Installed RKM BOV...impressions

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I got the RKM BOV/BPV today from ProtegeGarage. Initial impressions were that it was made a lot better than I thought it would be...seemed like it would be kind of cheap construction just based on the price, but it actually feels like a solid piece. Everything looks pretty quality on it, and it feels like it has some substance, especially compared to the plastic stock piece.

Install was alright...a bit hard at first because it comes with no instructions. I had to think a bit to figure out that the front section had to be removed to be able to insert the bypass fitting. Once I got that figured out things went a bit smoother. It was difficult getting the C-clamp in place, but doable. I got a pair of c-clamp pliers and compressed the ring, then slid the "open" side in the groove and pushed the other side (the "back") down into the groove with a screwdriver. It took a couple of tries, but I got it eventually. Then I used a screw driver and small hammer to lightly tap on the c-ring to make sure it was down all the way around. One other note is that you need to make sure you either re-use the stock gasket on the bottom of the stock BPV or get a new one.

I did have to make two modifications to get it to fit right. I had to cut the corner off the plastic intercooler cover...the bit that would have covered the stock BPV. It won't go on without cutting that piece. I also had to cut a hole in the plastic hood ducting where the vacuum line fitting is because it rubbed against that and cut through the vacuum line within a matter of minutes. Just cut a small notch where I saw it was rubbing, and it seems to be clearing just fine now. That might be avoided depending on how you install it, but the way I had it in there it just wasn't going to work without a hole cut in the duct.

Performance wise, I'd say it's great. Sounds great and holds boost very well. I was surprised how much different it was compared to the stock BPV. Seemed to be getting a lot more boost than I normally was. I guess my stock BPV was leaking more than I thought.

I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid of cutting some plastic bits and wants a good alternative to the Forge unit. As a side note, I originally had the Forge BPV but sold it because I didn't really like the way it sounded. It's been a while, though, so I can't do a very good comparison of the two other than I like the sound of the RKM unit better than the Forge, and I like the fact that there is nothing to adjust on the RKM. No springs to change...no shims...just put it on and go.

 

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Pics

 

[Captain KRM P5]

good write up, nice pictures. let me know if there is more we can do for your ms3.

 

[SHaW]

Oh very nice. I was interested in this too, but no one really talked about it and it always reminded me of the same build as an HKS.

 

[Kain]

Oh very nice. I was interested in this too, but no one really talked about it and it always reminded me of the same build as an HKS.

That's because suppsoedly it's made in the same factory as the HKS SSQV, just without the brand stamp.

 

[opt_ms3]

lol china? only reason reason I can think of why its cheaper. oh well if it works then thats cool...

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Basically everything dealing with the aftermarket is made in China...even the high end name brand stuff. It just has their logo attached to it. I'm not a brand *****, so I could care less whose name is on it (or isn't)...as long as it works I'm fine with it.

 

[derspi]

^^

You're definitely right, most of this stuff, regardless of brand, is made in China nowadays. But sometimes the difference between one that is "branded" as opposed to a knockoff or a production piece that doesn't get branded is due to tolerances or slight QC issues. If the BOV you got really is made from the same factory as the HKS ones, you can be sure there is or are some slight differences in performance or QC. Whether or not these small differences will affect the performance of the piece is the question but it looks like thus far, you're a happy camper so that's all that matters.

Keep us updated if you run into any problems with it as I might be in the market for a BOV later this year and thanks for the review.

 

[UHATEIT]

can you take a picture of the part you cut under the hood ducting? I have the actual HKS which is still the same thing, but haven't tried recirc-ing it because it appears impossible to get the valve angled downwards enough to get onto the tube without the vac line and back end of the valve hitting the hood.

Id like to see what you cut to see if I will just do the same thing to my hood duct

 

[martyxcore]

why support a company that makes it own parts when you can support someone who rips off other peoples. AWESOME!

 

[UHATEIT]

hood duct cut pics if you can

 

[GoFast]

why support a company that makes it own parts when you can support someone who rips off other peoples. AWESOME!

by rip-off you mean take a good product and make a similar one and sell it for cheaper? Yes, i too wonder why anybody would want to save money for teh same basic part. I too wonder why somebody would not want to pay more for something because of a logo/brand name

 

[AutoEuphoria]

hood duct cut pics if you can

I'll take some tonight. I may have cut more off than I needed, but I kept running into issues where it wouldn't seem to be hitting at first, but I later found the line had cut. I can show you how I did it, but I suggest taking something like anti-seize or some other stiff grease, putting it on the vacuum line where it sticks up, and closing the hood. This will show on the hood ducting where it is contacting the line. Then just cut around that area, and repeat until you don't see any grease left on the hood duct. Again, I will post up what I did, but I cut off a lot more than is probably necessary. It worked fine, though...got through a 700 mile road trip over the weekend with no cuts or wearing through!

 

[Nliiitend1]

by rip-off you mean take a good product and make a similar one and sell it for cheaper? Yes, i too wonder why anybody would want to save money for teh same basic part. I too wonder why somebody would not want to pay more for something because of a logo/brand name

I get his point. A lot of the larger companies that actually put their engineering intellect to work really do suffer from the no-name companies that are basically stealing their intellectual property and selling it for cheaper without the costs associated with research and development...I know it sucks to pay more for the real thing, but if nobody ever does, we're not going to have good products for the other guys to rip off anymore...(dunno)

 

[fostersafb]

So did you notice the 22whp gain? While trying not to be a skeptic that is a huge gain for just a BPV. I just finished watching the Synapse video of the synchronic that netted a 28whp gain. 22 and 28whp are huge gains! I cant believe the stock BPV leaks that much boost, crazy.

At any rate, I'm all for a better performing part, especially at the price the RKM goes for.

 

[GoFast]

I get his point. A lot of the larger companies that actually put their engineering intellect to work really do suffer from the no-name companies that are basically stealing their intellectual property and selling it for cheaper without the costs associated with research and development...I know it sucks to pay more for the real thing, but if nobody ever does, we're not going to have good products for the other guys to rip off anymore...(dunno)

that is a good point in some respects. One of the benefits of the cheaper no name company is that it does keep the big name company in check with there prices. It also offers a choice. While some may not like the idea of it, it has it necessary place in the system.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I never got around to taking pics last night...I will try again tonight.

As for the knock-off...oh well. I bought something that was worth the price to me. I would never pay over $200 for a BOV.

And if you want to b**** about knock-offs, you could live in the wheel/suspension section. Go lecture all the Rota owners on this forum.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Quit jacking his thread with non sense about knock offs.

I will ask you why you went with the RKM and not the Forge?

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I went with the Forge first. I didn't like the sound. Performance of the Forge was really good, but I started getting embarassed driving around with the loud clang noise it makes. The RKM seems to work just as well...maybe a bit more surge when not at full boost (like letting off at 5psi or something)...probably about the same as running the stiff spring on the Forge. The sound is much nicer though. Purely subjective, I guess.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Is it 100% recirc?