lol

yes, the boost gauge can also be used as a "fuel-economy meter"

 

It doesn't appear that the T connections are part of the Ulta Lite 2 package, at least mine doesn't have it, does anybody know where I can get one?

And in an earlier post someone mentioned that "To connect the "T" fitting to the nylon tubing you need a 5/32" to 1/8" vaccum reducer fitting, which is shown in the original pictures but I don't think it's mentioned in the write-ups. The connection to the fuel pressure regulator would probably be easier with a vaccum elbow fitting". Is this correct? Thanks. Michael

 

"T"s are avaliable from good auto parts stores. Morroso has Alu ons made for the job.
Please do yourself a favor and do NOT ues a brass T from the hardware store. They have a greater chance of fracturing with vibration.
Ask me how I know ... a tow from Vagas to SFO

Also the T will need a "extender" where it screws into the sensor spot. as the shap of the T will not allow you to screw it in.

I have now gone to a flex SS hose to hold the sender that is mounted to the firewall

 

Nice looking set-up....I am going to remove the crAApy gauge pod that came with the Mini gauge kit. The pod is really close to the dash and some even need to modify it to make it works. My question is when you use the AutoMeter cup does it rub or prevent movement on the right side of the steering column?

Thanks for your help!
Rick

 

I only see one grey with pink strip and it's not working at all. Help! All I want to do is light the gauge....

 

I did the Auto Meter boost gauge install today and wanted to post a thank you for this excellent how-to thread!!!

one question; I found the grey/red wire and used it to connect the gauge but I find the amount of light to be seriously lacking compared to the rest of the factory gauges. Is there a way to improve this, is there another wire that might provide a higher voltage, perhaps a constant 12 V?

edit - apparently there must be a significant difference between an orange bulb and the amber led conversion. I'll visit my local auto shop tomorrow to get an orange bulb...

 

If you have the heated seats option, connect the positive wire to that switch...

It you don't have that option, you could connect it to the dimmer switch next to the speedometer...

PM me if you need any help!

 

Is there a AM gauge that will read to 35psi?

 

^^ Here ya go!
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Question: The "ring of fire" effect in the photos of lit up gauges. Is that as noticable in person, or is it a photo exposure thing?

 

What series gauges does this one come from? or is this a one off made to match minis, because Ive been looking for a lot of gauges (oil pressure/temp/EGT) to match the MINI

 

DarkMINICooperS,
Thank you for an excellent how-to. I just ordered my gauge and cup from Summit, and will be doing the install, along with VGS, as soon as it gets here!
A wiring question: doesn't the wire for the dash lights also go into the tach? Wouldn't that be the easiest place to tap into it? I haven't taken mine apart yet, so I don't know.

 

I just got my boost & oil pressure gauges also, cups are on the way. I'll be looking into trying the tach wire also. I've read somewhere on one of these gauge threads where someone tried it but I don't remember how it turned out.

I'm also thinking of tapping into the MAP line where it attaches at the end of the intake also. i'm pretty sure this is the same line shown at the top of this thread, also used for the VGS mod, please correct me if I'm wrong. If this works I think I can get to it w/o removing the IC, or cutting the line. If I can't reach it I'll try to persuade my son to reach in there.




chirp... 3rd gear scratch...

 

Thanks!

I would think it is possible to get that dash light wire fro behind the tach as well... Let me know if you find that wire from the tach and I will update my "how-to" according! Please PM me that info!

Have fun installing it and PM me if you have any questions!

 

Umm.....good luck with that. It isn't all that difficult to remove the IC so don't be hesitent to do it. Good Luck!

 

It is possible to get the wire from the tacho, same colour wire too.

 

it's done... plumbed anyway, w/o removing the IC, or cutting the line. The cups should be in today.

 

OK, I tried this install today and I'm having some real clearance problems. The brass fitting on the gauge sticks out so far that I keep breaking the nylon vac line as I move things around. Also, in order to get the cup far enough away from the dash for clearance, the ring has nothing to grab onto. Is it possible to move the tach further away from the dash? What am I doing wrong?

I finally gave up and yanked everything back out. (after much swearing).

 

hi the results is nice but i can't undersand what is the "paper punch", u cut the top of the red condom and then?
sorry
thanks

Andrea

 

Mine is not perfect in this regard either, but I guess the way I installed it (a bit different from others, if you read the earlier posts) there is a millimeter or two more clearance, because mine just fits. Somebody on this thread shows a 90 deg fitting for the hose (female NPT - comp hose fitting), which would fix the problem, but I searched high and low, and couldn't find one of those anywhere. A 45 deg "street" fitting would probably be ideal, but good luck finding that! If you do, let me know!

 

For anyone having trouble with the vac/boost hoses coming off, I used small Zipties to secure the ends. 3 years on my Mazda with no issues. There are also "universal" tees available that can be cut to size and act as adaptors, they're like $2 at auto parts stores, sold as vacuum line tees (ask the old guy). This is on my list of mods for the Mini, great bling factor and a bit of a fuel economy minder as well.

 

I ended up scrapping the cups, I couldn't get them mounted like I wanted either. I went a route similar to JCWGurl's in post #145 of this thread. I painted & mounted them with a peice of 1/8"x3/4" Al I picked up at HD for under $6. These are AM 2-1/16" Mech. boost w/90 Deg. fitting and an Elec. oil pressure. Sorry for the poor pic quality. The wheel will tilt all the way up but is slightly less than that in these pics.

 

after a long job...

 

stock S 163hp
max boost 10 psi
max vacum 26 in.hg

 

I tried the amber led kit but it was not bright enough, then tried an orange bulb but it was too yellow, finally settled on a red bulb which is somewhat in between the amber & red in the tach... I don't mind the slightly different look of the lighting... keep in mind that this is a 1 second exposure night shot...

 

Well....it took this old man a while to get the boost guage on but its on...sort of.

I mounted the gauge on top of the dash using the summit standard bracket and cup by using a longer screw in the heater outlet grill.. ( second from the left. The pressure line and wiring go straignt forward to the space at the bottom of the windshield, around the left end of the dash and through the left end panel under the dash. The pressure line goes through the little rubber boot so well documented by darkmini ( thanks darkmini without your how-to I probably would not have done this) The only thing I haven't finished is the lighting as I am getting to old to be laying under the dash. My "S" was born on Oct 18 2006 and I think they have changed the vac line to the fuel regulator as it is plastic but that was a minor item and yes the other end of that line is on the intake end of the SC. I will get a photo ASAP to post as I think this setup looks great and the issue of seeing the gauge is no issue at all.