Wastegates

Mastering Boost Control: A Guide to Wastegates

A wastegate is the brain of your turbo system. Its job is to control boost pressure by diverting excess exhaust gas away from the turbine wheel, protecting your engine from over-boosting. Choosing the right type and size is critical for performance and reliability. This guide will help you select the correct component.

Step 1: External Wastegate (EWG) or Internal Actuator (IWG)?

Your turbo setup dictates your choice. Use our "Product type" filter to find what you need:

External Wastegates: The choice for high-horsepower and custom turbo kits. These are standalone units that offer the most precise boost control, preventing issues like boost creep. This is where you'll find the industry-leading products from Tial and Turbosmart.
Internal Wastegate Actuators: An essential upgrade for cars with factory turbochargers. The stock actuator is often too weak to handle the increased pressure from an ECU tune. An upgraded actuator holds the wastegate shut, allowing the turbo to build and hold boost reliably.
Springs & Accessories: Here you'll find different rate springs to set your base boost pressure, as well as V-band clamps and flanges for installation.

Step 2: Key Selection Criteria

Two parameters are critical for performance:

Parameter	Why It's Important	General Rule
Size (e.g., 44mm, 60mm)	Must be large enough to flow enough exhaust gas to control boost. Too small = boost creep.	Bigger engine displacement and higher power targets require a larger wastegate.
Spring Pressure (e.g., 7 psi / 0.5 bar)	Determines the minimum boost pressure your system can run.	Choose a spring pressure equal to your desired minimum boost level. Higher boost levels are then achieved using a boost controller.