Forge BPV version 2: Review

[Sacrilicious]

Ok, guys. I know you've all been waiting a long time for this, and I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long, but I didn't want to let anything slip before Forge made its official announcement about this valve's release. For reference, here is the official product link for this new valve from Forge Motorsport: Forge Motorsport | Alloy Fabrication The new valve retails for $185, which is $15 more than the old valve ($170). Hopefully, this will mean that the usual retailers will drop this down to something even more reasonable like the old v1 valve (at ~$155).

What is this "version 2" release, you ask? Well, Forge has long been aware of the main complaint that has plagued its MS3/MS6/CX7 BPV: what IS that pinging sound??? Other than this sole complaint, the Forge BPV has probably been the single most functional (and affordable) valve out there for our cars. It fits like stock, doesn't cause fueling issues (reference this thread for more info: http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...ect-ltfts.html), is tunable, is more responsive, and is way sturdier than stock. In an effort to fix this "problem" (and this really is a subjective preference here), Forge has been working on a redesign for their popular MS3/MS6/CX7 BPV to take away the "ping" for quite some time now. Unfortunately, I am not fit to comment on why it took so long to bring this product to market, but let's all rejoice that it's finally here!

To start, let's show a few overhead shots of this valve in a car with a stock intercooler:





...and a Cobb FMIC:





This new valve has definitely completely taken away the "ping" from before! The things that I like most about it are:

1. It sounds like a more aggressive version of the stock valve under heavy release (think more gutsy "pssh") and about like stock under light release.
2. Like the old valve, there is absolutely no fluttering upon release. One clean release is all you get when the valve fires off.
3. It is still every bit as tunable as the old version, meaning you can adjust your valve to make sure it does not screw with your fuel trims.

There is one thing to look out for is that fitment is definitely tighter. Since Forge had to change the direction the piston fires, it caused the valve to grow large, which brought it a lot closer to the stock intercooler cover. Here's a shot of what I mean:



As you can see, the top of the valve is slightly pressing against the TMIC cover. This means that if you are using this with a stock TMIC, you may have to play some games with how you angle the valve and the recirculation hose that connects it back to the turbo inlet. This is not a terribly big deal, though, since the Forge valve is adjustable in what angle the valve faces. All you have to do is loosen the plate holding valve base in place by inserting the points of needle nose pliers into the marked holes and twisting:



For FMIC users, this is obviously not a problem. I would recommend using a new recirc hose bought from SU or something just for easy of fitment, since the stock one is pretty rigid. If you want to orient the valve as you see in the stock TMIC pictures above, here's some pictures that show the angle that you need to turn your valve:





Overall, I am absolutely loving this valve. As I said, it fixes the only thing that annoyed me about the Forge BPV (the ping), and left me with all the things that I loved about it. Yes, the fitment is tighter, but it's really not that big of a deal compared to some of the other valves out there, so I definitely don't sweat it. Before anyone asks, I have found that like the v1 valve, the blue spring and two shims seem to work very well for me on both stock and up to 21 psi tunes. As far as longevity goes, I've been running this valve since December 2008, and it's never given me any trouble at all. I definitely give it a two thumbs up and recommend it without reservations! If you've been looking really hard at the Forge BPV, but just couldn't stand the sound it made, here's your chance to have your cake and eat it!

Sorry, I will have sound clips up in the next day or two, so stay tuned...=d

[MATT DAMOND]

I just heard about the V2 like 2 days ago, (I've been living under a rock) but I am very excited about it.

I honestly hate the swords clashing every time I shift, it gets annoying fast, since my MS6 is my DD.

[speedtown]

i don't even notice the ping any more, but when I do hear it I still love it. Though I wouldn't mind having the new version either. It's nice there are choices for people now though. I'm sure there will be plenty of V1 going up for sale soon.

[manelscout4life]

what ever happen to the sound clip?

[gsrtype1]

Nice!

[AmillieMS6]

lol no vids?

[TongMan]

Which spring and how many shims should I run with Mazdaspeed CAI and Cobb Turbo Inlet for the best results?

[clos561]

Originally Posted by AmillieMS6 lol no vids?

get you get vids sac? in car and some drive by shifts?

[tunersteve]

I wish they'd do a trade-in program for all of the V1 owners out there. Good review.

[AmillieMS6]

soo video ???

[Lama]

Where is the video?

[Mistersix]

i got rid of my forge because the ping wasnt doin it for me. but the V1 works great, so this is good news.

lookin forward to them clips.

[romeox929]

so, about them clips..

[Mistersix]

eh, clips never really do any justice anyways. unless you have an external mic for a camera its gonna sound like butt!

[atenza_freak]

Sick

[wcm250f]

how about that video. i am very interested to hear how it sounds

[RayRayBauder]

^ nice avatar? where you live?

[evidence]

Originally Posted by RayRayBauder ^ nice avatar? where you live?

In a forum with 99.5% dudes, there is only one reason why you would have that as your avatar. Looks like RayRay hit the jackpot this time..

sound clip/video++ .. does anyone have this installed yet?

[dread]

is this available yet

[KeysMS3]

Originally Posted by dread is this available yet

yup

Mazda3Online :: ProtegeGarage :: MazdaRX8Online - Your Source for Mazda Performance

[DSIT995]

Mine should be arriving tomorrow Ill try and post a sound clip

[flyrevs2]

need sound clips bad - santa wants to hear before he loads up the sleigh

[syoo6]

^ +1

[dimaxxxl]

+2

[Sacrilicious]

sorry, guys...i've been out of touch and my camera is dead, so i still need to get a new one before i can make the vid...=/

[JBR]

Got one today. Sounds nice, looks nice, built nice. Blue no shims for now. I will try other combinations tomorrow.

Jamie

[evidence]

Originally Posted by jbarone Got one today. Sounds nice, looks nice, built nice. Blue no shims for now. I will try other combinations tomorrow. Jamie

The spring will break in over the first couple of drive cycles. Prob good to run it that way an reevaluate in a week or two. Might need to drop a shim in later.

Sound clips or vids?

[ponny135]

How the hell you open the valve to change the springs?? I am twisting it with all I got... no luck

[evidence]

Originally Posted by ponny135 How the hell you open the valve to change the springs?? I am twisting it with all I got... no luck

If it's off the car compress the piston a few times to make sure nothings wedged.. then grab some gloves. Just the top 1/2 inch comes off, the piece with the small nipple.

[JBR]

Originally Posted by ponny135 How the hell you open the valve to change the springs?? I am twisting it with all I got... no luck

You are referring to the new V2 valve correct? If so the end that comes off, is the end that the bypass tube connects to. Not the end with the vacuum connection.

Jamie

[ponny135]

thank you guys for pointing me to the right end lol! got no gloves thou, so I said f**** it and I used the wise grip on it wt a towel to not scrach it.

This valve is sturdy. I mean the outlet and all is thick, I was not afraid of bending it at all. Here is a pic of what I found. cheers.

[Sacrilicious]

i have to say that the black valve looks niiice...

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Sacrilicious i have to say that the black valve looks niiice...

So Moderator..... approve the attached photos so we can all see them ;-p

[Sacrilicious]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak So Moderator..... approve the attached photos so we can all see them ;-p

haha...whoops, i didn't even notice they were still pending...

[JBR]

I really hear no significant difference in it compared to the stock BPV. So my opinion is it's a job well done.

Jamie

[OMGWTFHAX]

Any clips or vids of this yet?

[rodrigo]

by far the worst looking valve ever , b=neck and neck with omgthanx crushed dsm one

hope it performs well

[cletusb]

Originally Posted by Lenny127 by far the worst looking valve ever , b=neck and neck with omgthanx crushed dsm one hope it performs well

Agreed, for a somewhere "rice" mod it is quite ugly