Boost Controller: Blitz SBC i-D

We hit the dyno with 6 boost controllers and a ball valve.

http://images.sportcompactcarweb.com/tech/0207scc_boostcontrol05_s.jpg

The SBC i-D is composed of three parts; a head unit, control unit and solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly consists of two solenoids which can be operated either sequentially or in parallel, which Blitz claims gives the product an edge in both response and maximum boost authority. The control unit is scarcely larger than a deck of cards and can be mounted out of the way in the cabin. Manifold pressure is routed with supplied hardware to a small and somewhat fragile Teflon hose on the control unit. An optional harness is available which plugs into the control unit and allows for the display of three analog or digital signals such as MAF voltage, coolant temp, injector pulse-width, etc. This data can then be displayed numerically, as a bar graph, or logged over time.

The head unit fits neatly into most car stereo openings. If installing the Power Meter i-D, the two sit edge-to-edge to fill the slot. Like its name implies, the optional Power Meter offers an idea of the power output of the vehicle based on a number of input parameters along with speed data from the car's ECU.

Using the SBC i-D is a breeze, with nearly all navigation and adjustments made through a single dial. Rotate the dial to scroll up or down a menu, depress the dial to select, rotate the dial to make your change, depress the dial to enter the change.

The SBC i-D has two distinct modes of boost control. The Auto mode allows you to simply dial in a boost level and be on your merry way. The control unit watches the boost and carefully raises it to the target pressure. Your first time out, the turbo is going to be laggy, but with each subsequent run the boost will build faster. In our testing, the unit learned quickly and dramatically. The second mode is Manual, and allows the boost set point and gain to be individually tweaked for desired response.

With just a little work we were able to post the sharpest boost response of the test. Four programmable "channels" are available to save your different boost settings. With the Power Meter i-D, boost can also be mapped to mph in four discrete steps. In the event of an over-boost condition, a warning mode can flash the screen red, activate an audible alarm and reduce the boost a set amount.

The scramble boost feature on the SBC-iD is a unique one, shared with Blitz's DSBC spec R. Rather than having a button or switch to toggle a different boost level for some set amount of time, the system activates every time you go from vacuum to boost. The unit scrambles to a different channel where the boost can either be raised or lowered. Once scramble times out, you need to drop into vacuum again to reactivate the scramble mode. Blitz claims this system was designed for a circuit-racing environment. We don't get it. Luckily it can be disabled.

Controller: Blitz SBC i-D
Pro: Super-smooth interface, great display options, works awesome.
Con: Lame scramble boost feature, non-standard vacuum fittings.
Cost: $669, Power Meter i-D $298
Source:
Blitz USA
(714) 777-9766
www.blitz-na.com
Aesthetics: Small and simple.
Ease of installation: Power and ground, boost line into the cabin, plus some stupid pressure fittings.
Clarity of instructions: Not really needed, which is good, since they kinda suck. Available on the Web site.
Features: Four boost settings; Laggy (auto) or responsive (manual) boost mode; overboost warning and protection; sorta-though-not-really scramble boost; peak-hold boost display; choice of boost units (psi, bar, kg/cm2, and kPa); three alternate data input channels for display of digital or voltage readings (TPS, MAF, O2, etc.), logging and replay of boost and optional channels.
Support: Great on the phone. Happily answered all questions.