Tapping a boost gauge

orangedsm · Nov 1, 2004

Ok, I've read all the vfaqs, and I'm going to tap it at the Fuel Pressure solenoid line.

The question I have is how exactly do I tap this. I know I get a plastic T and tap in there and then hook up the tube coming from the gauge. It's a 1/8" tube, do I just buy a 1/8" T and slide the boost line over the end of it? Or is there another way, it seems like the line would come off that way.

If anyone could post a pic of their install that would be great!

Thanks, and sorry for the noob question, seems like being on my 3rd DSM I'd have this figured out by now :mad:

Dieselboy · Nov 1, 2004

Just buy a metal or plastic T that fits snug in the line. Cut the line, and tap the tee between. Then run the vacuum line coming from the gauge to the side nipple of the T fitting.

orangedsm · Nov 1, 2004

So I just slide the boost line from the gauge over the fitting on the T? See I would test this out on my own, but being stationed in Italy, I can't find a single hardware store that carries these plastic T's, so I'm trying to get a friend back home to find me one, and want to make sure he gets the right size T.

orangedsm · Nov 1, 2004

Actually, Dieselboy, it's kinda funny, but from the pic in your sig, your car looks ALOT like my old one. Where are you from in Seattle, and when did you buy that car? It would be funny if that's my old car that your driving.

edit: NM, just looked through your gallery, not the same color as my old one. I had a Gunmetal Gray 92 Talon TSi AWD with a FMIC that said Spearco on it, I was over in the Bremerton area, sold it a few months before I left.

Dieselboy · Nov 1, 2004

Small world. I bought the car bone stock back in July down in Klamath Falls, OR from a guy named Jeff.

Not sure on the exact size of the T you need, I would say anywhere between a 1/8" to a 5/16" would be the right size.

vtracer20 · Nov 1, 2004

i used 3/32 T's cause the 1/8's where loose when put it into the lines, if u want a more snug fitting just get 3/32's,

PaleDSM · Nov 1, 2004

I usually use 1/8" T's because that is what is readily available. Just zip tie the spliced ends tight and it will be fine. Depending on what kind of line your boost gauge is using it can be tough. Autometers come with the hard plastic line which will fit over a barbed 1/8" T....eventually. If you have that kind of boost gauge line it is easier to use some 1/8 rubber hose as a coupler and Zip tie it nice and tight.

vtracer20 · Nov 1, 2004

my vdo gauge didnt' come with anything so i had to find everything...home depot had alot of the stuff, line, fittings, i got the T's from a autoparts store but had to upgrade to 3/32 cause the 1/8th wouldn't if right...it would be loose even with a zip tie on it. IF i dont care about he dimmer stuff where would i splice into the power and ground to get teh gauge to light up. I got directions but i dont really care about how bright it is

trbotaln · Nov 1, 2004

My boost guage is tapped into my fuel pressure line and I have heard of peolpe tapping into the throttle body line. Which is better and whats the difference?

rjclagett · Nov 1, 2004

I put my gauge in a few days ago and tapped it in the same place, but I'm not getting any vacumn readings. My boost is working just fine. Anyone have any ideas? I have been told vacumn leak, which I can't find, or just a broken gauge.

trbotaln · Nov 1, 2004

My vacuum seems to work fine. Maybe you do have a vacuum problem.

vtracer20 · Nov 2, 2004

i know that another place u can tap into is the fuel line that goes to the back side of the fuel rail...is this true...are results better/worse?

Dieselboy · Nov 2, 2004

You can tap into any line that see's vacuum pressure (basically any line attached to the intake manifold). You will get the same result, which is an accurate vaccum/boost reading if hooked up properly.

orangedsm · Nov 2, 2004

Alright I'm having a friend of mine pick me up a 1/8" and a 1/32" T. Also having him pick me up some Lucas Oil Stabilizer and some of that engine "Gunk Out" stuff. I've got pretty bad phantom knock from lifter tick, so figure I'll try it out and see if it helps. If it doesn't, then I'm going to do the 3G Lifter upgrade, anyone got a link to a tech article on that swap?

Raph · Nov 2, 2004

orangedsm said:
So I just slide the boost line from the gauge over the fitting on the T? See I would test this out on my own, but being stationed in Italy, I can't find a single hardware store that carries these plastic T's, so I'm trying to get a friend back home to find me one, and want to make sure he gets the right size T.

go to an opel dealer,ask for the T fitting on the oil return for the Diesel injectors on a X20DTL Astra G

Motor code is X20DTL

go to any autoparts store and ask for a T fitting... even if u cant speak italian,take a pic with u! or check out a hardware store..... :thumb:

vtracer20 · Nov 2, 2004

i think the 1/32 T fitting will be too small for the tubing in the engine bay..just when u get them look at the 1/8 which is pretty small and get the next size up...you'll see one that's just a little bigger...that one fit just perfect into the vacuum tubing in the engine bay.

PaleDSM · Nov 2, 2004

rjclagett said:
I put my gauge in a few days ago and tapped it in the same place, but I'm not getting any vacumn readings. My boost is working just fine. Anyone have any ideas? I have been told vacumn leak, which I can't find, or just a broken gauge.

Chances are you tapped the wrong line. Check again and to make sure you tapped the correct line.

orangedsm · Nov 2, 2004

Raph said:
go to an opel dealer,ask for the T fitting on the oil return for the Diesel injectors on a X20DTL Astra G

Motor code is X20DTL

go to any autoparts store and ask for a T fitting... even if u cant speak italian,take a pic with u! or check out a hardware store.....

Problem is, I can't find any autoparts stores, all there are is mechanics, it's like people in Italy don't work on their own cars or something :confused:

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Tapping a boost gauge

orangedsm

Dieselboy

orangedsm

orangedsm

Dieselboy

vtracer20

PaleDSM

vtracer20

trbotaln

rjclagett

trbotaln

vtracer20

Dieselboy

orangedsm

Raph

vtracer20

PaleDSM

orangedsm

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