3.3TT Some concerns

[Michael_Z32]

Hi SF, I have a 2019 AWD 3.3TT, it’s got 1100 miles on it and I installed JB4 @ around 250 miles. Regapped my OEM plugs right after install and I was running map 0 until around 750 miles. After the break in period, I enabled the JB4 on map 1 and ran for a bit, then did map 3 and ran E30 later on. I ran a Mercedes E550 using map 5 (I know I know I shouldn’t have), and while I pulled off on him as if he was parked, after the race I noticed my turbo was whining a bit— not normal whistle, a high pitch whine. I turned it down to map 1 and I’m running the JB4 extremely conservatively now. I spoke to my tuner and he said that’s a symptom of overboosting (important to mention I had this issue on my Optima 2.0T with no tune) he said I’d need bigger turbos if I wanted to keep making power. I don’t have intakes or DP. I’m under warrantee so if the turbo(s) go out I don’t care to go back in to service to have them replaced. It is also worth mentioning that on the regapped plugs I was experiencing spark blowout on exactly 70mph and 90mph.
My question is this:
if I’m running map3, what mods should I have, and the same for map5. I’m okay with intakes, plugs, etc. just can’t do DP

I can’t have a loud exhaust due to the fact that I share this car with someone. However intake noise is fine. also, are intakes necessary for these maps or is it just a plus and added power? Thank you in advance.

 

[turboAWD]

I think the main requirement for running the higher maps safely is higher octane and better plugs. Anything after that can add efficiency/performance, but only so much. Intakes can help on the high end, but you lose a bit of low end. What octane is available at your location?

 

[Michael_Z32]

I think the main requirement for running the higher maps safely is higher octane and better plugs. Anything after that can add efficiency/performance, but only so much. Intakes can help on the high end, but you lose a bit of low end. What octane is available at your location?

I’m in NY so just about everything. I have 87, 89, 91, 93, E85, and “104 octane” fuel additive, these are just at the 2 gas stations I go to but if there’s a different recommended oct with JB4 I can always get. That’s unfortunate about the low end though, I love the low end torque on these cars, I guess if I research the power differences I’ll have to decide if it’s worth it

 

[Terry@BMS]

Not heard about many turbo failures but they have happened, at both factory and higher boost levels. But turbo whine happens under boost. Not with the car idling.

 

[Michael_Z32]

Not heard about many turbo failures but they have happened, at both factory and higher boost levels. But turbo whine happens under boost. Not with the car idling.

I should have specified. The whine is most prominent at higher gear, more boost. Not at idle or low gear. Am I good to continue running Map3?

 

[Terry@BMS]

More boost = more risk. If you suspect you have a weaker turbo I'd probably turn down boost. But usually a weaker turbo is going to fail eventually at any boost level, even factory, so you'll have to make the call there.

 

[Michael_Z32]

More boost = more risk. If you suspect you have a weaker turbo I'd probably turn down boost. But usually a weaker turbo is going to fail eventually at any boost level, even factory, so you'll have to make the call there.

I think I’ll blow it for them to replace it, when I went in with the last car they said “we can’t fix it till it’s broken”. Anyways, if the turbo takes a crap is there any shot it’ll damage any other components or you think it would just seize up

 

[Terry@BMS]

Not likely, they usually just start getting louder and eventually blowing oil smoke.

 

[BIG-D]

Run it till it's Phucked !!

 

[Thomby]

This is quite an old thread, would be curious to hear from @Michael_Z32 on how things went, but looks like he hasn't been active since 2020.