G'day all

I installed my boost/vacuum and oil pressure gauges (Autometer Ultra lights) a couple of months ago and have found watching them really interesting especially from the point of view of being able to see what the electronic throttle butterfly is doing which gives some indication of how the engine management system is set up and why the cruise control is so bad.


One question I have though is do you reckon the boost/vacuum gauge would also give you an indication of the condition of the air filter? My car has about 55,000 Km (just over 34,000 miles) and as far as I know the air filter has not yet been replaced (I've only had 2 services). I only manage to get a maximum of about 9 psi boost at redline yet I've from what I read on here people seem to be getting more like 11 to 12 psi at redline. The car runs fine, I've double checked for leaks in the vacuum line and I manage to get about 20 psi of vacuum so that would seem to rule out a leak. Any thoughts?

The photo with the lights on doesn't do the lighting of the gauges justice. The gauge lights are whiter in appearance and more evenly spread over the face of the gauge.

 

I smile every time I see an Aussie MINI gauge setup.

A dirty air filter can indeed cause a reduction in boost, as it restricts the airflow entering the supercharger. You wont notice an increase in vacuum though.

Other factors contributing to low boost pressure in MINIs can be loose/leaking intercooler boots, slipping belts and defective or misadjusted supercharger bypass valves. The weather plays a part too, low barometric pressure and hot, humid days can reduce the ultimate boost seen.

You gauges look great! Fair dinkum!

 

It's funny, a few Aussie's complain about having the speedo on the steering column (or the wrong way around) but I actually quite like it like that and plus it makes our minis unique (although you guys do have the side reflectors that we don't).

he he he, nice use of Aussie lingo - You don't hear that saying around here much I think because it congers up such cultural cringe now

 

I found it right (gray wire with a red tracer) where you did in your piccie. Had to cut some of that cloth tape out of the way to get it out. The cabin side is done almost, need a 90 degree fitting for back of gauge, plastic vacuum line wants to kink. Now to the under the bonnet stuff. Vacuum line connections, VGS mod., pull and checkout BPV, install my version OCC.

 

I'm trying to connect the boost gauge light to the cigarette lighter and I have no idea which line is positive and which one is ground. There are black and white lines from the gauge and I think black is negative...well I'm guessing. Does anybody done this before??

 

That will work, it really doesn't matter though because it's just the bulb element that needs power and a ground.

 

Thanks! I did it!

 

how were these connected?? i want to use the cig lighter to power the lights too. please help someone!

 

It's really simple just like Norm03s said, you can connect to any of those. One connect to the white plug and another to the black plug no stripe line.

 

hey i can use that answer as well... what cables do you use for on the cig lighter???


thanks
Carlos

 

How much boost is typically available after a JCW tuning upgrade? I get about 11 PSI with the stock S, but want the gauge with the appropriate range when the JCW kit is installed. 30vac-0-30psi (seems excessive) and 30-0-15 (seems barely enough) are the two Auto Meter Ultra-Lite choices I have. I want to match other existing Ultra-Lite gauges I have. The dealer optional gauge package, which I have installed now, displays in the 30-0-15 range.

 

Right around 15.

 

Greatbear,

I know it's a year later but folks are still using your information to get their interior lights under control. I followed your instructions and found a red wire with a gray tracer. I couldn't find the other so I tapped into this one. Well it's an always on 12V source. Needless to say my gray wire with red tracer was buried deep in the wire bundle. It took me the better part of an hour cutting away the bundling tape and sorting through the wires to get to it. I finally found it, tapped into it and now all is right with the world.

I just thought I would mention the red wire/gray tracer in case someone needs an always on 12V (low amps though, looks like a 18-20 AWG wire).

Anyway, thanks for the heads up on the right wire to tap, even though I didn't follow the directions correctly.

hogtrader

 

If you need any help, check my thread about the whole installation...

The link is in my signature! PM me if you need any help, or post it on my thread and I'll be glad to help you!!