I ordered my GReddy turbo and now have to buy the gauges and some sort of pod. I'm trying to go as cheap as possible for now but with stuff that will work. I also have a few questions so with that said here's what I'm looking for and at..

First what gauges should I run? I know a lot of people say Wideband, Boost, & Oil Pressure. Is the wideband band really needed? It's just that they seem to run $200+ and they all seem to have red lights and I want blue to match my gauges. I'm looking into getting GlowShift gauges cuz they're cheap and like the look... how are they? I also like the autometer and stewart warner. What about pods? I'd like to have my gauges hidden from other drivers site but until I find a good place I'm thinking the Triple Pillar pod. I see that GlowShift has one for $37, anyone have this, any thoughts? That's it for the gauges any input would be great and yes I searched for this stuff but need a more direct answer for my questions. Thanks.

 

wideband is absolutely needed on a turbo car

AEM Wideband
Boost
EGT
Oil Pressure

are usually the 4 gauges you would want. I believe Joe_Dezod has a stewart warner gauge PM him and find out for certain though...my memory could be bad on that one.

As for the gauges size themselves, that is your call 52mm or 60mm just make sure when you buy a pod it can house your gauges perfectly

Happy boosting

 

When it comes down to turbo charging and OEM Non-turbo car, you need to do it right. I can't stress this enough. Cheap gauges usually result in faulty information and may lead to problems down the road.

I wouldn't go cheaper than Autometer or Stewart Warner. If you stay with mechanical the prices will be lower as well. A wide-band gauge is expensive because it comes with the UEGO controller, and the o2 sensor itself. It's a complete package that gives you very accurate readings and that is a must to me when you're boosting a car. I think the boost and wide-band are the two most important gauges for most of us out there. If you just get those 2 gauges and hold off on the Oil PSI you still technically save money and you can apply the money properly. When you buy a boost gauge, buy a boost/vac gauge. The boost only gauges tend to stick after a while on sub 10psi cars (Autometer boost gauge, it's happened twice on a couple older cars my friends and I ran).

A gauge pod is a gauge pod. If it fits well, spend the money on the gauges themselves.

Good luck.

 

I thought we cannot tune the turbos if you arent running at WOT... so whats the point of knowing the AFR if you cant do anything about it, lol

 

Everyone makes peak boost at WOT. You need to tune for that kind of stress or say goodbye to your motor. When companies do dyno tuning, they stick a wideband gauge in the exhaust if there already isn't one. That's their primary tuning sensor. We will eventually be tuning the car for partial throttle once our new EMS is out. Until then you need to tune what you can. Also, we do not recommend using the street as your dyno. You usually floor it from 2k-redline in 3rd or 4th gear. There aren't many streets around that you can legally do that in from what I know

Basically what I'm saying is that even though it's essential for tuning, it's still nice to have as a warning indicator in case you're flooring it one day and it dips to a 14.x or leaner AFR. You'd know right away to back off instead of destroying your engine.

$300 gauge? $3000 motor? You decide.

 

Nice, great post Joe!! Thanks!!

 

No problem.

 

Thanks for the info BlkSandPrlTurbotC and Joe. I was wonder one thing, what size is the AEM wideband (52mm ect))? I was up on Dezod and doesn't say. Thanks!

 

Paul the AEM is 52mm and the ATI gauge pods for the tC are really nice looking, wish they made somthing like this for the xB. NAmotorsports sells them in the sponsored sales forum for $135 shipped, Dezod may even sell them for all I know(Joe or Paul??).

 

 

Thanks for the size info. I've seen those pods and like them but not crazy about putting holes in my dash. I think I'm going with the a-pillar triple pod from glowshift or creative compacts until I find a nice place to hide them from outsiders view. The a-pillar is cheaper to replace then the dash. Once I finish my turbo I'm starting my carputer so putting them in the radio hole is out of the question.

 

That's nice but I have three gauges I'm getting plus my boost controller will most likely go there.

 

I might get other gauges down the line - if i were you I would put the least used one down there so you can keep your eye on the road. i tend to look at it sometimes when im driving so I know whats going on w/ the engine & s/c

 

sweet i didnt have to post my pod pic, someone did it for me

 

I offer two styles. With the 3 gauge version you eliminate the door and have to be running a single din deck to make use of it. The cubby is a simple single gauge mount.


The triple gauge mount with din opening requires a little bit of installation experience such as drilling out the oem mount to relocate the deck, and securing the top section of the panel / dampening it with RTV adhesive.

The cubby mount is a simple 5 minute or less install. Take off the upper and lower console sections. Fit it into place, then put back on the upper and lower console sections. It is a very tight pressure fit that will never move, come out or make any noise.

Last, I offer a blank panel so you may mount whatever you like to it!

 

I'd love to have that but I need to put my touch screen there when I do my carputer.

 

Another question after looking at a bunch of gauges. What's the difference between an AEM wideband and just an Air/Fuel gauge and can you get away with just the A/F gauge?

 

Difference is accurancy, the Air/Fuel meter is less accurate than the whole Wideband setup.

 

wideband is going to give you the A/F to the .1 --- the regular A/F will show you a light of where it is so you could tell about where it is. If you are worried about price - check this post out:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...598&highlight=

I just found it earlier today. That gauge is less then $140 - I found it on www.gruppe-s.com for $125/shipped. Does anybody know where to get it for a better price?