So the other day I did a restart (unhooked and then rehooked the battery up). To my surprise, as I was driving the car right after I felt as if I had at least 50 more HP! I noticed that the boost builds on way more aggressively and it feels like a completely new beast when I get on it. After a little bit though, the car goes back to "normal" and the power gain diminishes. Is it time for a tune??

I suspect that it is the GIAC chip acting up.

 

Did you have the car tuned? Or was it purchased that way?

I assume you haven't checked for codes? Any recent maintenance performed on the car such as boost leak test or spark plug change?

 

I bought the car with the GIAC chip but never tuned it myself actually. Also, I have no idea if it was tuned properly or not under the last guy's ownership. In terms of maintenance, the spark plugs were changed 7k miles ago. I also just had service done and the car checked out fine.

 

Quite possible you were in some sort of limp mode. Disconnecting the battery will reset certain parameters. What was the boost before and after?

Get the codes read.

 

Yep. Probably in limp mode...likely from overboosting? Will happen again soon... as was said..you need to scan it for codes ASAP...

 

That seems right, my boost was a bit higher when the turbos first spooled up when I felt this power increase.

 

You need to check N75 for proper operation and for vacuum leaks, especially in the wastegate control circuit...

 

cant say what a bit higher is in numbers...but 0,1bar for a short time is not limp mode, it is probably adaptive learning for the boost curve

if the difference is higher than it could be a problem at your system

 

Sorry guys, I'll be away from the car until Monday so I don't know exactly what the difference in boost is from the two "modes." I could definitely say though that when I restarted the car, it feels as if there is a massive surge whenever I get on the boost. So maybe it is the car just adapting and not just losing power?

 

Is your GIAC a 1 bar tune? Are you seeing more than 1 bar on your dash? You should see a noticable difference in performance from limp mode to normal driving. You shouldn't really notice much of a difference in boost fluctuations due to weather, etc...

 

Yea I believe it's a 1 bar tune. My knowledge is limited because I have no idea who installed it, who tuned it, etc. I've never seen the boost go over 1 bar. The only real noticable difference is the moment you get on boost. After that, the car feels like it pulls harder as well

 

If the boost never goes over 1 bar in the dash, that likely isn't your problem...

 

So I noticed today that I am actually over boosting. I hit 1.3 bar today when almost flooring at 4k RPM :/

What should be my next step?

 

Well if you only have a 1bar flash, that's problem. Look for leaks in your wastegate "circuit". Make sure your wastegates function properly..ie open and close fully and smoothly. These are easy to check just laying under the back of the car.
DON'T BOOST UNTIL YOU FIX THIS. You are likely not tuned past 1bar...

You may have to trace small hoses..won't be fun, but it is necessary.

 

Would you recommend I get a tune soon?