install electronic boost gauge

[austenf740]

How is installing an electronic boost gauge different from installing a mechanical one? Does anyone have instructions on how to do this?

[pace]

Originally posted by austenf740
How is installing an electronic boost gauge different from installing a mechanical one? Does anyone have instructions on how to do this?

Although there's more components, it's usually easier.

You'll be tapping for a boost line as you would with a mechanical, but will only need to run the line a short distance to a control-unit which will often reside in the engine bay. From the control-unit a wiring harness will need to be run through the firewall to the head unit.

Greddys are this way, which each head having it's own controller. With Defis on the other hand you daisy-chain the gauges together and I believe they are driven from a single controller.

Not having to run a boost line through the firewall saves a major headache IMO. Electronic gauges, apart from being more accurate have an added coolness factor: When you turn the key, all the gauges come up to the 'home' point.

-Pace

[PhreeZe]

Originally posted by pace


Although there's more components, it's usually easier.

You'll be tapping for a boost line as you would with a mechanical, but will only need to run the line a short distance to a control-unit which will often reside in the engine bay. From the control-unit a wiring harness will need to be run through the firewall to the head unit.

Greddys are this way, which each head having it's own controller. With Defis on the other hand you daisy-chain the gauges together and I believe they are driven from a single controller.

Not having to run a boost line through the firewall saves a major headache IMO. Electronic gauges, apart from being more accurate have an added coolness factor: When you turn the key, all the gauges come up to the 'home' point.

-Pace

This might be a dumb questions but people have been telling me I can get a cheap but good boost gauge from summitracing.com or something like that. Its called the autometer I believe. Is this one electronic?

[pace]

Originally posted by PhreeZe
This might be a dumb questions but people have been telling me I can get a cheap but good boost gauge from summitracing.com or something like that. Its called the autometer I believe. Is this one electronic?

Autometer may have electronic gauges, but most likely if its 'cheap' then its a mechanical gauge. These are probably ok if you just want to tinker with your boost a little, but I strongly favor electronic gauges not least because they are easier to install.

-Pace

[PhreeZe]

Originally posted by pace


Autometer may have electronic gauges, but most likely if its 'cheap' then its a mechanical gauge. These are probably ok if you just want to tinker with your boost a little, but I strongly favor electronic gauges not least because they are easier to install.

-Pace

I just want something I can when I get my MBC.

[gqzboy]

hard to find defi package in a decent price now, gosh i wish i can still get it for 800 from god, but its now 1000 bucks.. now i might just have to use my a pillar with the cheap autometer carbon fiber series setup..

[pace]

Originally posted by gqzboy
hard to find defi package in a decent price now, gosh i wish i can still get it for 800 from god, but its now 1000 bucks.. now i might just have to use my a pillar with the cheap autometer carbon fiber series setup..

Greddy are very nice also, and are significantly cheaper than Defi gauges.

A boost gauge will run you around $150.

-Pace

[sid]

for those with greddy electronic boost gauges, what should it read at idle? i turn the ignition right before engine start the needle sets to 0, at idle it's reading way below 0, near the 500 range. is this normal? i tapped at the bov line with a hks bov installed if this makes any difference. thanks.

[pace]

Originally posted by sid
for those with greddy electronic boost gauges, what should it read at idle? i turn the ignition right before engine start the needle sets to 0, at idle it's reading way below 0, near the 500 range. is this normal? i tapped at the bov line with a hks bov installed if this makes any difference. thanks.

That's normal.

-Pace

[HS WRB-rex]

autometer mechanical boost gauges are fairly accurate. For boost, mechanical is gonna be a better choice as it is often quicker, it is probably the only type of gauge where mechanical is preferred over electrical. running the line through the firewall is easy as autometer vacuum/boost lines are small and fairly rigid