boosting wrong. help please
 

hey my car just got back from shop because headgasket job. before the boost gauge would rise, but now it doesnt. were is the connections to see if they misplaced them??. when driving doesnt feel as quick. gears dont pull as much. takes forever to get to 60. suggestions?? and yes im getting aftermarket boost gauge

Sounds more to me like an intake coupler is off, loose or has a big tear in it.

The boost gauge's sensor is by the cruise control actuator behind the front driver's side wheel well... it is not used by the ECU though so while the gauge won't read anything it wouldn't affect performance at all.


EDIT: And check for error codes, the details are in the MKIII FAQ.

ok so now its boosting correctly according to aftermarket gauge. still feels kinda wierd, whats stock boost 5-psi??

Stock Boost
 

I believe its computer limited at 7.3 PSI

No, the ECU has no idea what boost level you're running. The only control is the wastegate actuator (and boost leaks). The acceptable boost range is something around 9 to 6psi (I can't remember right now, it's in the TSRM though if you wish to look it up)... it's not uncommon for the wastegate actuator's spring to weaken over time causing a drop in boost pressure.

I have added 3.5mm of washers under the waste gate bracket to shim it up.

Bad idea. You limit the range of motion of the actuator and open yourself up to the possibility of boost creep and running lean. Just build a cheap manual boost controller... they're very easy to make and a decent bit safer to run.


Here:
http://www.gusmahon.org/html/boostcontrol.htm

boost problem
 

ok so leme start i replaces plugs and wires. replaced intake tube. checked for leaks cant seem to find any. my problem is if i slowly give full throttle i boost great but if im on it hard it boosts half way up the rpms then feels like it starts to miss. at idle i smell fuel and it spudders every 3 seconds not a misfire spudder but like a blank spot hard to explain more like grrrrrrrrrrPgrrrrrrrrPgrrrrrrr if thats understandable. also if im quick shifting under full throttle it falls as soon as i shift gears and hit throttle again there is a noticable miss but instantly comes back. only throws check engine light if im on it hard. any ideas??????

if the check engine light is coming on at all you need to check for codes. critical codes may only cause it to light up momentarily... many codes don't trigger the light at all.

What can you boost safely on a stock setup?