Hey all, as I know zero about turbos....need alittle help here.

I'd like the cool "Vader" sound but need to know more.

1st, does this help/hurt performance?
2nd, can I safely mod the factory one? Or will I need something new.
3rd, will this damage anything in the motor? I know GM will not cover aftermarket parts, just wondering if it has an effect on other parts. Kind of cause/effect if ya know what I mean.
$th, how to? any good how to links?

Thanks for any positive comments.......Jer

 

Don't know everything.... But for what its worth. A BOV will help release pressure between shifts, allowing the turbo to boost a little harder. You will need a tune of some sort to keep from throwing codes, The GMPP Turbo Upgrade will allow you to add a BOV and will not re-learn back to stock. You will also need some vacumn tubing to re-route where the factory BOV is, you will also need a block-off plate for the factory tweeter, and most importantly...you will need new IC tubing to mount the BOV on. I don't know if A BOV will void warranty, ask ChevyMgr, he could tell you. Most of the guys who have upgraded the IC tubing, can argue that the metal tubing is far superior to the molded plastic, and thus better for the car overall, but this could vary from dealership to dealership. Best bet, go talk to your local service manager, to see what you can do..... For instance, a NO-Cat back exhaust doesn't mess with your engine internals, but chevy could argue that the added 12HP could cause internal damages and not honor your warranty. Hope this helps.

 

look into my photos. you can see mine. it was done by SSA Secret Services Auto here in Houston.

 

yikes....sounds like alot of work, gcsd...can you pm me with the pic location? your pb acct has like 9 pages Thanks Jer

 

Has anyone just tried to mount the aftermarket BOV directly to the dealer by-pass valve itself. I am fairly new to turbo systems (first turbo vehicle). Why is it that you can't remove the inner parts of the by-pass valve (spring,diaphram etc.) and mount the BOV there at the original location and connect the current vaccume hose? Wouldn't the new BOV act the same as what the by-pass valve was doing? Can someone explain why not?.......

 

An aftermarket BOV is a waste of time and money unless you are trying to accomodate higher pressure than what the factory valve was designed for, which would basically mean that you changed the turbocharger for a different unit. You will see ZERO performance improvement. If you want a sound that will impress ricers and turbo fanbois that's a different story.

 

Well, I do agree with you; however, I'm not really looking for the sound or the improvement in performance. I've not received my new 'spring' for my by-pass valve yet (I just ordered it yesterday). I have a theory that all the , boost surging, loss of power upon acceleration, bogging here and there, and codes is coming from a bad spring in my by-pass valve. I believe it is getting stuck in different places and causing leaks, turbo cavitation, and codes. I have been getting many turbo performace codes. My T-map sensors have been changed,ECM change, and harnesses have been thoroughly checked. So, I was thinking of just making an upgrade to the bypass or BOV. So, my question still stands 'above'. Can you just put a BOV (bolt on) right in the same holes in witch the bypass cap screws onto, and use the existing vacuum hose? Thats all......any thoughts?

 

Come on----I know someone has got to jump on this thought. I could have sworn that there would have been a million tips, thoughts,and advice on this one.

Can we put a after market BOV right where the current by-pass valve is??? Anyone look at the spot and experiment?? Looks as if you could just remove all current parts of the current by-pass valve and just slap an after market on on there. I really wish someone could explain to me WHY you can't?

 

I disagree. I have gone through 2 BOV's.....and they just ordered another. I don't race this car....it's what gets me to work everyday. My car is stock for the most part (ok...a K&N filter, rear swaybar and the GMPP upgrade....oh wait...stubby antenna and shorty door lock knobs for the purists).....and I had/have the symptoms that he is referring to many times. Also, my turbo bearings were shot at 8K miles. Yeah....the stock OEM turbo assembly is bleak at best.

Car had no boost last weekend again.......no idiot light. Half way to dealer the issue went away. Dealer has connected and pulled the logs last Saturday: Stuck bypass valve, again.

STOCK BOV IS CRAP! <-----READ THIS! LEARN THIS! UNDERSTAND THIS!

In the past I popped out the BOV internals to check...yep....the rubber diaphragm swallowed the spring.

I will continue to have them replace this until warranty is up and I will put in tubing and a diff BOV....but until then, my dealer is stocking up on the valves. They had a similiar issue with a caddy part....known failures...so they stocked the shelves. I don't care to have to dicker around if the engine fails, etc....as I said, daily commuter.....my toys in my sig are what I tweak for now.

 

Ditto....was looking more for a Saturday mod....