Factory Turbo Gauge or Aftermarket

[Sick Boy]

Quick question. I'm about to go put a deposit down on an 04 WRX. My questions are:

(1) Is it worth getting the factory turbo gauge, or should I go aftermarket. Aftermarket gauges seem to measure in PSI where as the Subi one is measured in MPa's. (Pascals?)

(2) How do MPa's and PSI's relate?

(3) I plan on upgrading with either a boost controller or getting the ECU flashed. Either way, I'm looking at higher boost. I heard that the WRX can up to 16PSI on the stock injectors, is this right?

(4) Also, the on the factory turbo gauge is 15 MPa's. Not sure how that relates to PSIs and if 16 will be measurable.


Thanks ahead of time for answering this New-B's questions.

[God]

Definately do NOT get the factory gauge. It's cheap looking and doesn't work very well at all. 14.7 psi=1 bar. The WRX can take 16 psi or more esily BUT it doesn't net you any more power due to the ECU pulling timing back. Now it varies car to car. Some can take 16.8 PSI and others only 15.2 before detonating so I suggest you leave it at 15 PSI or so to start if you don't tune it on the dyno. Instead of reflashing the ECU I'd go with a UTEC as it has a lot more safety features built in and can be retuned by you if need be later on. Much better investment and cheaper in the long run if you plan on other mods.

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by God
Instead of reflashing the ECU I'd go with a UTEC as it has a lot more safety features built in and can be retuned by you if need be later on. Much better investment and cheaper in the long run if you plan on other mods.

Since I'm new to all this, could you explain a little more about the difference between reflashing the ECU amd going with a UTEC. What exactly is a UTEC? Also, does it affect my warranty, and if it does, is it easy to remove/install/remove/install, so the dealer won't know?

Thanks again.

[CKxx]

Reflashing would be reprogramming the computer, adding a UTEC (User Tunable Engine Computer; www.turboxs.com) would be attaching an auxillary computer to the stock one to control Fuel, Timing, and boost. This tunability will allow you to tune vavious settings yourself if need be, or have somone tune if for you. Both would affect the warranty, but the UTEC is easily removable, I dn about the reflash though.

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by CKxx
Reflashing would be reprogramming the computer, adding a UTEC (User Tunable Engine Computer; www.turboxs.com) would be attaching an auxillary computer to the stock one to control Fuel, Timing, and boost. This tunability will allow you to tune vavious settings yourself if need be, or have somone tune if for you. Both would affect the warranty, but the UTEC is easily removable, I dn about the reflash though.

I've never tuned so do I need to have someone tune the UTEC for me, or does it come with a basic mapping?

[CKxx]

It comes w/ basemaps, but they are tuned VERY safe (read: rich) and, though good, definatly do not take full advantage of the aftermarjket parts.

[RogersWRX]

If you're looking for gauges, I'd go with the Omori. They measure in PSI and are the only ones that looks similar to the factory gauges - that is yellow needle with green backlight.

Here's where I got mine from - I actually replaced the factory column mount one which didn't match and measures boost in an obscure increment (.mpa)

http://www.j-spectuning.com/product_...c458307329a8fd

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by RogersWRX
...I actually replaced the factory column mount one which didn't match and measures boost in an obscure increment (.mpa)

http://www.j-spectuning.com/omori.htm

Can you use the factory wiring to hook up a new one? The one I ordered, unfortunately, is coming with the guage. Now I'm pissed. I'd rather have PSIs so I wouldn't have to convert in my head.

[RogersWRX]

yup, you can use the existing power supply and vacuum hose from the factory gauge to install the Omori. Here a link to the installation instructions

http://www.j-spectuning.com/installs/wrxmechboost.pdf

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by RogersWRX
yup, you can use the existing power supply and vacuum hose from the factory gauge to install the Omori. Here a link to the installation instructions

http://www.j-spectuning.com/45mm_column.pdf

Awesome! One more question... where did you order one from? I can't seem to find one surfing (at least not a Mechanical, 45mm, Black Face, Yellow Needle version).

[RogersWRX]

This is the only place I've seen that has them.

http://www.j-spectuning.com/index.php?cPath=21_24

I was looking for them for a while, but everywhere else had them as discontinued or out-of-stock!! Plus, I've seen them going for $150-200 - this place has them for only $100!!

Great Service - Mine came in yesterday and looks fantastic! - I can't wait to get it installed!!

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by RogersWRX
yup, you can use the existing power supply and vacuum hose from the factory gauge to install the Omori. Here a link to the installation instructions

http://www.j-spectuning.com/45mm_column.pdf

Mechanical Gauge, right?

[RogersWRX]

yup, the factory gauge is mechanical, so that's what you'd want to replace it with.

[Sick Boy]

Originally posted by RogersWRX
This is the only place I've seen that has them.

http://www.j-spectuning.com/omori.htm

I was looking for them for a while, but everywhere else had them as discontinued or out-of-stock!! Plus, I've seen them going for $150-200 - this place has them for only $100!!

Great Service - Mine came in yesterday and looks fantastic! - I can't wait to get it installed!!

I found this site.
http://www.alamoautosports.com/alamo...tml&lang=en-us

They claim it's like the WRX backlight and ORANGE needle. I thought it was yellow? It a few $ less but I think I'm going to order it from your place just b/c YOU have seen it and can verify the look.

Thanks again for the help! Now I'm stoked. Granted, I f'd up ordering the gauge from Subaru originally, but now that it can be fixed for $100, no worries.

[lucky2003]

Originally posted by RogersWRX
If you're looking for gauges, I'd go with the Omori. They measure in PSI and are the only ones that looks similar to the factory gauges - that is yellow needle with green backlight.

Here's where I got mine from - I actually replaced the factory column mount one which didn't match and measures boost in an obscure increment (.mpa)

http://www.j-spectuning.com/omori.htm

(Sorry if someone already asked) Does it block your view of the RPMs? And does this void the warranty? I wonder if the dealer can put this on instead of the OEM one? thanks