Turbosmart Wastegate Actuator vs eBay Mamba Turbo Actuator - Boost Issues Solved!

I was having issues with boost spikes and unstable boost throughout the RPM range on my turbo Honda build. After completely eliminating my electronic boost controller from the equation, I eventually realized my eBay wastegate actuator wasn't up to the task. In this video I swap in a Turbosmart IWG75 single port actuator, but not before tearing down both actuators for comparison.
My turbo is a TD04H 15G that was part of a Greddy kit and came with a 5 psi internal wastegate actuator.

[@daverarick7636]

Answering the tough questions. Learned a lot on this one.

[@ShawnFerret]

Thanks Dave, glad it helps.

[@theayatollahofrockandrollah]

I made the exact same mistake as you. And did the same solve. Only my Turbosmart rod wasn't long enough. So I put the Mamba Rod and clevis in the Turbosmart actuator. Mamba rod was just finger tight in the bottom of it's piston, so that came right out. The Turbosmart rod was secured with Locktite, so that required some heat. So now in order to live with myself I just tell myself I bought a really expensive bracket , rod and clevis to suit the Turbosmart actuator..thank you very much for your insights and greetings from Holland.

[@ShawnFerret]

My grandmother was Dutch!! Glad folks across the pond are having the same problems 😂. I feel exactly the same way about my expensive bracket!

[@dare1ner]

I just went to dyno my civic and it wouldn’t build boost until 5,000rpm the wastegate wasn’t pulling the actuator rod back like it was getting stuck was that happening with you guy ?

[@ShawnFerret]

@@dare1ner this wastegate actuator defaults your internal wastegate shut, so if it isn’t moving or it’s getting stuck it creates an overboost or boost spike condition - that is what I had.

[@dare1ner]

@@ShawnFerret yeah we put air to the mamba vacuum line made the actuator move back and forth but it would stick open at times. I was thinking of putting a return spring on to pull it back to see what it dose

[@FFCRBDI]

I've been having boost issues with my project car for over 12 months. I have the same actuator. Thanks for your insight 👍

[@ShawnFerret]

No problem. I hope you get it fixed!

[@Iamcollinwhittaker]

I am running a TDO4hl greddy 15g on my d16 engine. Thank you for the video

[@ShawnFerret]

Awesome! My turbo is the same but I modded it with a 19T wheel. What RPM does yours spool up at?

[@mattmessina5396]

Glad to hear the boost spike issue is resolved!!

[@ShawnFerret]

100% now!

[@Mr19011989]

@@ShawnFerret mamba good? Thx

[@ShawnFerret]

@@Mr19011989 No, not at all.

[@cruzezzz9900]

Can preloading the actuator too much make the spring weaker over time? I feel like mine is easier to pull the actuator rod on to the wastegate than it used to be?

[@cruzfernandez4554]

Hello, I'm seeking assistance with my BMW N55 engine, which is experiencing wastegate issues. Initially, the engine runs smoothly upon start-up. However, upon connecting an in/Hg gauge to the wastegate, it reads 5 in/Hg. Surprisingly, at idle around 700 RPM, the gauge jumps to 11 in/Hg. Any guidance on resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated the

[@Jagermonsta]

I just fitted one of these today before watching this video. I see weird spikes and fluttering too, and with the yellow 14 PSI spring I'm only seeing about 7 psi on the gauge. so now I'm thinking I need to look at other actuators.

[@ShawnFerret]

That sounds exactly like my issue. Definitely a lot of factors that could be causing it, but if you have eliminated everything else then I assume the actuator is junk like mine was.

[@yolocrunch]

I bought a Mamba (vacuum type). The Mamba wouldn't even start to move (break o'ring friction) until 5inHG, and then would jump severely. Whereas my factory unit has very smooth immediate and linear movement throughout range. Also, the Mamba has far fewer of square inches of piston surface area acting to actuate the wastegate that it is not going to be nearly as reactive to minor vacuum changes in the control system. Needless to say, the Mamba is sitting on the shelf.

[@ShawnFerret]

I didn’t realize they sold them for vacuum applications too. Mine is on a shelf too. I think the only thing I would trust it on is a boost actuated exhaust cutout at this point.

[@judebrown2672]

Brilliant thanks.

[@ShawnFerret]

Thank you!

[@markmkv940]

If my car is supposed to hit 27 psi will it not function with a 5 psi wastegate ? Do they sell the springs or the actual wastegate

[@ShawnFerret]

They sell the springs separately on Summit Racing if you already have the wastegate. It would be difficult to hit more than double the spring pressure (reliably) with a single-port wastegate. Dual-port wastegates are better suited for running low spring pressure and regulating a wide range of boost electronically.

[@StanislavTsonchev]

Great video! Did you write a forum thread or somewhere described the whole issue. I mean logging the spikes and oscillation

[@ShawnFerret]

Thank you! No, I’m not an active member on any forums.

[@Conqland]

Dude so im boosting a d16z6. Is your red coupe still running healthy?

[@ShawnFerret]

Do it!! My car is still running great.

[@tg5509]

Thank you! I had the same problem! All that work thinking your doing an upgrade to the car, just to go.back and install the stock one. It's a joke! I'll be sure to go leave a trash review on the product, these are being sold for so many different model cars, I got mine for a n55 535i bmw engine, and wow, trash!! Same exact problem, rich conditions due to inconsistent boost pressures and jumpy / hesitant power. I agree, piston is far too small. I have a boost gauge old school and a vacuum gauge teed into my wastegate for live veiw, and needle was bouncing all over The one I received from mamba tek was the same exact thing. They DO have other good products though, not everything they sell is trash at all. It's just not all capable of what they claim.

[@ShawnFerret]

It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one! I used their fitting on my oil pan and I've used gaskets/flanges and other small stuff from them too with no issues. I don't trust them with moving parts anymore!

[@patrickmadden6340]

Yep I’m here looking for an answer to why my mamba wastegate won’t boost right under any spring tension…thx!

[@ShawnFerret]

Sorry you’re having the same issue!! The Mamba product is useless IMO.

[@mrb.5610]

Wonder why they didn't put the o-rings on the pistons ? Certainly a lot easier to machine plus of they were at the piston ends, it would keep it aligned with no wobble . . . .

[@ShawnFerret]

I wondered the same thing.

[@yukonofficialmusic]

No videos of the car getting into boost? or dyno tune pulls??

[@ShawnFerret]

Sorry I haven’t mastered the art of getting good driving videos! I’ll try again this summer once the snow and salt is off the road.

[@wesleyrussell4912]

If I’m running 18psi on my WRX. How do I know which spring to use?

[@ShawnFerret]

There is a spring chart on page 2 of the spec sheet for the IWG-75. www.turbosmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TS-06XX-XXXX-IWG75-Universal-rev-2.pdf

[@wesleyrussell4912]

@@ShawnFerret thank you! Do you happen to know if I run a spring rate that is smaller than my current boosting along with boost control if I need a new tune? Some say yes. Some say no.

[@ShawnFerret]

@@wesleyrussell4912 that depends on a number of factors, including how you plumb your EBC, whether you run speed density vs. MAF, what margin of safety is built into your current tune, etc. I would consider EBC setup part of tuning anyway, so you may as well go through the rest of the parameters.

[@bentheguru4986]

Yeah, had a couple of the Mamba style units, first was a diaphragm and other was piston. Just recently got a TS IWG-75 and regretting it. Big name, fancy price tag and a turd that is nowhere close to its rate boost. 14PSI unit punching more than 50% more than rating. Actuators for old turbos with wastegates are not the same as VNT/VGT snail actuators. TS sold unit at rated boost for my turbo setup and what a piece of shite.

[@ShawnFerret]

That’s too bad the TS didn’t work out for you. Mine was spot on with both a 10psi and 15 psi spring.

[@bentheguru4986]

@@ShawnFerret I prefer piston style over diaphragm anyway. More linear and wont tear the rubber.

[@alejandroserrano514]

Turbosmart good! Mamba bad! Thanks!

[@ShawnFerret]

Haha, no problem.

[@alfaholic3]

Looks like a $40 product being sold for way more than its worth. $150 for that is ridiculous when you can get an entire turbo for similar money.

[@Ytreallybugginwithhandles]

Damn my turbos came with mambas now I’m scared lol

[@ShawnFerret]

Maybe some work better than others? Boost cut in my ECU saved me during the setup process. Good luck!

[@markus2321]

Wait what? You did use the blue spring from the mamba and you are not know why it spikes? It's 22psi spring! Then you install the turbosmart blue one, which are 10psi spring.. Why you did't use 10psi spring for the mamba (green or even white)? I think o-ring is way better than diaphragm -> it's cheaper and easier to find. If you blow your diaphragm. It will not work anymore + harder to find, but if there is 2x 0-rings it is more durable (not only in the wastegate valve... in almost every valve in the world :) )

[@ShawnFerret]

Hi Markus. I tried every spring on the Mamba and none of them corresponded to the advertised boost pressure. All of them resulted in spikes above advertised pressure and then settled way below said pressure. I’m sure there are robust piston-type gates out there, but my testing did not prove this to be one of them. I think part of the problem is the direct attachment of the rod to the piston, without a pivot. As the rod changes angle when the wastegate opens, the piston gets angled in the bore.

[@markus2321]

@@ShawnFerret Ou.. Ok. Then it could be something to do with the angel of the wastegate lever and the bore angle. Thank you for answer :)

[@lmenzol]

This is crazy the turbo smart is the same price as the mamba should have done my research before buying

[@ShawnFerret]

I know!! I feel the same way. The Mamba is a paperweight now. I don’t even feel right selling it.

[@karkiev]

Good video. Mamba wg sucks

[@velko2433]

I think Mamba has better and robust design overall, no stupid diaphragm.

[@ShawnFerret]

I wish it had turned out that way, but it didn’t hold up to real-world testing. I think if a manufacturer put some actual R&D into a piston-type design it could prove to be better, but Mamba certainly didn’t.

[@velko2433]

@@ShawnFerret mine is handling wonderful with black spring , smooth and strong. Strangely i heard bad things about turbosmart actuators. I use Forge blow off and Mamba actuator - works like a dream.

[@ShawnFerret]

@@velko2433 glad it’s working for you!

[@jaybones614]

Get a good strap wrench.