Well after blowing up my car and putting it back together im noticing that my boost isnt where it was before hand......Nothing other than 8.5 to 1 flat top wiseco pistons were installed that im seeing these changes on my boost gauge. Power is def there still if not more.

DISCUSS!

 

I'm no expert on engines and I try not to be. With the pistons was there any real change by changing them? I know you blew one before.

As for boost, I have read some people have seen boost loss when the boots on the Intercooler aren't on completely.

 

Well with your new pistons there is probably a little more volume in the combustion chamber. This added volume decreases the boost pressure. It's like having 100psi in a gallon tank, then you stretch that tank to 2gallons the pressure drops. You probably didn't loose power, but with your new pistons, you are gonna have to run a smaller pulley to get the same boost, but with those low comp pistons, you will be able to run quite abit more, so pulley down and flog that bad boy! That's just good old physics and fluid dynamics.

 

I understand that, but i went the other way....Stock compression is 8.33 and i went to flat tops makin it 8.5 meaning the chamber is a tad smaller.

As for the boots....I checked those and im using the Ultrik boots....I might play with the clamps and shave them down so i can tighten them more but i dont think this is the problem

 

Are you using any oil at all? Maybe your getting some blow by from your rings. You'll lose a little compression like that. Or if they are still new, maybe they haven't seated well yet.

You haven't changed any air intakes or exhaust have you? Just the pistons? If your new head gasket is a little thicker, your compression will be a little lower also.

Also, if you have had your motor apart. Check your vacuum lines and the line to the gauge. You might have a small kink in it or a small vacuum leak. Therefore showing less boost than your actually making.

 

I have almost 500 miles on the build so id hope the rings are seated by now.
Didnt change anything from before it blew. the head gasket is stock and im gonna check the compression tomorrow nite. im goin with a 2% over drive crank pulley soon so that should bring the boost back up if i am gettin more blow by then before. I gapped the top ring a .015 and the bottom at .017 from wiseco's advise.