Boost guage accuracy

[JAMZ]

Im guessing the gauge is like anything..you pay for what you get.


Will have the matching oil press soon

there only £20-25 each

handy when you want increasements of 1psi boost

anyway.. this guage tells me that before im hitting 0 im not using boost...my arse tells me different..

So on that note how do i know that im only running 7psi of Boost

What are the junkies using and how do they conpare to what MS etc is telling you..

A gauge that isnt accurate could lead to all sorts of probs

[fuzzy]

the garage that set mine up with their equipment told me that my guage was reading slightly under what it actually was.did you set up your own?i use cai electrical guages that range from about £25-£40.

[JAMZ]

When you say set mine up..how do you mean?

Turbo was fitted,gauge was plumbed in to a vacume using the plastic pipe included... all works ok and needle sits on the 0 when not powered up...didnt know there was anything more to do?

EDIT... this is a mechanical one not electrical so thats prob what yer on about?

[fuzzy]

how was the boost pressure set? the threaded actuator rod is adjusted accordingly.it would be a bit hit and miss just setting it up at anything,it might overboost then melt your pistons .the garage had a different guage that they fitted under the bonnet while they were setting it up.i dont know the ins and out of it personally as im a dumb joiner

[JAMZ]

Basically i got a feeling that the CaB's running more than 7psi.. cuz as a ball park figure i would say that would put me on 200-210Bhp... i have drove alot of cars and alot of performance cars which i have also owned...

my car isnt sitting on just 200BHP.. not in a million yrs, i was on 175bhp stock before i went FI

And if what im feeling is a 25-35BHP increase then im a Chinaman

Dont get me wrong..i aint bothered,i got no probs either... just curious

Guess MS with boost controll will be how i would gauge it once i have that installed?

[JAMZ]

how was the boost pressure set? the threaded actuator rod is adjusted accordingly.it would be a bit hit and miss just setting it up at anything,it might overboost then melt your pistons .the garage had a different guage that they fitted under the bonnet while they were setting it up.i dont know the ins and out of it personally as im a dumb joiner

That would be a question hopefully Jon_bmw will answer if he reads this as it wasnt touched since being taken from his E30...so all that is his Domain

i know what yer mean...im a dumb carpenter/cabbie/and comp tech LOL.. i havent got much Mech experience but im learning..slowly

[RichIS]

jamz those are same ones that my bro's got in his Rs500 and the place that set it up checked it against there gauge and it was within 2 psi of theres but with stuff like this then 1s built on a monday are better than the ones built on a friday if you know what i mean

[stonesie]

the only way to be 100% is to find a local calibration company and get them to check and adjust it if needed

[e30_Turbo]

Jamz,

Where does the feed for the gauge originate?

Also mechanical gauges aren't very accurate, you need a electronic one for accuracy.

I can recommend the DEFI range but you won't like the price, mine was a shade over £200 as you need to buy the controller box also. Additional are about £50-£70 and they do all types, really cool toys.

You will have a MAP sensor on your ( soon I hope ) MS and that'll be spot on, easy to see on datalogs etc. Megaview isn't too expensive and you an have a flash dash mounted digital display in you wanted.

Also to note that the "adjustment" on the std actuators is small, for more boost you really want to upgrade to a higher rated one, like a cossie -31.

HTH, Mark

[JAMZ]

thks for the advice...another reason why i look forward to the MS setup..then il be sure

[fowler]

on mechanical guages ther is an error of up to nearly 20% on shit gauges and about 10% on reasonable one thats why it is best go electrical but ou pay the price as mark said i am going to have
4 guages oil presure oil temp and water temp and the all important BOOST GUAGE NOT SURE OF WHAT ONES TO GET YET BUT I HAVE SOME IDEAS.
Also gonna make a center console to hold all these guages so if any one is interested let me know !!

[JAMZ]

Jon_bmw made the one i got and it does the job..pix will be up soon enough though its for 2 dials..

not that hard m8 to do yerself... not to sure on 4 gauges there...3 tops i would say

As far as the accuracy thing goes..i can live with it till the MS gets sorted

[fowler]

true i was gonna make for my dvd player as well only having 3 guages in the centre console and the other one on the drivers A pillar so its in sight at all times