can be measured against lift. A Poppet style generally has a relatively large flow at the initial opening and low lift, which hen tends to flatten out as the valve lifts. StriaghtGate50, by comparison, has a very linear flow versus opening angle, especially with greater resolution around the initial opening and low opening angles.
Self-Balancing?
Yes. The StraightGate76 uses a zero-offset style butterfly valve, and this means that at any point in time, the exhaust gas energy applied to the valve is offset by the fact the force is being used to the side of the valve that opens as well as the side of the valve that closes. This effective force equals zero, meaning theoretically, no matter what force is applied, it is balanced with no effect on the valve position. This means the wastegate is massively easier to control, which means lighter springs can be used, a faster response can be achieved and better real-world performance and reliability.
Over 5 X Base Pressure?
Yes. Traditional Poppet style wastegates generally achieve 2-3 times the base spring pressure in overall pressure. For 10 psi of base spring pressure, you can likely achieve between 20-30psi of overall pressure with reference manipulation and boost control. The StraightGate76, however, benefits from the self-balancing zero-offset butterfly valve and can provide a much larger tuning window. The StriaghtGate76 can achieve more than five times the base pressure, so for the same 10psi spring example above, you can expect over 50psi total boost with reference manipulation and boost control.
What do I need to control them?
Unlike the Electronic StraightGate's, which requires advanced control strategies and electornic hardware, the Pneumatic Series of StraightGate requires fairly common control strategies. A simple Boost-Tee will run and make great results from the Boost-Based version. Simple reference manipulation and controlled bleed – the kind of boost control that has been commonplace for decades.
What Mounting Options do I have?
There are design elements to ensure the least heat transfer possible into the diaphragm housing, and we have validated this to 1300 Degrees C with no impact on performance and reliability. The V-Band allows rotation through 360 degrees with no effect on valve operation. Furthermore, the Billet Actuator bracket can be clocked to any of the three options provided by the 3-pin mounting system, providing a huge range of mounting options to fit into even the most complex and packed modern engine bay. Like all things, however, the best way to mount the unit would be to acknowledge the basics. Exhausts and manifolds are hot and heat rises spots further away from the heat source, and where possible, below it (rather than directly on-top) is ideal if possible. Also, to note, even OEM actuators on turbocharged factory cars place actuators in front of the turbo, in a stream of engine bay air-flow, so offering your wastegate the same courtesy will ensure a long and trouble-free service life.