Is there an "over the counter" boost gauge availabe for my MCS? Something that I could mount, similar to a turbo boost gauge?

Kinda stupid I guess when one is talking about a driect link roots blower but... mods should show an increase in boost right, so it would be handy..

 

BMP uses the autometer boost gage . It is the ultra lite series 2/ 14. Works great and was a easy install.

 

Try a search in the "interior and exterior" forum section of NAM. Personally, i'm going for a SPA dual electronic gauge, boost and oil pressure combination and a single gauge pod.

1) Here's the SPA URL. Do a google on SPA dual gauges to find a good retail source.

a) Product Description: http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/dualtacho.htm
b) How-To: http://www.spa-design.co.uk/DG50%20m...vision%203.doc

2) Here's a NAM thread on boost gauge wiring:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c=19166&10

3) Here's a great photo how-to:
http://engr.smu.edu/rcam/cpm3v/minig...inigauges.html

Good luck, post a pics when your in business.

SMKKVK

 

Thanks for the info. I think that I will pick up a gauge pod for myself. That will be great. Thanks for the links to the great sites.

Anyone know where you can get an o-ring mount for behind the tach? Does anyone sell this seperate? Or only in a kit?

 

GREAT, thanks guys.. I'm new to this site, coming from vancouver BC, but I sure like seeing lots of folks on line.

I have the single so mine would look differant, but they are obviously out there.

Again, thanks.

Lory

 

I've just installed an SPA dual boost/temp gauge. I've got the boost side all plumbed in, but waiting for an inline radiator gauge adapter to come in. As soon as I get the last part in the mail, and install the temp sensor, I'll be posting an extensive install write up with pics. Probably a week or two off.

These units are slick! The red glow is a very close color match, and you can have twice the instrumentation in the same location.

So far, max boost that I've seen is 9.8psi, (no, I have no pully - I want to keep my warranty as long as possible).

-joe

 

Joe-

I look forward to seeing your write up with the pics. I think that I will try to install it afer I get back from vacation next week. That sounds like a good fun project. Where is a good place to buy the gauge pod... with the best price?

 

I am using the Mini aux gauge console that goes in the cubby below the toggles right now. I have it velcroed in place to the down tubes. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep this set up or not when I first started thinking about additional instrumentation - mainly because the boost gauge is not around eye level. But having had it hooked up for about a week now, It is quite useable in its location. I think that this works well because the gauge is digital. You can read it instantly at a glance. If I had gone with analog gauges, it would probably be a headache to quickly read the sweeping hands.

But I like this loation with these gauges. It looks as if it belongs there. I never really liked the 'stuck on' look of the pods on the side of the tach, and had planned to fabricate a custom holder. But I thought I'd give the Mini part a try first. If you're interrested, it's around $45.00 and the part # is 82-94-0-015-951.

-joe

 

Thanks for the info Joe. I really love the look of the additional instrumentation on the Tach. It looks so great. As for hooking them up, I know that the mini has mostly digital everytyhing... however it seems more accurate to hook it up mechanically / analog. That seems as if it would be more accurate. Any thoughts on this...

If I do go digital, where is the hook up for the gauges?

 

>>I am using the Mini aux gauge console that goes in the cubby below the toggles right now. I have it velcroed in place to the down tubes. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep this set up or not when I first started thinking about additional instrumentation - mainly because the boost gauge is not around eye level. But having had it hooked up for about a week now, It is quite useable in its location. I think that this works well because the gauge is digital. You can read it instantly at a glance. If I had gone with analog gauges, it would probably be a headache to quickly read the sweeping hands.
>>
>>But I like this loation with these gauges. It looks as if it belongs there. I never really liked the 'stuck on' look of the pods on the side of the tach, and had planned to fabricate a custom holder. But I thought I'd give the Mini part a try first. If you're interrested, it's around $45.00 and the part # is 82-94-0-015-951.
>>
>>-joe

 

Thanks for the picture Andy. That looks great. I am still sticking with the TACH gauge. Call me crazy...

 

>>Thanks for the info Joe. I really love the look of the additional instrumentation on the Tach. It looks so great. As for hooking them up, I know that the mini has mostly digital everytyhing... however it seems more accurate to hook it up mechanically / analog. That seems as if it would be more accurate. Any thoughts on this...
>>
>>If I do go digital, where is the hook up for the gauges?

The SPA units are highly accurate. Way more accurate that most of us probably need. The temp sensors read in tenths of a degree, which is way more resolution than you could possibly get with mechanical. The pressure sensor is accurate to greater than 2% at max pressure. Also, for you highly modded, big boost guys, this gauge is a 16 BAR max - THAT'S 232PSI!

These gauges are produced for race cars - hence the price tag. They are packed full of features that other gauges simply don't offer. For example, you could set up an intake temp gauge to actuate a intercooler water spray system when the temp reaches a certain point. Plus, twice the gauge in the same space.

As far as hooking up the senders, they go in various places under the hood, depending on what you are measuring. You have to route either tubing or wiring through the firewall, and connect to the back side of the gauge. I will have a very detailed write up on where to put the T for the boost gauge, as I originally tapped the wrong line.

But if you're dead set on mechanical, there are several packages out there which include the gauges and the pod. Here's a link to Promini's ->
http://www.promini.com/products/gauges.shtml

-joe

 

>>I've just installed an SPA dual boost/temp gauge. I've got the boost side all plumbed in, but waiting for an inline radiator gauge adapter to come in. As soon as I get the last part in the mail, and install the temp sensor, I'll be posting an extensive install write up with pics. Probably a week or two off.
>>
>>These units are slick! The red glow is a very close color match, and you can have twice the instrumentation in the same location.
>>
>>So far, max boost that I've seen is 9.8psi, (no, I have no pully - I want to keep my warranty as long as possible).
>>
>>-joe
>>
-------------
Joe,

With the single SPA dual guage in the "below the toggle switch" in the cubby hole, what did you place in the 2nd gauge opening?

Thanks,
SMKKVK

 

Probably going to go with the SPA oil pressure/oil temp. There are so many different combos in the dual gauges, it's almost dizzying. For awhile, I was toying with the idea of intake temp, post intercooler intake temp. But I was thinking of using a water spray set up back then.

-joe

 

>>I am using the Mini aux gauge console that goes in the cubby below the toggles right now. I have it velcroed in place to the down tubes. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep this set up or not when I first started thinking about additional instrumentation - mainly because the boost gauge is not around eye level. But having had it hooked up for about a week now, It is quite useable in its location. I think that this works well because the gauge is digital. You can read it instantly at a glance. If I had gone with analog gauges, it would probably be a headache to quickly read the sweeping hands.

If you can live with function over aesthetics, one neat trick for making analog gauges quicker to read is to rotate them in the panel face so that the "good" range of each gauge face is oriented to the 12 o'clock position. Then, at a glance, you can tell if things are OK just by noting the angle of the needle- no need to fuss over tring to associate it with a number if things are in the "normal" range. Take a closer look if the needles move too far from "straight up."

If you want to know exact numbers, it's easier to get an OBD2 data logger to record your drive cycle.