Installed my boost gauge tonight

[MountainDew]

Well I bought a boost gauge for $20 last week. I've got an MBC, so I wanted to get a gauge going and a datalogger so I can up my boost when the car is off jackstands. I'm waiting on some parts still, so I had some idle time.

I was trying to figure out where to mount the bracket that came with it. Couldn't find anywhere I wanted it. Then I thought about spending $20-$30 on a pillar, but it's so overplayed.

Read through the tech articles and came across the cigarette lighter "pod". No offense to the writer, but he didn't have much information for it. But I figured, can't be too difficult eh?

So I took the center console out and took the cigarette lighter out. No big deal for me, I don't smoke cigarettes and if I buy a radar detector, I always wire it to the fuse box.

I got out the rotary tool and just started grinding away. I'd say I spent about 35 minutes grinding and cutting plastic. The only problem is I'm having some trouble getting it to stay. It slides around a little bit. I don't want to epoxy or jbweld though, I might try and custom rig a bracket and attach that to where one of the shift boot screws are.

Anyways, it was REAL easy to do and I'd advise everyone to give it a shot. Wiring is a piece of cake, you just use the wires from the light that was on the cigarette lighter. Then run your vacuum hose as needed and viola.

Here are some pictures for your pleasure. I'm pretty sure I'll be one of the only people around here with this done! This also gave me an opportunity to re-wire and solder my turbo timer.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7387/1013924yd6.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/16/1013933sc0.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4592/1013938oe4.jpg

 

[InfiniteGSX]

NICEEEEE! I installed a Volt Meter there on my black car. But that looks hot! Nice job man! time to clean the boot from all the debris tho!

 

[MountainDew]

NICEEEEE! I installed a Volt Meter there on my black car. But that looks hot! Nice job man! time to clean the boot from all the debris tho!

Yeah its cleaned up in the last picture. I love having a 30psi air compressor in the garage. Works great for keyboards as well!

Thanks for the props though! I was thinking about mounting the turbo timer next to it, but I like the timer underneath the radio where it's at.

 

[redeclipse7782]

I hope you didn't take the last pic with the car on because if you did, your vac is extremely low. So low infact im surprised it is running. Its most likely a leak in the line/fitting that connects to the boost gauge. Fix that asap, because it won't be giving you an acurate reading while in vac or boost. Stock engine vac should be around 20, with oversized cams anywhere from 10-15.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I hope you didn't take a pic with the car on because if you did, your vac is extremely low. So low infact im surprised it is running, or you may have a leak in the line/fitting that connects to the boost gauge. Stock engine vac should be around 20, with oversized cams anywhere from 10-15.

Look at the first picture, its at 0... Maybe he did have the car running and pressed the gas peddle when taking the picture.. Which would drop the Vacume down to 0. Could have just caught it during that process.

 

[guitarhero14]

I like your gauge and its a good install. Ever considered putting a different, less important gauge there? Only suggest this since you have to look away from the road to see your boost.

 

[MountainDew]

I'm only going to look at boost when I'm doing pulls and datalogging, or whenever I want to adjust it. So it won't be often. I feel comfortable enough with it there, I play with my radio while I drive and I'm fine.

And the car was not running at all.. I actually dropped the stupid gauge, and it moved the needle.

But yeah car is not running at all.. I'm currently in the process of taking the head off .

 

[Defiant]

A dab of silicone seal will hold it in place while remaining removable.

 

[D_Roc1320]

I love seeing things like this done. It gives me hope and excites me to do things like this to my car. I saw a mazdaspeed3 with the boost gauge in the vent and it looked pretty good to. And yeah I would have put a less important gauge there too but hey whatever floats your boat. Not bashing you... I think it looks great.

 

[MountainDew]

I love seeing things like this done. It gives me hope and excites me to do things like this to my car. I saw a mazdaspeed3 with the boost gauge in the vent and it looked pretty good to. And yeah I would have put a less important gauge there too but hey whatever floats your boat. Not bashing you... I think it looks great.

Thanks man! It's quite simple. Rotary tool and a rotating disc ftw.