I want to install Boost Gauge to my MCS but I am not really sure where to connect to the engine. Anyone can help me?

Thanks.
Yuri

 

You can 'tee' into the fuel pressure regulator hose, it's on the left (facing the engine) under the intercooler elbow, on the intake manifold. A bit of a tight fit for your hands, but should not be any problem. Simply pull the hose off, and connect a tee to the hose, a new piece of short hose from the tee back to the fitting, and your boost gauge to the tee.

 

oooh, I wanna put a vacuum/boost gauge in Mr.Motor2
Auto Meter's Ultra-Lite gauges have a very similar look to the MINI's, silver face and bezel, even if the text style is different, whatever


While I'm at it, wanna put an air/fuel ratio gauge too:


Now, I just gotta find a location for the darn things! I'd like to have them usably visible during driving, so the typical panel below the toggles is out. The ProMINI gauge cluster on either side of the tach looks, um, tacky to me. I'll figure it out, eventually.

 

Hey, that's my gauge!

I am still in the planning stage for the gauges for mine, and being that it's a NAV-equipped MCS there is even less room near the steering column. If I didn't like the NAV as much as I do I'd pull it and use the space for a cluster of secondary gauges. Seeing that I didnt spend all that $$$ on the NAV just to have it sitting in my spare parts bin, it looks like some of the secondary gauges are going under the toggles. I'll figure out what to do with the more important ones, but I don't want to resort to pods on the dash or pillars, I dont want an Uncle Ben's Converted MINI.

 

Here's a pretty cool application a few of you guys might like... If I linked it right, it will take you to the last page. Then go down a bit...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...809&page=3

 

>>Here's a pretty cool application a few of you guys might like... If I linked it right, it will take you to the last page. Then go down a bit...
>>
>>http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...809&page=3


Those look really nice TonyB! However, I live in Kansas and having two fewer vents is unacceptable in our summer months!!

 

here is some more info;

my solution was in post 25 (with nav) oil pressure, water temp and boost.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ht=boost+gauge

 

I like jlm's better! Such a kit would be very nice...

 

Woah This is one BUSY dash.

 

yeah, those pods on the control stems and the MFSW really clutter it up!

 

oooo, who makes the temp gauge? i have NAV so no real gauge...I'd love that!

haf :smile:

edit: nevermind....followed the link :smile:
_________________
GO NAKED! - Debadge :smile:

 

Not to hijack the thread, but I was wondering if someone who has purchased autometer guages could shed some light on this. When you buy the gauge for I dunno how much, $50 or so they are, does it come with the sending unit and the proper hardware to get it to work or is it just the gauge and the rest of it you need to buy seperately?

 

The Auto Meter gauges come with the sender and all the mounting hardware necessary to install the gauge in a cutout opening. Gauges mounted in cups or something like the Promini cluster wont need to use the mounting bracketry. In the case of an electric (as opposed to mechanical) gauges, you will have to provide wiring from the sender to the gauge, from the gauge to a power source (to operate the gauge), illumination and a ground wire as well. This is just simple small-gauge (18 or smaller) hookup wire. Mechanical gauges connect directly via pressure lines or capillary tubing to the engine, this is usually included with mechanical oil pressure gauges and with temp gauges by default. You will only need to provide wiring for illumination in this case.

 

So, Ryan, you've had a whole 24 hours to think it over. What have you come up with?

Seriously...I'd like to do a brainstorming session here. I hear what you're saying, but I've got no ideas. Plus I've got a NAV which makes things even more interesting. I'm leaning toward the sub-toggle area...

 

I installed my own AutoMeter electronic boost gauge. I bought the cup and mounted it right to the steering column. I tapped power and illumination from behind the radio. The install was easy and quite a bit cheaper than any of the gauge sets I have seen for sale, and the visibility is great!

http://www.welchco.net/minicrunch/DSC02332.JPG

http://www.welchco.net/minicrunch/DSC02333.JPG

 

Can someone answer why you want to know what the
boost is when there's nothing you can do to change it?

And it's not exactly going to "fail" like an oil pump, or water pump.

 

Gauges like Boost/vacuum and Air/Fuel are "FUN" gauges! They let you see stuff move, kinda like an Oil Pressure gauge - it's always moving around. Makes life a bit more dynamic.

However, I'm also getting the boost/vacuum and air/fuel gauges so I can see how those aspects delta after my Pulley and ECU install


I thought about not doing this where you hijack the vents, but moving the two switches and recessing the gauges into the small space where the two buttons are. Non-intrusive, yet still viewable!

_________________

 

>>Can someone answer why you want to know what the
>>boost is when there's nothing you can do to change it?
>>
>>And it's not exactly going to "fail" like an oil pump, or water pump.
Ther are a variety uses of keeping track of boost pressure. One example is that if the rubber boots which hold the intercooler in place come loose or develop a leak of some sort which has happened to some of those that have installed the reduced size super charger wheel you will notice that via the gauge imediately. Without it you may or may not notice the gradual reduction in power and possibly cause other damage to the engine.

 

Hi Ryephle -

Did you have any luck getting the A/F gauge and other gauges installed?

I am considering the promini gauge cluster (i have the nav) for boost and oil pressure. It's my understanding from their site that these gauges are "plug and play", which I assume means I can hook them right into the ECU and be done with them... Not sure if thiis is right or if I still need to wire some senders and drill some holes. Sorry, I'm new at this.

I'd also like to wire up the Autometer A/F gauge and either oil or water temp. Does anyone know how easy/difficult this is, and what the process would be? As far as the mounting of the actual gauges, I will probably fabricate some kind of enclosure under the toggle area. Any thoughts on whether either water temp or oil temp is more useful and/or easier to install?

 

Gunthek: last I heard, the Promini bracket didn't fit a NAV car. once you solve that problem, you will have to route wires to the engine compartment for signals and under the dash for power, ground and illumination.

You will have to add an oil pressure sensor, tap into the boost pressure with a a line. I have oil pressure, electronic boost and water temp fitted to NAV with a custom bracket. (all gauges are Automeer electronic 2-1/16" Ultralite)

 

>>Gunthek: last I heard, the Promini bracket didn't fit a NAV car. once you solve that problem, you will have to route wires to the engine compartment for signals and under the dash for power, ground and illumination.
>>
>>You will have to add an oil pressure sensor, tap into the boost pressure with a a line. I have oil pressure, electronic boost and water temp fitted to NAV with a custom bracket. (all gauges are Automeer electronic 2-1/16" Ultralite)

Hi Jlm,

thanks for your quick reply :smile:

I think the promini cluster is offered in a "nav" version now: http://www.promini.com/products/gauges.shtml

So it sounds like the "plug and play" aspect still requires tapping senders into various engine locations. I guess I figured that some of this engine information was already being monitored by the ECU, and the sensors would already be in place. Does the water temp gauge require adding a sensor as well? How long did it take for you to get all 3 of your gauges up and running?