Need some opinions before I buy....
 

Well now that the car starts and is running, I have a couple things left on my list to get before I bring it to the bodyshop. Right now I still have EMB and the shit AFM, but I 100% plan on going MS, but not for another 2-3 weeks. So really, I only need the EMB to get me to the bodyshop and back home, then I can install the MS.

My Greddy boost gauge hasn't worked since the bodyshop did some work on my car last year. I wanted a different one anyway, so now is the time. I'm leaning toward a Defi boost gauge. I like the looks and I have heard nothing good about them. What do you guys think?

Most importantly is what BOV to choose. I have been back and forth between WTF to get for awhile now. I had the HKS SSQV on my old setup and never experienced any problems with it....ever. I see alot of people on here more and more are going with the Ebay knockoffs of the Greddy type RS. I am all for saving a ton of cash, but I worry only about quality. The FM BOV I have now does not work with my AFM setup, so I will just sell that along with all the FM intercooler stuff I have. I was doing reading on Blitz, Tial, Apexi, etc etc and wanted to see what the general consensus was on BOV's.

Lastly, whats the deal with catch cans. I've seen them on some setups, and not on others. I've read good things about them, as well as bad things about them. The only reason I would want one is for what I hear about what comes out of them. It seems you can really get some nasty shit out of your system using one. I was gonna even gonna grab one to replace my shit yellow radiator overflow with. I took one look at that nasty overflow and decided that there has to be something else that looks halfway decent.

Just wanted to see what some of you had to say about the above. BOV's is a touchy subject because everyone likes something different, but I'm just looking to see what you guys are using and how happy you are with it. I'm leaning toward the Ebay type RS, but for like $25 it just seems sooo cheap.

Vash-

Defi are expensive as sin, and you are mostly paying for the name I bet. Get an autometer and im sure it will be just as good.

If you are going to reciruclating then just get a regular old bosch valve. Cheap, and they work period.

Catch cans, the honda guys run them for breather and PCV. I think a few people run them here, I dont know if its worth it. I don't run a catch can, I run a filter on the breather and turbo 323gtx PCV, which is what most people here do and have zero problems.

You can try the greddy knockoff, its cheap and if it doesnt work then toss it. I run a VTA turboxs and it works, I paid 50 bucks for it. Soooooooo it will really depend on what youre going for, vta then think hard, recirc get a bosch.

That's exactly what I have been using for years. I have no issues with the setup as is. I was just wondering benefits to catch cans and how many people here run them.

Vash-

Well the only benefit I can imagine is you reduce the risk of a PCV failure and pressurizing the crank case. How often does that happen to a factory PCV valve, and considering how simple a device it is?

+1 on the Autometer boost gauge.

As for BOV's - I'm running the real Greddy RS on my car. I can hear that it doesn't close all the way, but then again, i have it set VERY soft. I bought a #1 brand (read - NOPI) BOV for my GF's MSM. It's the dual-horn RFL copy and for $40 new, it works FLAWLESSLY and sounds good too. No problems with leaking either. I like the RS and all, but i've been wanting to try some other ones for fun.

defi gauges are great, but like op said: they cost AN ARM AND A LEG. autometer works good and is cheap, been using it on my last 2 cars no problems.
some cars have a lot of oil blow by and use the catch cans to trap that oil. dunno how badly the miata's need something like that.
i have a turboxs rfl bov lying around from previous car, if you like the really loud ones

i wouldn't spend any money on a boost gauge if you're gonna go ms. hook up the laptop and log a run and it will tell you everything you need to know and you won't be staring at the gauge while doing 75mph in 3rd gear on a windy back road. i have the gfb basic bov and it's been perfect. and to me the catch can is great if your engine is fucked, other than that i guess it's shiny

If you want a boost gauge like that some companys make some that look like that. Like what was said before your paying for the name. Just search the web you will find a cheaper one that you would be satisfied with.

-Justin

I recommendation to the OP. I have the RFL and its pretty good. Doesnt leak at idle, and obviously if you get on it then it will be loud as hell but if you take it easy then its as loud as a recirculating valve. Sometimes I dont even hear it.