GFB T9000 User Manual

Respons TMS Valve

Installation Instructions

Part # T9000

P.O. Box 1017 Riverwood NSW 2210

Ph: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Website: www.gfb.com.au Email: [e-mail]

Installation Instructions for GFB Respons (part # T9000)

Applicable vehicles:

• WRX/STi MY99-00

• B4 Legacy/Liberty MY98-02

• Forester GT/XT MY98-04

1) Using a pair of pliers, open the hose clamp

that holds the large rubber recirc hose onto
the factory bypass valve and pull the hose
free.

2) Remove the two bolts holding the factory

bypass valve to the intercooler, taking care
not to drop them or the gasket between the
intercooler and the valve (it’s tricky to
retrieve them if they fall!).

3) Pull the vacuum hose from the factory valve, then remove the valve completely from the car.

4) Replace the two mounting bolts and gasket back onto the intercooler, screwing the bolts in

about 3 turns. The GFB Respons valve can be mounted with the screws partially in place.
This makes it easier to install, and reduces the chance of dropping the screws or the gasket.

5) Slot the Respons onto the two partially screwed-in bolts, then tighten the bolts completely.

Replace the recirc hose and hose clamp, and the vacuum hose.

Spring Adjustment

Contrary to popular belief, the spring pre-load DOES NOT need to be adjusted to suit different
boost levels. The valve will stay shut under full throttle conditions regardless of boost pressure or
spring pre-load.

Rather, the spring pre-load affects how easily the valve opens
when you lift the throttle, and how long it stays open when it
vents. Adjusting the spring is a simple matter of ensuring the
valve opens enough to release the air, but not long enough to
cause idling problems. The guide below will walk you
through the steps involved.

The screw in the centre of the head is the spring adjuster
(shown opposite). Use the supplied 5mm hex key for this
screw.

The softest spring setting is achieved when the top of the
adjustment screw is 3mm above the head of the valve. Do not
set the screw more than 3mm above the head.

• Set the spring to the softest setting, and move the noise adjusting ring to at least 50%

atmosphere venting so you can see the piston through the trumpet

• Start the car and let it warm up to normal operating temperature. Make sure the A/C is off

• Give the engine a good hard rev, and watch the piston - WARNING: Keep your face away

from the trumpet opening when revving the engine. View the piston from an angle away
from the blast of air. The piston should lift and vent with a “whoosh”, then close slowly and
smoothly. The harder you stab the throttle, the further the piston will open (note: it will only
open fully when driving, as the turbo does not generate boost until the engine is under load).

• If the piston stays open too long, and does not close before the revs drop back to idle, the

engine will “stumble”. If this happens, wind the adjustment screw in the “+” direction one
turn at a time until the engine returns smoothly to idle after revving

• For the final fine-tune, take the car for a drive. Watch the tacho as you pull up to a stop - if

the revs dip below idle and then rise again, tighten the spring another 1-2 turns

• If a loud flutter is heard when lifting off sharply after accelerating hard above 3500RPM,

wind the adjustment screw in the “-“ direction one turn at a time until the noise disappears.
Note that it is not uncommon to hear a slight fluttering at low RPM, particularly if you
partially spool the turbo and lift off slowly. This is a result of the different way in which this
valve operates compared to the factory unit, and is perfectly normal and not detrimental to
the turbo

A video example of setting up the spring pre-load can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqQR5WUF9lc

Adjusting the Noise

The unique patented venting bias adjustment feature on
the GFB Respons lets you vary the amount of air vented
to atmosphere or recirc, thereby changing the volume of
the sound.

Turning the venting bias adjuster (figure 3) fully anti­clockwise means all the air will vent through the trumpet,
which is the loudest setting.

Turning the adjuster clockwise from this position will
begin to open up more of the recirc outlet, until a ratio of
50/50 is reached. As you turn the adjuster further clockwise, the recirc port is fully open and the
trumpet port will begin to close. When the adjuster reaches the maximum clockwise position, the
trumpet is completely closed, and the valve will operate like a factory recirculating bypass valve.

Typically, most engines will allow 100% atmosphere venting with no problems, provided the spring
pre-load is adjusted correctly. However, some combinations of modifications can result in
backfiring when the valve vents to atmosphere, in which case the solution is simply to dial back the
amount of air vented to atmosphere until the problem is resolved – this is one of the key benefits of
the venting bias adjustment feature.

Do not be afraid to experiment with the spring and noise settings, no harm will come to the engine
if wrong setting is used.

Maintenance

GFB blow-off valves are designed to be as maintenance-free as possible. In most cars the small
amount of crankcase and rocker-cover oil vapor that is directed into the intake system is enough to
keep the piston well lubricated. However, if you notice the sound of the valve changing over time
(e.g. slow response time, intermittent operation), or if you can see that the piston is not moving
smoothly, it may require a clean and re-lube.

Put a rag under the valve to catch any parts that may drop, or better yet, remove the Respons from
the car entirely. Remove the four screws holding on the cap, taking care as the spring will try to
push the cap off as the last screw is removed. Remove the spring and the brass piston, and wipe any
grime from the inside of the valve and the piston with a rag. Apply normal engine oil to the piston
and the inside of the bore, and re-assemble.

Technical Support

If you experience any issues during installation or use of your GFB Respons that are not answered
in these instructions, please contact the GFB tech support team on [phone], or email

[e-mail].

This product is intended for racing use only, and it is the owner’s responsibility to be aware of the legalities of fitting this product in his
or her state/territory regarding noise, emissions and vehicle modifications.

GFB products are engineered for best performance, however incorrect use or modification of factory systems may cause damage to or
reduce the longevity of the engine/drive-train components.

GFB recommends that only qualified motor engineers fit this product. Warranty is for the period of one year from the date of
purchase and is limited only to the repair or replacement of GFB products provided they are used as intended and in accordance with
all appropriate warnings and limitations. No other warranty is expressed or implied.