Gauges for turbo
#1
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Topeka, KS
Posts: 768
Gauges for turbo
so i'm getting a turbo kit and going to buy a glow shift gauges 3gauge pillar pod...the kit i bought comes with the boost gauge and i was thinking air/fuel would be another essential gauge to get but what about the third gauge? is there another gauge that is essential or does it not matter as long as i have the other 2...if so then i might do a radar detector gauge made by whistler
#5
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Topeka, KS
Posts: 768
Originally Posted by AcidDrop
dude glowshift doesn't make wideband gauges so you will need to get one like the AEM UEGO gauge, as for the other gauge i'd get oil pressure.
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/tinte...tio-gauge.aspx or i digital
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/Tinte...uel-Gauge.aspx
#10
For neccessary, what you need are gauges that tell you the turbo is still operating safely. As stated earlier, the critical ones are AF/R, boost and oil pressure. If they indicate a problem, you can hopefully shut down or at least let off the throttle before doing any permanent damage. They are needed because:
AF/R - if the AF/R goes too high, you'll be running too lean and cause detonation in the cylinder, damaging pistons. Also, the AF/R can be used for tuning.
Boost - if the wastegate fails, an overboost condition can occur, again either causing the engine to go too lean or creating too much cylinder pressure, leading to a blown head gasket, or possibly damaged pistons or rods.
Oil pressure - if oil pressure spikes, the oil line can be blocked, restricting oil flow to the turbo. Less oil means less lubrication and more heat build-up. Also, higher pressure could blow out oil seals in the turbo, damaging it. Low pressure means you have an oil leak, which is very bad if it gets on the hot exhaust manifold.
If you want to go gauge happy, there are others you can add. On the xB, we have no engine temp sensor, so I will be adding one as a fourth guage. Transmission temp can also be useful if you AutoX, do time attack or tow, basically anything strssing the transmission for long periods. Oil temp is another nice to have but not need to have.
You can go with Gloshift for the AF/R., but with UEGO's going for $20 more on eBay, why not spend the extra and get a known reliable product? I've had a glowshift boost and volt gauge, the volt gauge only lasted 6 months. The boost was not completely accurate, reading up to 10 psi on a Greddy supercharger that should go to 8 only.
Anyone know who to go to for the other gauges? I don't need digital or datalogging. mechanical is fine, but I would want a backlight.
AF/R - if the AF/R goes too high, you'll be running too lean and cause detonation in the cylinder, damaging pistons. Also, the AF/R can be used for tuning.
Boost - if the wastegate fails, an overboost condition can occur, again either causing the engine to go too lean or creating too much cylinder pressure, leading to a blown head gasket, or possibly damaged pistons or rods.
Oil pressure - if oil pressure spikes, the oil line can be blocked, restricting oil flow to the turbo. Less oil means less lubrication and more heat build-up. Also, higher pressure could blow out oil seals in the turbo, damaging it. Low pressure means you have an oil leak, which is very bad if it gets on the hot exhaust manifold.
If you want to go gauge happy, there are others you can add. On the xB, we have no engine temp sensor, so I will be adding one as a fourth guage. Transmission temp can also be useful if you AutoX, do time attack or tow, basically anything strssing the transmission for long periods. Oil temp is another nice to have but not need to have.
You can go with Gloshift for the AF/R., but with UEGO's going for $20 more on eBay, why not spend the extra and get a known reliable product? I've had a glowshift boost and volt gauge, the volt gauge only lasted 6 months. The boost was not completely accurate, reading up to 10 psi on a Greddy supercharger that should go to 8 only.
Anyone know who to go to for the other gauges? I don't need digital or datalogging. mechanical is fine, but I would want a backlight.
#14
Originally Posted by topekatc
Originally Posted by AcidDrop
dude glowshift doesn't make wideband gauges so you will need to get one like the AEM UEGO gauge, as for the other gauge i'd get oil pressure.
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/tinte...tio-gauge.aspx or i digital
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/Tinte...uel-Gauge.aspx
#15
Originally Posted by vettereddie
So you've had good luck with Autometer? I've heard mixed reviews, but couldn't tell if it was just hatin from brand snobs.
#16
Senior Member
SL Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Topeka, KS
Posts: 768
whats the difference in narrow and wideband...also who do you recommend for gauges and i should still be able to use the glowshift piller pod correct? there piller pods are about half that of all the others i've seen and i don't see where that would make a big difference
#17
I say your 3rd gauge should be EGT or Oil pressure gauge, it depends on you which one you prioritize.. EGT gauge can tell you how good your tune is, that at times the afr gauge cant tell.. oil pressure tells you if you have some oil leaks or if some reason it goes way above the usual pressure..
#18
Originally Posted by topekatc
whats the difference in narrow and wideband...also who do you recommend for gauges and i should still be able to use the glowshift piller pod correct? there piller pods are about half that of all the others i've seen and i don't see where that would make a big difference