Well, I installed the 3 gauge pillar with Autometer Cobalt series. They look sweet for sure. I have the EGT gauge, AFR gauge and the Boost gauge.

I hooked up the Boost Gauge to the MAF sensor vacum line underneath.

The AFR I was going to hook into the S pipe 02 sensor (would this give me an accurate reading?) I also presume I need to remove the antifouler mod? WOuld it be better to install another dedicated sensor?

The EGT sensor I was going to tap into the manifold, but was told I could go into the down pipe after the turbo. Since there is no intercooler, it should be pretty accurate?

Anything wrong with this setup and what should the meters read for good conditions.

For example, the EGT (what is the normal temp range...1200 deg?)

Boost gauge? With turbo and without turbo - sitting at idle, etc.

AFR will jump all around for the most part as the ECU compensates?

Oh, how I long for the old days

 

What about oil temp/pressure? That would be equally as useful. Especially since the s-pipe is right next to the oil pan.

 

Yea, I agree....but I'm running out of gauge space I need another pod

 

unless your AFR gauge is wideband... it will bounce back and forth from lean to rich often

as for the boost, i should be instaling mine tomorrow (i hope), and i will let you know what the vacuum runs at idle (i will only be reading vacuum till i get my S/C... so ill have fun watching the needle only go down... lol)

and since we both have autometer gauges ( i have the Carbon Fiber series) our readings should be about the same.

and sciondad, if you ever do wanna get an oil pressure... i have a CF mechanical autometer gauge that im selling... i decided to go with an electrical oil pressure gauge over mechanical.

 

1.Get rid of the AFR guage cause it tells you absolutely nothing unless it's wideband (which it's not)

2.Install oil pressure sensor.

3. If you tap into the downpipe for EGT's, consider that your actual EGT's are 100-200 degrees hotter than the guage shows.

 

If the boost gauges reads vac too, you should be a little less than -20 on the gauge. I idle at around -17 I believe, but I haven't really paid attention too much. Full throttle with no turbo spooled will obviously read at 0psi.

EGT... There's a few options. Placing it on the manifold is usually most common, because it's so easy to do. But If you can get it on the collector it'll be a good average of wha tht engine is doing, rather then reading off 1 or two cylinders. You can place it right after the turbo on the downpipe if you want too. Placing the probe in different spots will determine your relative temperatures. I doubt anyone knows true tolerances of our engine and what temp is "destructive", but almost all DSMs run about 1550-1600 at WOT. If you can keep it below 1500 at WOT with your default boost setting you should be ok. Again, it's all speculation because no one knows what temps show sign of destruction on our motors.

The AFR... If you get it to light up at all then props to you. It's almost impossible to get an accurate reading with a standard A/F gauge. It does match your set however, so tapping of the second one may work. If it bounces around (only after the car warms up) then it's hooked up properly, just don't expect to get valid info from that gauge.

I hope that helps. Good luck and post up if you have more q's.

 

Thanks guys. I'm a little disappointed in the AFR gauge tho.

 

do not use autometer mechanical oil gauges... they have porcelain that can crack and cause fires... my friend had that happen on his. not very fun.

but yeah AFR is only useful when its wideband (i'd recommend Zeitronix Zt-2 Wideband AFR Meter)

 

Thanks guys...one question tho,

Would oil temp be better than oil pressure?

And while I'm at it...is 5w30 Mobile Synthetic still good to use with the turbo and all the added heat?

 

im sure it could matty, the reason i decided to get rid of mechanical, and go electrical is because i didnt want oil to run into my car (the gauge), and if i had a leak for oil to run everywhere.

 

been there in the old days

 

i think oil pressure is more important, but they go hand in hand with each other. i have boost/vac, oil pressure, and volt (cause of my system; once installed).

eventually im going to install 2 more gauges (oil temp and fuel pressure) in a custom pods

but over all, i would go with pressure, then temp

 

Any Mobile oil would be good to use. The heavier weight is nice too for the added heat. I like the oil psi gauge more than the oil temp, because god forbid your oil feed line to the turbo should leak or break... Now your leaking oil, and your turbo isn't being properly cooled/lubricated, which could lead to engine/turbo failure.

 

10w30 full synthetic mobile 1 with 1 quart replaced with lucas oil stabilizer


as far as which oil gauge, both LOL

honestly you're more likely to have to watch temperature than pressure so I'd choose oil temp

 

i'm sure sciondad appreciates you trying to unload that mess on him LOL

drop that ho' on ebay

 

 

Im running AEM wideband 02 sensor, oil temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, boost, water temp and tranny temp(auto), and a mechanical oil pressure gauge w/ a oil pressure restrictor under the hood to the turbo, to help keep the oil pressure to the turbo restricted to keep the seals from blowing.

 

Where exactly do you have all these gauges mounted?

 

I have my oil press, oil temp, fuel press and boost on a 4 pod autometer right now and then the tranny, water and wideband are the next ones to go in this week( I know Munch ive been slacking on these 3 gauges lol ).

 

Sweet...I'll have to check out the Autometer pods to see if I can find a 2 gauge pods that fits somewhere in the TC.