Manual vs Electronic Boost Controller – The Ultimate Comparison

Have you installed a turbocharger in your vehicle for increasing the internal combustion engine’s power output?

Then that’s a wise decision for increasing the efficiency of your engine. Because a turbocharger provides the engine with more air and simultaneously more fuel is injected.

Thus an engine gets more air-fuel mixture which helps to expand the combustion process and produce more power.

As you’ve installed a turbocharger then you must need a boost controller for your vehicle to control the boost level.

What is a boost controller?

A boost controller is a kind of device to control the boost level of a turbocharged engine.

It is used to control the air pressure which is produced in the intake manifold by changing the pressure delivered to the mechanical wastegate actuator.

Why installing a boost controller is important for a turbo engine?

In a turbocharged engine, exhaust gas is pushed to a turbine through the exhaust manifold.

When the turbine spins, it makes the driveshaft spin to turn the compressor. Then it pumps this extra compressed air to the engine through the wastegate.

Sometimes the same boost level will not be appropriate. You may need to change the level of boost.

Boost level means how much pressure is applied to the air, which is forced by the turbo through the intake manifold in the engine.

So when there is more or less boost than required, then there will be an unbalanced air-fuel mixture ratio. Which eventually can cause problems in the combustion process.

That’s why you need to install a boost controller to control the boost level of exhaust gas, forced to the engine by the turbocharger.

Manual vs Electronic Boost Controller

Boost controllers are of two types, Manual Boost controller which will help to control the boost level manually, and Electronic boost controller which is automated.

Here we’re going to compare these two types of boost controllers. It will help you to decide which boost controller you should buy for your turbocharged engine.

Comparison

• As the control type of manual boost controller is manual, you need to control the boost level all by yourself. But in an electronic boost controller, the boost level will be electronically adjusted.
• You will need to open the hood of your vehicle every time you need to change the boost level.

Whereas in an electronic boost controller, the onboard computer will automatically adjust the boost level, besides you can also change it by yourself through the cabin screen.

• Boost controller predominantly increases the air pressure by holding or clamping the wastegate. Thus the device increases the boost level inside the turbocharger. When it lets the wastegate open, air with increased pressure enters the engine.

The electronic Boost controller has a better capability to hold the wastegate for faster spool up.

But in Manual cases, their ability to clamp the wastegate is not as good as Electronic boost controllers.

In this case, there is a slight chance for the wastegate to open which can cause slower spool up or wastage of energy.

• Electronic boost controller is much flexible and offers more features.

However, a manual boost controller offers comparatively fewer features.

• The installation process of the Manual Boost Controller is pretty easy.

But in case of Electronic boost controller, the process is such a problematic one.

• Lastly, the Electronic boost controller is less affordable compare to the Manual boost controller, as the electronic one offers more features and flexibility than the manual one.

MANUAL BOOST CONTROLLER

Manual Boost Controller, also known as mechanical boost controller, is used to control the boost level of a turbocharged engine with a set and forget type set up.

The manual Boost controller is controller manually. You will change the boost level by adjusting the knob when it is needed.

In the case of a manual boost controller, you will have full control of the boost level. You can increase or decrease the boost level as you want.

Engine’s RPM, atmospheric condition, throttle position won’t affect the boost level.

ELECTRONIC BOOST CONTROLLER

An electronic boost controller is installed in a vehicle for controlling the boost level or air pressure electronically. It functions with a ball and spring setup.

You don’t need to control the boost level by yourself. Because this type of boost controller is automated.

 Electronic Boost controller by itself calculates how much air pressure your turbocharged engine is requiring right now, and then it adjusts the boost level according to this.

There are some factors that electronic boost controllers rely on such as the Engine’s RPM, throttle position, atmospheric pressure, supply of air, etc.

Analyzing these parameters Electronic boost controllers increase or decrease the air pressure when it is needed.

 For controlling boost, the electronic boost controller depends on the car’s onboard computer.

You can also control it by yourself if you want. There will be a cabin screen and controller for controlling the boost level.

Final Words

Which Boost controller is appropriate for you, depends on how often you want to change the boost level, atmospheric condition, air supply, temperature, etc.

If you want to keep the boost at a certain level then we would prefer the manual boost controller.

But if you can afford and require more flexibility, features, numerous boost setting, then electronic boost controllers will be better choice for you.

Last of all, I want to say it depends on your application and affordability. Both of them have pros and cons. It’s your decision, which one you want to install for your vehicle.

FAQs

Are boost controller safe?

There is no reason to be concerned regarding the safety of a boost controller. Of cours boost controllers are safe. But it depends on how you use.