Quote:
Originally Posted by pottsy
Hi Everyone,
I need your advice. I own a 04 Wrx Sti. I have a brand new 'HKS Super SQV' blow-off valve that was given to me.
Here are my questions:
1. If you were me would you install this valve onto my Sti or should i just keep the stock valve on there?
Right now, stay stock. In the future, if you are going to get tuned, turbo upgrade, increase boost at all...an aftermarket would be necessary as the stocker becomes unreliable at holding boost in many cases, above 20psi. Not saying that its definite...but most likely. Best option is to get a recirculating BOV or a 50/50 hybrid or adjustable BOV
2. Will my car lose any power whatsoever?
More than likely not...but the driveability could *POSSIBLY* change...I'll get to that more in a minute...
3. Will my car gain any power whatsoever (no, from what i've been told, but maybe you can tell me different?)?
No. No power will be gained at all.
4. Will it 100% work on my car or will it effect the perfect running of my car?
It will work yes...but the affects of it can be varied both positively and negatively. It might affect the driveability some or it might now. Will it do its job as a BOV? Yes...more on this in a minute again.
5. How bigger sound difference will there be? Drastic?
Sound will be very different and very drastic. The HKS SSQV BOV is one of the louder and definitely more unique sounding BOVs. Personally it sounds good IMO. Instead of a loud whoosh or PSHHHH sound...it kind of has a little ring or a chime in it, because of the way the vent is set up. Obviously you know you can only hear a slight whooosh sound stock...prepare for not-so-stock sounds when you shift.
Sorry about all the questions, it's just i don't want to ruin my car over putting this thing on. But obviously if it would work perfectly and not effect the running performance whatsoever, then i'd like to put it on.
Your advice would be much appreciated.
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So many people rant and rave in this thread "BOVs are Horrible!!! NOOO!!!! DON'T PUT IT ON!!! YOU'RE GONNA BLOW YOUR ENGINE UP!!!" and such antics as that...but many of these people just follow suit to what others say and jump on a band wagon. I guess it is better to have more people without them, than with them. The problems with BOVs usually aren't that dramatic. Of course there will always be the issues at both ends of the spectrum.
Simply...BOVs aren't necessary as I stated above, UNLESS you plan on running more than 20psi. Usually a good number for an aftermarket BOV is 22psi. Thats about the max capacity the stocker can hold boost. Otherwise you could run into boost leakage and compressor surge back into the intake tract. Even then, a Recirculating BOV is a better choice for your ECU and engine in general.
However, if one does decide to pursue a BOV...and gets a Vent-to-atmosphere type...some problems MIGHT arise. I have known more people who don't have problems than with. I've never actually met face-to-face, a person who has had a problem. The most common problems as people mention on here, are that idle problems and stalling out can occur as well as a rich running condition. The rich condition occurs when the BOV vents all the excess boost to the atmosphere during a shift, and the ECU still injects the same amount of fuel thinking that it has the excess boost going back into the intake tract.
So, you get more fuel than air. The main problem with this is that you get a lot of unburnt fuel back into your exhaust tract and a possible fire hazard and destruction of your catalyst (if you have one). This can mess with the O2 censors which can cause idling/stalling problems. This can also cause for a lot of carbon deposits and such within the engine block and exhaust tract.
Not to say that these conditions will always happen and always mess up your car...but it could, especially in the long run. There is the potential that it will mess up the car from the second you put it on...every case is different. So do you want to risk long term possibility of damage just for a sound or not? Do you actually NEED the BOV? Are you upgrading the actual boost and performance of your car now or in the future? Ask yourself these questions and it should open your eyes to some real answers. Each scenario has its own set of parameters so each car and situation will be different.
With this said...I have a buddy running a Stage 2 STI with an FMIC and an HKS SSQV and it runs perfectly fine. No bucking, no hesitation, and no stalling/idle issues. He pulls hard in every gear, to redline. Not even protuned. My situation: I am running protuned Stage 2 at 21.5psi on the stock BPV, perfectly fine. I don't have any boost leak, but I do think I get a little compressor surge here and there, but thats to be determined...so I may get a BOV in the near future. But I would most likely get a 50/50 hybrid.
Thanks for reading my $0.02...