[Zeese]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Why didn’t you go with the TS unit? Just curious.

Simple and elegant.

F87source has penned quite some number of posts regarding GFB DV+ considerations. These explanations will be better than mine. One example.

Why? Half the cost for a small amount of bother. Basically, it is an upgrade over stock offering an improvement in performance / responsiveness as well as giving me peace of mind in the long-term.

Nezil Posted thoughts that resonated with me too.

Then there is this stealth challenge when living in California

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Zeese

Simple and elegant.

F87source has penned quite some number of posts regarding GFB DV+ considerations. These explanations will be better than mine. One example.

Why? Half the cost for a small amount of bother. Basically, it is an upgrade over stock offering an improvement in performance / responsiveness as well as giving me peace of mind in the long-term.

Nezil Posted thoughts that resonated with me too.

Then there is this stealth challenge when living in California

Also from what I have seen the gfb doesn't have compressor surge issues like what I've heard from turbo smart owners on the m2.

Among that the gfb is proven to be bullet proof without fitment issues. I keep seeing turbo smart owners say their wiring harness is fraying, their o-rings are leaking, and their valves are touching the coolant hose.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by F87source

Also from what I have seen the gfb doesn't have compressor surge issues like what I've heard from turbo smart owners on the m2.

Among that the gfb is proven to be bullet proof without fitment issues. I keep seeing turbo smart owners say their wiring harness is fraying, their o-rings are leaking, and their valves are touching the coolant hose.

The TS's wiring loom barely touches the coolant hose

It rests against it ever so slightly

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

The TS's wiring loom barely touches the coolant hose

It rests against it ever so slightly

The loom can fray, not just touch.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by F87source

The loom can fray, not just touch.

Mine was double heat shrink wrapped I don't see that being possible

Clearly TS fixed the oversight

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Mine was double heat shrink wrapped I don't see that being possible

Clearly MST fixed the oversight

Maybe they did, but the heat shrink wrap was the same as before from what I can tell.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by F87source

Maybe they did, but the heat shrink wrap was the same as before from what I can tell.

IF it's installed incorrectly to a point where something could damage the wire loom over time

But in my opinion the TS wiring loom is a very stout by design

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

If it's installed incorrectly to a point where something could damage the wire loom over time

But in my opinion the TS wiring loom is a very stout by design

From what a few people are telling me, their harnesses are fraying out of the box, and a few of them after a year of driving. This might have changed but idk, either way I prefer the gfb design.

Turbo smart probably does the same thing in manipulating the plunger with a spring to keep it closed with some boost in the charged air tract, so imo I'd rather just retain the stock solenoid and improve on the piston via the gfb package.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by F87source

From what a few people are telling me, their harnesses are fraying out of the box, and a few of them after a year of driving. This might have changed but idk, either way I prefer the gfb design.

Turbo smart probably does the same thing in manipulating the plunger with a spring to keep it closed with some boost in the charged air tract, so imo I'd rather just retain the stock solenoid and improve on the piston via the gfb package.

Definitely pros and cons to either product without a doubt

So far the TurboSmart DV has exceeded my expectations

The Plumb Back version is extremely quiet as expected

[///MPhatic]

I usually do all my mod work, or sometimes have a friend help, but I decided to out-source this one to a local German-whisperer. The job took 6 hours front to back with several breaks and a short trip to the parts store for a broken sway bar fixing bolt, so it can be done in 5.5 for sure.

Some notes from the job.

1. He dropped the sway bar a bit for easier access.
2. He removed the water pump to gain better access to the DV.
3. He broke the old DV in order to facilitate getting it out easier/faster.
4. The boost pipe-to-intercooler joint isn't a 100% flawless fit, but it works.
5. The PCV pipe/hose tabs broke when he pulled it off but he said it doesn't matter because the hose is bespoke for that area (it doesn't wiggle), it snicks right back on, and it's made for vacuum, not pressure.
6. He did use a ball-head allen key that he cut down to help with the top DV bolt, but he did it from the bottom, not the top.

He used an Airlift to refill the coolant, and it took just a few minutes. 1.25 gallons.

MST Inlet/Turbosmart DV: $477.95
Boost pipe: $137
Coolant: $47.60
Install: $400 (job was quoted low at $260, but I gave him $400)
Total: $1,062.55

First driving impressions; not worth the money/effort. I'll definitely have to drive the car more before I give my final analysis, but for the cost I can't see this job being worth it unless you're having an issue with your stock DV or you have an extreme need for every last ounce of turbo noise and HP.

I'll update this in a few weeks with my full impressions.

Many thanks to @///M TOWN, F87source, MONSTAR , Wisco M3 and everyone else that added notes to this job.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

I usually do all my mod work, or sometimes have a friend help, but I decided to out-source this one to a local German-whisperer. The job took 6 hours front to back with several breaks and a short trip to the parts store for a broken sway bar fixing bolt, so it can be done in 5.5 for sure.

Some notes from the job.

1. He dropped the sway bar a bit for easier access.
2. He removed the water pump to gain better access to the DV.
3. He broke the old DV in order to facilitate getting it out easier/faster.
4. The boost pipe-to-intercooler joint isn't a 100% flawless fit, but it works.
5. The PCV pipe/hose tabs broke when he pulled it off but he said it doesn't matter because the hose is bespoke for that area (it doesn't wiggle), it snicks right back on, and it's made for vacuum, not pressure.
6. He did use a ball-head allen key that he cut down to help with the top DV bolt, but he did it from the bottom, not the top.

He used an Airlift to refill the coolant, and it took just a few minutes. 1.25 gallons.

Inlet/DV: $477.95
Boost pipe: $137
Coolant: $47.60
Install: $400 (job was quoted low at $260, but I gave him $400)
Total: $1,062.55

First driving impressions; not worth the money/effort. I'll definitely have to drive the car more before I give my final analysis, but for the cost I can't see this job being worth it unless you're having an issue with your stock DV or you have an extreme need for every last ounce of turbo noise and HP.

I'll update this in a few weeks with my full impressions.

Many thanks to @///M TOWN, F87source, MONSTAR , Wisco M3 and everyone else that added notes to this job.

What DV did you end up getting?

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by F87source

What DV did you end up getting?

The Turbosmart.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

The Turbosmart.

And you noticed nothing? Is it the plumbback or the dual port.
My noticeably sharpened response and held boost better, and the inlet added some more at high rpm.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

And you noticed nothing? Is it the plumbback or the dual port.
My noticeably sharpened response and held boost better, and the inlet added some more at high rpm.

Yup, I noticed a very big difference with my GFB dv+

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yup, I noticed a very big difference with my GFB dv+

Same. I was mostly looking forward to the inlet pipe upgrade and the dv just cause that’s the time to do it, but it was dv that has been dv upgrade that has been so noticeable. The GFB dv+ has that (optional to install) spring that holds boost in the charge pipe, they claim if you don’t use this additional spring it will feel like the stock dv. I’m assuming the Turbosmart doesn’t have this same function, so it probably would feel pretty much as stock. The MST inlet upgrade is good too, but tbh I probably hear it more than feel it. The sound is a plus though.
I don’t get enough open road to really rev my engine out at the top, and that’s where users report they feel the difference.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

And you noticed nothing? Is it the plumbback or the dual port. My noticeably sharpened response and held boost better, and the inlet added some more at high rpm.

Originally Posted by F87source

Yup, I noticed a very big difference with my GFB dv+

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

Same.

Plumb back, and I noticed almost nothing. I didn't know there was a difference between PB and DP, so I may have gotten the wrong one, but I certainly won't be swapping it.

And now that I've taken a good long drive on my favorite roads this morning I can say without a doubt the juice on these mods aren't worth the squeeze for me.

Under certain conditions the car feels like it has more power, and the boost builds quicker/there is less turbo lag, but it's not all the time at every rpm, it's just under specific conditions or long WOT times (rare for me). I imagine the numbers would tell the true story, but I'm not interested in numbers, I'm more concerned with feel, and the difference I feel can be literally down to the placebo effect. Then again, I've never had my butt-dyno properly calibrated (I noticed no difference at all with my Fabspeed sport cat either).

Are these mods worth something? I imagine so, just not the price/hassle of install.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Plumb back, and I noticed almost nothing. I didn't know there was a difference between PB and DP, so I may have gotten the wrong one, but I certainly won't be swapping it.

And now that I've taken a good long drive on my favorite roads this morning I can say without a doubt the juice on these mods aren't worth the squeeze for me.

Under certain conditions the car feels like it has more power, and the boost builds quicker/there is less turbo lag, but it's not all the time at every rpm, it's just under specific conditions or long WOT times (rare for me). I imagine the numbers would tell the true story, but I'm not interested in numbers, I'm more concerned with feel, and the difference I feel can be literally down to the placebo effect. Then again, I've never had my butt-dyno properly calibrated (I noticed no difference at all with my Fabspeed sport cat either).

Are these mods worth something? I imagine so, just not the price/hassle of install.

Are you running a tune or Intercooler?

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Are you running a tune or Intercooler?

CSF intercooler, BM3 OTS S2 91 MultiMap.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

CSF intercooler, BM3 OTS S2 91 MultiMap.

Last question(s)
What intake (if any) and have you tried resetting adaptations?

[///MPhatic]

No intake, and I have a 6MT so I didn’t think resetting adaptations was necessary.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

No intake, and I have a 6MT so I didn’t think resetting adaptations was necessary.

Paper filter?
It does - there is more than one adaptation to reset. Fuel trims, vanos, maf, idle, etc.

I personally did lambda, maf, idle (and then later on fuel trims) when I installed my intake and inlet/DV. Smooth idle, and now great fuel trims (which were previously pretty wonky) - power increase was actually noticeable as well.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Paper filter?
It does - there is more than one adaptation to reset. Fuel trims, vanos, maf, idle, etc.

I personally did lambda, maf, idle (and then later on fuel trims) when I installed my intake and inlet/DV. Smooth idle, and now great fuel trims (which were previously pretty wonky) - power increase was actually noticeable as well.

Yes, OE paper filter.

You're way over my head bro. Is this an easy thing to do?