GI: Guardian Angel (Overboost Protection)

[Gringo East]

Seriously, can't wait to get my hands on one of these. Not only an awesome motor savior, but some serious eye candy for under the hood! No doubt this is definitely going to save some speeds (and probably other turbos) in the north during winter months.

Side note: is it sad I already know where it's going?

Can't wait to have one! Getting stoked about the next batches progress.

[Lex]

@bigriver Thanks a lot for posting this review. Looking forward to those logs.

How long did it take you to set it to the appropriate level?

Have fun in Vegas!

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by Lex @bigriver Thanks a lot for posting this review. Looking forward to those logs. How long did it take you to set it to the appropriate level? Have fun in Vegas!

Hi Lex

Just got back. Gonna get some sleep then do some logs.

I didnt have my AP for the short test run so I havent set the GA yet.

[Sid3wayS]

Bump for new page:
@Lex I was woundering does the GA need a dedicated vac line? What I mean is Im planning on installing a boost gauge and the bpv line is the one that I have always seen beeing tapped, if I add a tee there and have one side go to my gauge and the other to the GA will it affect how it works?
Share

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by Lex @bigriver Thanks a lot for posting this review. Looking forward to those logs. How long did it take you to set it to the appropriate level? Have fun in Vegas!

Tried logging yesterday but it rained all day. When it cleared up I went out, but then it started raining. Arrgh. Got in one log but the road was kind of dicey. Will try again tonight.

I had the dial set at about 10 o'clock and the GA cutoff boost just under 15 psi. I wasn't able to finish setting the GA.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Sid3wayS Bump for new page: @Lex I was woundering does the GA need a dedicated vac line? What I mean is Im planning on installing a boost gauge and the bpv line is the one that I have always seen beeing tapped, if I add a tee there and have one side go to my gauge and the other to the GA will it affect how it works? Share

You will have no issues with sharing the line with a boost gauge. Really, the GA is not a T in the line to the BPV, it interrupts the line. So as long as the GA sits in line with the BPV it doesn't matter if there is anything upstream from it.

Originally Posted by bigriver Tried logging yesterday but it rained all day. When it cleared up I went out, but then it started raining. Arrgh. Got in one log but the road was kind of dicey. Will try again tonight. I had the dial set at about 10 o'clock and the GA cutoff boost just under 15 psi. I wasn't able to finish setting the GA.

Awesome thanks for the log! How did the activation feel? Also are you on the stock BPV?

[bigriver]

@Lex - Activation is silky smooth. There is no noticeable cut. It is really nice! The only challenge I have is figuring out where to permanently mount the LED so I can easily see it when its activated and it is clean looking. Right now its dangling on my dash lol.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver @Lex - Activation is silky smooth. There is no noticeable cut. It is really nice! The only challenge I have is figuring out where to permanently mount the LED so I can easily see it when its activated and it is clean looking. Right now its dangling on my dash lol.

Yes, it does look at little "limp" there. I know it's a little ghetto but I ran mine from the top of the steering column and simply taped it to the top of the column with a small piece of electrical tape. You can always drill some plastic piece and mount it there but this all depends on what you prefer.

[bigriver]

@Lex - more notes for ya--

Yes-I'm on stock bpv. 7/32" tubing works well from bpv out on GA to the bpv nipple. 5/32" tubing works well from manifold tubing (using an adapter connection) to the bpv in on the GA.

Other install notes:
1. Used mini add a circuit and tapped into the "ENG BAR" 15A fuse. But needed to also buy a 15A mini fuse to plug into the add a circuit since the oem uses a low profile mini fuse. I also make sure when I start the car, that the LED lights up momentarily to confirm ready state.

2. Removed battery box so I could see the hole in the fire wall for the hood release cable. Not necessary to do this if you already know where to look. Used stiff coat hanger to push out the rubber grommet in the firewall where the hood release cable passes through. Then this opened up enough room to pass the LED wire through the hole in the fire wall. I didnt want to just force it through and risk damaging the LED.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver @Lex - more notes for ya-- Yes-I'm on stock bpv. 7/32" tubing works well from bpv out on GA to the bpv nipple. 5/32" tubing works well from manifold tubing (using an adapter connection) to the bpv in on the GA. Other install notes: 1. Used mini add a circuit and tapped into the "ENG BAR" 15A fuse. But needed to also buy a 15A mini fuse to plug into the add a circuit since the oem uses a low profile mini fuse. I also make sure when I start the car, that the LED lights up momentarily to confirm ready state. 2. Removed battery box so I could see the hole in the fire wall for the hood release cable. Used stiff coat hanger to push out the rubber grommet in the firewall where the hood release cable passes through. Then this opened up enough room to pass the LED wire through the hole in the fire wall. I didnt want to just force it through and risk damaging the LED.

Thanks for the notes! Just to add, the current draw from the unit is very low - a 5A fuse is plenty.

Also, I was able to actually put the hood release cable grommet back on once I passed the LED wire through. Not sure if you put it back on there or just left it.

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by Lex Thanks for the notes! Just to add, the current draw from the unit is very low - a 5A fuse is plenty. Also, I was able to actually put the hood release cable grommet back on once I passed the LED wire through. Not sure if you put it back on there or just left it.

Oh, the add a circuit has two fuse slots. The lower one for the original fuse (15A) and the upper one for the accessory (3A fuse used).

Ya I just left it. Dude you must have lobster claws or something cause I cant get my fat hands up in that space up there. Plus with all the blood going to my head from being upside down its hard to focus, lol!

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver Dude you must have lobster claws or something cause I cant get my fat hands up in that space up there. Plus with all the blood going to my head from being upside down its hard to focus, lol!

My wife and I in Mexico

[bigriver]

LOL!!

Nice arms! In 4 more pics of your wife, haha.

[mayer]

Great stuff. Me wants one of these. GA > Software boost cuts

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by Lex Yes, it does look at little "limp" there. I know it's a little ghetto but I ran mine from the top of the steering column and simply taped it to the top of the column with a small piece of electrical tape. You can always drill some plastic piece and mount it there but this all depends on what you prefer.

Found a better spot. There is a small gap under the dash gauges. So I tucked the wire under there and the LED itself is in a nice dark corner so it wont be in direct sunlight.



LED is in the center of the pic below in the dark recess.

[bigriver]

@Lex - So here is an interesting question for you, and it may seem dumb but this really happened. Does the same boost protection setting apply to all gears, in particular 3rd and 4th? The reason why I am asking is I did a third gear log (see attachment) and while watching the AP, the GA activated at 20.2 psi. Then after just a few minutes, I went on to the freeway to go home. Just for kicks I decided to try and go wot in 4th. When I did this in 4th gear, the GA activated at 17.9 psi. I did not change the psi setting on the GA. Sorry, I didn't take a log for this 4th gear wot run.

Here is a pic of my AP

[mrmonk7663]

I"m gonna say that is not how it should work. It is a boost sensing source...it should cut the same for all gears...perhaps its the response speed of the unit that is the problem here??? @Lex?

[Novej]

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[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver @Lex - So here is an interesting question for you, and it may seem dumb but this really happened. Does the same boost protection setting apply to all gears, in particular 3rd and 4th? The reason why I am asking is I did a third gear log (see attachment) and while watching the AP, the GA activated at 20.2 psi. Then after just a few minutes, I went on to the freeway to go home. Just for kicks I decided to try and go wot in 4th. When I did this in 4th gear, the GA activated at 17.9 psi. I did not change the psi setting on the GA. Sorry, I didn't take a log for this 4th gear wot run. Here is a pic of my AP

What you're dealing with here is response time of the turbo and logging rates. The same setting applies to all gears but in 4th gear boost increased at a much higher rate than walking it up in 3rd.

The AP log versus AP display may also have a different rates of update - you should always use the same logging/observation method for consistency.

The GA cut at the same boost pressure setting (has no idea about gears) but since the boost ramp time in 4th was faster the AP display likely didn't catch the boost rise to the same value it did in 3rd.

Did you try and do the same thing again in 4th to verify?

[bigriver]

@Lex - I will try another log in 4th tonight.

The 3rd gear data log shows boost cut off at 20.2 psi which is what I also saw on the AP display as the max value.

Hey, where are all the other "guinea pigs"? Lol! They should be doing this too.

[Ckmazdaspeed3]

So where are we in terms of availability? I can haz, or not yet? It is either this or a new rear o2 sensor... fucking $130!!! It sucks cuz I want teh fun parts, but probably a good idea to protect mah infestment.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Ckmazdaspeed3 So where are we in terms of availability? I can haz, or not yet? It is either this or a new rear o2 sensor... fucking $130!!! It sucks cuz I want teh fun parts, but probably a good idea to protect mah infestment.

2-3 weeks out from having 30 ready to ship. If those are gone in a couple of weeks, next batch will be 100.

[bigriver]

@Lex Here is a 4th gear log. Same GA setting as last night. Activation occurred at 19.9 psi (both the datalog and my AP display showed max psi at 19.9). Last night in 3rd gear, activation occurred at 20.2 psi. Better results tonight.

[bigriver]

Ok so I'm pretty much dialed in and "think" I have it set to 1 psi above my boost target since I turned it another 10 degrees above the last setting where it was activating at 20 psi (my boost target). Gonna do a third gear log tonight for @rfinkle2 for my etune.

@Lex let me know if there is anything else you want me to try.

Just curious, would it be feasible to have a digital boost protection feature so we could be more precise in setting the activation threshold? I may need reading glasses soon so its hard to see that tiny arrow on the white dial, lol, assuming there is an arrow, haha. I just see the notch.

[Dano]

fine tip sharpie to mark the end of the pot adjustment.

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by Dano fine tip sharpie to mark the end of the pot adjustment.

Haha! Good one!!

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver Ok so I'm pretty much dialed in and "think" I have it set to 1 psi above my boost target since I turned it another 10 degrees above the last setting where it was activating at 20 psi (my boost target). Gonna do a third gear log tonight for @rfinkle2 for my etune. @Lex let me know if there is anything else you want me to try. Just curious, would it be feasible to have a digital boost protection feature so we could be more precise in setting the activation threshold? I may need reading glasses soon so its hard to see that tiny arrow on the white dial, lol, assuming there is an arrow, haha. I just see the notch.

I appreciate all the leg work you've done - thanks a lot for that! To have a digital "feature" would mean adding a display of sorts to the unit, buttons, etc ... I wanted to avoid this due to cost and complexity.

Since the unit is programmable, I can always program a set value but that won't work for most people. Remember that if your target is 20 psi and you trip it at 22 instead of 21 it's not a big deal.

Derek wrote a how-to and shot of video about setting the GA: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...-angel-109332/

[bigriver]

bump -- so far so good. GA working just fine.

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bigriver bump -- so far so good. GA working just fine.

Better be! It's a got a year warranty

[m4tic]

My dad wants to swap his 8-71 blown alki small block chevy to a TT setup. Would he need two GAs or just a single GA and tee from turbos to the unit then tee out to two BPVs?

[Lex]

Originally Posted by bmorrisj My dad wants to swap his 8-71 blown alki small block chevy to a TT setup. Would he need two GAs or just a single GA and tee from turbos to the unit then tee out to two BPVs?

How is he planning to run the BPVs? From the same vacuum source? If it's from the same vacuum source and the flow in that single tubing does not slow down BPV response he would need just 1 into the single source, and then place the T to the two BPVs AFTER the GA (between the GA and BPVs).

[m4tic]

Yes a single vac source.
I might be in for one unit myself.
Thanks.

[p057]

i'm definitely in. just waiting for them to be prepared to ship. I'm also just about 1k away from this car being paid off.

i have the weirdest boner right now.

[Sid3wayS]

Bumpity bump bump... I can haz angel now?

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Sid3wayS Bumpity bump bump... I can haz angel now?

F*ck ... I have everything in terms of parts except the PCBs!!! The manufacturer screwed up so I'm out another 8 business days . My deepest apologies to everyone waiting.

[Sid3wayS]

Originally Posted by Lex F*ck ... I have everything in terms of parts except the PCBs!!! The manufacturer screwed up so I'm out another 8 business days . My deepest apologies to everyone waiting.

If I knew what PCBs were I would say it's ok....... Since I don't, this is unexceptable!!! Lol honestly thou when they are ready are you going to be selling them thru your website and just post it up here or will you make a group buy using the list from this thread? Just curious.

[p057]

Originally Posted by Sid3wayS If I knew what PCBs were I would say it's ok....... Since I don't, this is unexceptable!!! Lol honestly thou when they are ready are you going to be selling them thru your website and just post it up here or will you make a group buy using the list from this thread? Just curious.

printed circuit boards...the brains of this whole product!

I'm glad you're testing them instead of just slapping a stupid "QC cheked!" sticker on it and shipping it anyway, like another country starting with a C. we all know.........

[Novej]

Originally Posted by Sid3wayS If I knew what PCBs were I would say it's ok....... Since I don't, this is unexceptable!!!

LOLROFLLMAO!!!

[speed_freak91]

Originally Posted by Lex F*ck ... I have everything in terms of parts except the PCBs!!! The manufacturer screwed up so I'm out another 8 business days . My deepest apologies to everyone waiting.

I keep forgeting to check on this thread for updates. Let us know when they are ready. Im still up for purchasing one of these!

[Lex]

Originally Posted by Sid3wayS If I knew what PCBs were I would say it's ok....... Since I don't, this is unexceptable!!! Lol honestly thou when they are ready are you going to be selling them thru your website and just post it up here or will you make a group buy using the list from this thread? Just curious.

I will mention everyone in this thread who is on the list but the purchasing will likely happen through my webstore since I can track things better that way. These should be the final growing pains as after this batch - they should no longer be available in batches but be ready to purchase anytime.