low boost pressure

[deerslayer2060]

I have an early 99 built 2/98 last week I performed the ccv mod, diy intake,and the zoodad mod and installed a set of auto meter gauges. After installing the ccv mod I removed all my boots and cleaned and did the hair spray trick, I even pulled the spyder off and cleaned the orange boots to the heads. Ater I got everything put back together the truck seemed much stronger, but my boost is only 18 psi max pulling a big hill. this seems pretty low compared to the number i have seen on here. I still have the red line hooked up at the waste gate, should I remove and plug this line. Or is 18 all I am going to get. Everything on the truck is stock beside the mods I just performed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[revolvingsteel]

Yea, thats normal. I could hit 18-19 before tunes. With just tunes it will peg 25 psi.

[deerslayer2060]

Thanks, I figured that it was pretty close to normal. Is there anything that will improve boost, like removing the red line going to the waste gate or shorting the rod, or should I leave it all the way it is and just buy a chip or tuner?

[jesilvas]

The WG could be weak, and removing the actuating vacuum line may help, but only hides the problem. A new WG is the only solution.
You can also get NEW boots just to ensure that they are good, and check for exhuast leaks pre turbo. They like to leak at the up pipe gaskets. Soot will be a tell tale sign of a leak.

[revolvingsteel]

^^^^^What he said! Always check for leaks first. Installing a chip with supporting mods (intake, exhaust, guages) will always give good useable power and increase boost pressure if thats what is desired.

[deerslayer2060]

I checked the up pipes, and the passenger side pipe has a small amount of soot around it, about an inch long streek. How bad of a job is it to repair this, Do I have to remove the down pipe from the turbo to make room to get the up pipe out?

[7PO1NT3]

You will more than likely have to removed the down pipe to access the passenger side up pipe. The drivers side is usually the culprit for leaks, and is way more of a pain in the *** to replace than the passenger side.

[zpd307]

if you get into replacing the uppipe donuts, you might as well plan on installing the new pipes while you have it apart. my pipes were toast when i changed the donuts and is usually the norm after the donuts start leaking....