Could use boost gauge help and info

[Enigma_Man]

Okay, so I have a Lotec 3 gauge A-pillar pod, and just a boost gauge. I have some questions about stuff.

1) When you mounted your pod, did you cut away the plastic interior trim, and use the pod to replace it, or just screw it onto the top of it?

2) If you did screw it onto the top of it, how/where did you run the power/tubing down to the dash?

2a) If you did cut away the plastic interior trim, where/how did you run the wires/tubing?

3) The plastic tubing they give you sucks. Mine got squished where I had it going down behind the dash (just sorta shoved it down a crack) and now it's permanently squished, and reports vacuum incorrectly. What would be a good replacement for the shoddy plastic tubing?

4) Maybe I'm lazy, or couldn't find it or whatever, but I had a real hard time finding a way to run the hose to the engine bay. I ended up putting a hole through the steering column boot through the firewall, and just shoving it through there. I'd like to find a more permanent/better spot. Anybody know of any good locations / what I gotta take apart to get to them?

Thanks a ton in advance guys

-Jesse

 

[koreanpersuasio]

Here, look at this link for the install part through the firewall. http://www.roadraceengineering.com/instructions/vdoboostgaugeinstructions.htm

I put my nylon tubing through the steering coloumn and had no trouble. just make sure to zip tie it up on both sides so it doesnt fall down. Also silicon sealant works great for the hole made through the firewall.

you can also use silicon tubing for the boost gauge. just take your boost gauge to your local auto store, and they should have the proper vaccum tubing.

I believe that those pillar pods are supposed to replace the existing pillar. ONly the single pods are supposed to be screwed on over the existing pillars.

 

[Black95GSX]

You are supposed to remove your OEM pillar... they pop out rather easily.

 

[broox]

my instructions said to leave the OEM pillar and to attach the new one over it.

 

[Enigma_Man]

Holy crap, old thread.

That Lotek gauge pod has since been destroyed by a stupid thief who broke my window, and stole my boost gauge, and ignored my CDs, Laptop, and other valuables in my passenger seat.

I now have the gauge mounted down low, where idiot criminals won't be as likely to see it.

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-Jesse

 

[broox]

haha, i didn't even look at the date. funny.

anyway, i just got my autometer boost/vac gauge in and working last night. i guess that when i originally bought it, i was a little confused as to what the "vac" part did. alright, don't hate me too much, but... i originally thought that the boost gauge read boost and then once the blowoff valve kicked in, the boost would shoot over to vac and then back to 0. But the car runs around 15-20 psi vac when cruising and then i can get it up to about 12/13 psi with my stock turbo.

sorry for the ignorance, but what exactly is the vac measuring?

 

[a351must2]

vac= vacuum ... it's measuring air pressure below atmospheric pressure.

vacuum in an engine corresponds to the engine wanting more air than it can get through the throttle body. 0" vacuum is usually what you'll see when the throttle body is wide open and letting all the air in that the engine wants.

 

[broox]

i know that vac=vaccuum. but thanks for telling me what exactly vaccuum means.

derek

 

[Enigma_Man]

Yeah, all the autometer boost/vac gauge measures is the pressure inside the manifold, after the throttle. Like A351 said, the values you're seeing are normal. When the throttle is closed, or only open a little, the engine is trying to suck all its air through that, so it creates a vacuum in the manifold. Once the turbo spins up, it's being force-fed, so it builds up pressure, rather than causing vacuum by sucking.

-Jesse

 

[cait sith]

Originally posted by Enigma_Man
Holy crap, old thread.

That Lotek gauge pod has since been destroyed by a stupid thief who broke my window, and stole my boost gauge, and ignored my CDs, Laptop, and other valuables in my passenger seat.

I now have the gauge mounted down low, where idiot criminals won't be as likely to see it.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

-Jesse

What a waste of your air vents! For ONE gauge?!

 

[Enigma_Man]

I've never once used one of those vents. My left vent is covered by my palm-pilot too, so there's only one front-vent left. I always have it set to defrost (or occasionally defrost + floor, if I have a girl with bare legs riding along), because I don't like air blowing at me.

-Jesse

 

[broox]

i love air blowing at me. i have my windows down everywhere i go.

(unless it's raining hard or like 30 degrees outside)