Well, after much waiting, My boost gauge has arrived.

I am using a Pillar Gauge pod, and an Autometer Boost Gauge.

Here are some of the extra steps I have taken that differs from most installs.

First, I had to modify the Gauge pod to fit the mini. THis was accomplished with a heat guy (Specifically a paint stripper heat gun) Once I was happy with the fit, I painted the pod the same color (or as close a color as sears had) to the grey pillars.

Now for the install. I installed the Tubing (not the standard tubing, but a high performance kit that I was testing with much thicker tubing (will show a comparison later) I pulled the tubing that went to the fuel pressure regulator off of the far left end of the intake manifold. That now Goes directly into a T connector, with a new piece of tubing coming from the T to the intake connector. I then ran that tubing directly bac to the guage pod through the engine compartment, through the Firewall, and finally to the gauge pod.

Then came the mounting of the pod. It required cutting of a large section of the left pillar plastic, so this is not for every one.

I then mounted the gauge pod with Sear Hevy Duty Double sided tape.

These pictures are the final pictures. Let me know what you think..

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

www.thepilo.com/images/gaugepod/

 

Herre is a comparison of the different tubing... I am using the one on the left...



Thanks,
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

I think it looks good. Bravo.

Heat gun? not guy
and
Sears Heavy Duty?

 

Lol Yea... That's what I get for fast typing.. lol

 

Looks great looks like it came with the car.

Earl

 

Excellent work Dan!!!

I sort of thought that such a mount would be problematic on the pillar due to air bag location (namely deployment)... Maybe not...

So, (I have to ask!) what kind of boost are you getting? I have the same meter via PROMINI... It's amazing how seldom, in "normal" driving, one actually uses boost in our MCS's...

Again, nice work!




_________________
2003 IB MCS

 

Tony,

I am peeking out at about 16-16.5 psi. I get about 10 PSI on average, and 16-16.5 at the top end.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Maybe this has been covered elsewhere, but, what is the purpose of a boost guage?
The boost is what it is, right? Higher revs=higher boost? Does it change the way you drive?

It does look cool, though.

 

It is helpful when doing mods to your car. It allows you to see some sort of change that is measurable.

That and it just looks cool

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Dan,
Have you taken into cinsideration that mounting anything to the A-Pillar could become a projectile if that Curtian Air Bag ever goes off or hinder the correct operation of it?

Looks good though.

 

Thanks Dan. That is very much inline with what I got as a high (a tad under 17) on a cool morning before getting 3.6 over my EVOTech...

This gauge lets one set a warning light at a particular boost level, and it also keeps track of the highest boost attained. As Dan said, it is sort of nice to see how your mods impact performance. Being chipped does make a difference. And while some might see this as a novelty, it is a pretty cool one, I feel.

It also can be used to monitor funtionality concerns as well, such as SC belt issues, leakage, etc...

Dan, if you will be selling these, kudos to you!

 

>>Dan,
>> Have you taken into cinsideration that mounting anything to the A-Pillar could become a projectile if that Curtian Air Bag ever goes off or hinder the correct operation of it?
>>
>>Looks good though.

I have looked at the airbag, and it come out of the top causing the A-Pillar's top to go down, while the bottom pretty much stays still. This will not cause any problems with proper air bag deployment. This was a concern at first, but as I poked around, I found it to be pretty much a non issue.

Tony,

I am still debating whether or not to sell these. Have to look into cost and stuff, but thanks for the vote of confidence.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Is it backlit?

 

Yes, It is back light with a red light. I only discussed the mechanical portion of the install.

I just wired the light to switched power so there is no dimming or anything.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Dan,

What is the little blue box below the boost gauge next to the window?

Jason

 

TheBLue Box is my GPS Reciever. It goes into my Ipaq gor GPS Nav

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Like the gauge itself, the backlighting matches stock quite nicely! As far as dimming goes, in a huge wire bundle forward the fuse area, one can find two wires that are, grey/red/blk, I believe. The one hardest locate (wouldn't you know it!), is the dimming one... If you want me to clarify the wire color, let me know. Having a test light might be prudent.

I want a voltmeter and oil temp, along with my boost and oil pressure, and I'll be a happy camper :smile:

 

Can you give an estimate on total time needed to do the install?
Is there another gauge that can be added to that area giving a dual gauge look? Voltmeter, coolant temp, oil pressure,
vacuum, etc.

 

I know that with my boost gauge install on the column, I would say a couple hours. I spent a fair amount more time doing the oil pressure...

As far as a dual gauge goes on the A pillar, I think Dan said that one needs to utilize the lower portion, for airbag concerns. Anything more than one gauge might be too much for that limited space, but I don't know...

 

That's cool.

But I can see the lawsuit now...

Man Killed by BoostGauge Launched By Airbag.

Good Luck

Keep the price Well Under $100 and I'm sure it's a seller...

Otherwise, buy a podless gauge from your local SpeedShop.

-West Coast Coopers

 

Here is a picture of it at night....



It matches up real nice...

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

excellent.....

 

>>Herre is a comparison of the different tubing... I am using the one on the left...
>>
>>

 

Actually it was much easier then i thought.. I ran it through on the far drivers side through a pre-existing hole.

The reaction time of the boost gauge is almost institanious though.

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

Dan,
Did you use the heavier tubing for the reaction time, or was it to prevent future blow-outs? How did you secure the tubing to the fittings, hose clamps or?? TIA, this is my next project