With the supercharged engine is there ever Vacuum or is it always pressurized? I want to install a Boost guage but they also sell a Vac/boost guage that will show vac in the system if their is any and then boost when it's pressurized. Where can you tap in and get boost pressure?

 

Go for the Vac/Boost gauge - you normally will run 18-22 vacuum, and only boost when you're into the throttle. On my supercharged miata I'm amazed at how little I actually get into boost. Sure fun when you do, though. :smile:
There should be several places to tap into - cruise, or any convenient vacuum port. Don't know for sure 'cause I'm still a MINI wanna-be. But someday soon...

 

Definitely vacuum/boost. I used the vacuum line between the intake manifold and the fuel pressure regulator. I didn't need to cut anything, just removed the line from the manifold nipple, put the line onto a tee, and ran one piece of hose back to the nipple, and another hose to my boost gauge.

 

you can get the promini gauges and do plug and play :smile:

 

>>you can get the promini gauges and do plug and play :smile:

Yea, but for $475? The guages they use are the Autometer Ultra-lite guages, they cost less than $50 each from jegs.com and I can buy the Alta Guage holder for $160. That's what I plan to do. I may even fabricate my own guage holder and save myself $150. More money for ECU upgrade!

 

Does anyone know if any of the gauges used by ricers work on the MCS? Especially the ones on the drivers side windshield frame.


Peter

 

ctually the guages are moe expenisive than that you looked at the mechanical guages, the promini comes with electrical guages, check again!!

 

>>ctually the guages are moe expenisive than that you looked at the mechanical guages, the promini comes with electrical guages, check again!!

Dooooh, guess I should have paid more attention when I was reading the catalog. You are correct. Electric Oil pressure guage is about $56 but the electric boost guage is about $187. That makes a big difference! Makes me wonder though, is the electronic boost guage that much better? I know it has some nice features on it but should the mechanical one work just as well?

 

Electronic boost gauges have two advantages, in my experience:

1) They do not buzz as mechanical gauges do. The supercharger creayes pulses that cause the mechanical gauge's needle to vibrate and make noise. I spliced in a fuel filter in-line with the gauge line to alleviate this condition.

2) Electronic gauges usually have peak-hold or "telltale" to let you know how much peak boost you had. Some gauges like Defi have a 40-second playback so you can watch exactly what happened when your engine blew up. Again and again.

 

supermini:

I have a perfectly good -15,+15psi autometer 2-1/16: electronic gauge, complete, I can make you a deal on. Same gauge as in the Promini kit.

 

>>supermini:
>>
>>I have a perfectly good -15,+15psi autometer 2-1/16: electronic gauge, complete, I can make you a deal on. Same gauge as in the Promini kit.

Ok, have you used it and why you getting rid of it?

 

my car exceeds 16 psi. the gauge is used and i want $125

 

>>my car exceeds 16 psi. the gauge is used and i want $125
>>

Ummmm, will I have the same problem if I've replaced the pulley?

 

Just installed the autometer Boost/Vacuum gauge and the needle only stay in Vac side. When Idle is 18 in.Hg and when full throttle the needle back to Zero. Never goes to boost side. Why?
I got the defective gauge or I hook up the tube to the wrong place?
Please help.

Thank.
Yuri

 

Question .... If you are going to install a Vac/Boost gauge on a MCS with a 15% Reduction Pulley how much psi does the gauge have to capable of reading. From the postings I think that 15psi boost gauge will fall short.


Cheers

 

righto; you need the 30psi (also an Autometer electric) gauge if you have the pulley...my car has indicated 18psi max. 20 would have been sufficient, but that max range is not available from Autometer.

 

All of the Pro mini guage kits now include the 30PSI guages. They are all Electric with high boost memory, and programable over boost warning light. The kit is pre assembled and fairly easy to install. Wires are all plug & play.

With cars now getting into the 20 psi boost range, a 30psi guage is the best choice.




If you want to see the guage in action, watch the video! Note cameraman was having a little trouble holding on.See the boost!!!

 

>>Definitely vacuum/boost. I used the vacuum line between the intake manifold and the fuel pressure regulator. I didn't need to cut anything, just removed the line from the manifold nipple, put the line onto a tee, and ran one piece of hose back to the nipple, and another hose to my boost gauge.


Andy, do you have a schematic showing where these lines are?

Thanks,
Sid