I was looking for a BOV, and found that Stratmosphere sells the Forge units from the UK. Emailed them and got a reply from Pete@Stratmosphere within 24 hours with all the info I need.

He also told me there would be a group buy coming up soon. So, instead of $190, which is a good price for a BOV, I got on the GB for $149! Now, he has no obligation to do that, but he does. That's just plain DECENT!

But wait, that's not all. He actually shipped out the BOV once he knows we're going to get to the 20-minimum for the group buy, but BEFORE getting there. I'm so surprised to receive the BOV at my door so early.

So, big thumbs up for Pete@Stratmosphere. They also sell the Samco hoses and a radiator cap for us.

:D :D :D
-Ray

Thats good news. I to ordered the BOV and recieved an e-mail within 24 hours. The BOV hasn't come to my door yet, so can I ask you a quick question: Are you satisfied with the product? Was it an easy install?

Major thumbs up to pete and stratosphere, cant wait to get that blow off valve!

DREW

When it comes to tools and mechanical stuff I am retarded. But the install took me 10 mins, I didnt have the right light to see the place to squeeze in order to loosen the hose. In the light it would have been 5 mins. Oh yeah does anyone have sputtering problems?

WR-REX, why do you ask?... are you having sputtering problems? :)My sisters just received their FORGE BOV and I'm gonna put it in for them ASAP, and was just wondering what kinda "changes" we should notice after the install (other than the blow-off noise, that is).

Also, what did your BOV come with? I'm in Canada, and my friend has a US mailbox, so we had it shipped there to save shipping, and my friend brought it over the border for us... I'm not sure if he took the BOV out of the box or if it's shipped this way, but all we got was the BOV and a silver aluminum-looking plug... should there be anything else? Instructions perhaps?

Since we didn't get instructions, I need some pointers for the install... do I just unbolt the factory one, plug the "intake hole", then and bolt on the Forge one? I don't need to reset the ECU or anything, right?

Thanks for the help, guys!! :)

Fred C

This is what I posted originally in the vendor forum, under the GB thread:

1. Remove the small vacuum hose that hooks up to the front of the stock BOV.
2. Remove the 2 12mm bolts that hold the BOV to the intercooler.
3. Use a pair of big pliers to open up the clamps that hold the big returning hose to the bottom of the BOV. Pull the BOV out.
4. Use the accompanied alumininum plug to close off the return hose, again using the pliers to open up the clamp.
5. Bolt the Forge BOV to the intercooler with the stock 12mm bolts.
6. Plug the small vacuum hose to the "nipple" in the front of the Forge BOV.

Really, with a 12mm wrench/socket and a good pair of pliers, you can do it under 5 minutes.

The car runs great with no problem, no CEL, etc.

-Ray

I have sputtering problems but i called stramosphere and he is sending me a new spring asap no charge.

Thanks for that awesomely FAST reply, rkkwan. :) It took me a while to work with the clamp on the return-tube-thing, but it still only took me like 15 minutes to install the BOV. Thanks again!

WR-REX, by "sputter" do you mean the car actually "hesitates" and wants to die? And when does it happen? At idle? Or during vacuum?

When we first fired up the car, we noticed that at idle, the engine seems to be much more "shakey" and the car rocked a bit... but it drove fine, and the "shaking" isn't that noticeable anymore (not sure if it's still there; will be able to tell after more driving tomorrow). Everything's ok then, right? No CEL's as of now either. :D

Btw, can you hear your BO noise in all the gears? I found that it's most noticeable in 2nd and 3rd... the WRX is still in it's break-in period so I'm very conversative with the revving, and I haven't heard it in 1st gear yet.

Nice sound!!! :D

Fred C

The sound is sputtering, when i shift it goes pst pst pst, not psssssst.

Hmm... have you done other mods to your engine? Or does Forge just ship different springs in their BOV's and you just happen to get a different one than some of the rest of us?

I guess we don't have anything to worry about... as of now... 'cuz the blow-off is a quick, abrupt "psshhhh"... :D

Good luck with yours!!! :)

Fred C

There are three different springs availalbe, but the WRX spec valve should come with a blue spring (more spattered with paint that covered), the green is the lightest of the springs and the red is the most stiff. Only for the behemouth motor!

Mine blows off of nicley at anthing above 3k as long as your in boost and not loafing about. If you hear the valve blowing or bleeding boost you can shim the spring with thin aluminium washers. I have noticed a fluttery noise on my wrx, but it was doing that even before the valve was installed...kind of a CHUFF, CHUFF, CHUFF sound.

Either way I love this thing...not TOO loud but not exactly a sleeper either!

C

I had a good experience with Pete as well. Bought the part for a good price (not the $149GB currently on - grr :) and was totally satisfied with it. Part arrived a few days later (coming from the states to Canada) and installed in about 10 minutes.

The BOV is installed, I got it in a timely fashion, and pete was very helpful. Stramosphere gets a 5 on CS!

I got a Forge BOV too in the GB. $159 total with shipping and everything. I was expecting to pay well over $225 for a BOV and kept putting off buying one, that is until I saw a Forge polished BOV for $149! :) Couldn't resist. I ordered it on a Friday and got it Wednesday. Mine sputters a little too, but that's just if it ride about 3K RPM's for a few seconds and let out. If I drive hard I get the wonderful PSSSSTTTTT. Real nice and crisp sounding. And it looks cool too. Thanks Pete :)

just ordered mine. This is my first mod.... OoOOoO I can't wait....:D

I hope that sputtering noise you guys describe isn't compressor surge that Talons/Eclipses get when the BOV's are vented to the atmostphere... that's ultimately very, very BAD for the turbo! :eek:

Fred C

i just got mine today too. due to my tools, i had to take out a few of the surrounding parts to get to the oem valve. when i tried putting one of the other screws back in, it fell into the engine bay!! DOOOH! :o

other than that, things have been going well. sounds like the turbo is spooling up a bit quicker, but again, boost doesn't really come on till after 3k rpms. i'll have to do some more testing w/ the butt dyno. :D
now i just need that turbo gauge. but i too have noticed a little louder noise coming from the engine. it could've been that it was cold since the car's been sitting there since saturday evening.

but other than that, great product and great service!

fred:

u should even be able to hear it in neutral. :D just rev the engine to about 5k rpms and let off of it quick. even tho u're in breakin, it should be fine as long as u don't keep it revved for too long or try it too man times at the stop light. :D

i noticed some guys are changing the venting proportions (to atmosphere and elsewhere). seems like the way to do this is to undo some of the hex screws and twist the top?

weakest spring still same sputtering, is it safe to drive an hour with this on?

i must give a thumbs up to pete @ stratmosphere - very prompt reply when i placed my order and shipped it the next day ... my only regret is that i didn't get it shipped faster! (but i'll take that up with UPS;) ) anyway, i'm very pleased with the service that pete has/is providing!

(ps - only 5 days left on the bov sale!)

I got in on the Forge BOV GB. I talked to Pete on the phone a few times. Got the valve in a very timely fashion. Easy install. I thought I experienced the flutter that some got with the blue spring. I only noticed it once. Pete sent me the green spring for it to try anyway. I also received a service kit from yet another Pete ato Forge Motorsports last week too. That contained a new seal, bolts and a yellow even weaker spring.

Recommend dealing with Pete and Stramosphere!

I'm a happy camper too. I received my valve in a timely manner. I got the same fluttering problem that others have reported and was contacted by the fine folks at Forge and they shipped a lighter spring within several days. Problem solved!

Thanks Pete and Forge Motorsport UK!

Are you talking about the fluttering problem at low boost... i maybe wrong... but the turbos work even before 3k rpm... they just not 14.2 psi.... well thats what i noticed on my guage... i either get the nice pssshhh sound... no sound... and then at low boost levels i get the farting type of sound... is that what everyone is talking about?

Yes, but that doesn't matter. If it flutters, you need the weaker spring. The valve should fully open between any shifts. Fluttering will cause stress similar to that of not using a BOV at all.