legacycentral bbs

I did some searching, and found that there's a lot of different opinions on what's better electric vs. mechanical, and different brands...blah blah blah. So I'd like any feedback from those of you that have boost gauges, how did they install, did they come with a bracket, does the lighting match the interior, where did you place it, how do you like it, etc.

TIA

I run the Autometer Phantom series boost gauge. 30-0-30 vac/boost. I love mine. Very accurate and it has a green bulb condom that matches the dash lights perfectly. It comes with a bracket thingy but I recommend the Autometer gauge cup. I mounted mine on the steering wheel column and I really like it there.




with the new wheel.

I found that 75% of people use mechanical Autometers. There are a billion autometers to choose from, but they all the same thing functionally, you just have to choose the colors, size, and range. Autometer is cheap, omnipresent, and everyone seems pretty satisfied.

I have an autometer Z series (boost and EGT/pyrometer). That is the least conspicuous line - black on black. I like it. No complaints. I even checked the accuracy against the ECU pressure sensor readings and it was very close.

I mounted mine to the A-pillar.



The only thing I would say, is that if you are ever thinking about getting a wideband, then don't bother with a boost or EGT gauge. Instead, get a Zeitronix brand wideband (best bang for the buck). It will drive, display, and log Boost and EGT in addition to AFR if you buy compatible sensors.... which obviously a mechanical boost gauge is not. That would be a wonderful setup to be able to log all those things at once... wish I had known that before I started.

I have an spw mounted on the a-pillar, most of the time its blue which matches my dash lights, and when I get into the canyon where i live, i turn it to red so i can see better.

I run an Autometer Sport Comp mechanical gauge mounted to the a-pillar.

Thanks guys.

I really would like something small and conspicuous

Those of you that have them mounted on the a-pillar, is it mounted by just a bracket, or do you have a pod? Any pictures?

Sam, I will probably need a wideband eventually.....but I'd like some way to read boost until then. Does the zeitronix need an additional sensor to read boost?

I got a mechanical GReddy 52mm gauge. Its pretty nice, and its pretty much invisible from outside.

Autometer 2601 Z Series gauge. Black bezel, black face- very readable under most conditions, but does not stand out too much. I didn't want a white face, nor did I want a chrome bezel. It has the best range for my application: 30 inches vacuum, 20 psi boost. I mounted it in an Autometer 2204 pod on the steering column. I'm very happy with it. It reads reasonably close to the values shown by vrg's scan tool. Mine did not come with a green condom, so I used a green Sharpie to color a #168 bulb on the recommendation of someone over on NASIOC. It looks pretty good. I'm happy with it and would recommend this solution to anyone. I believe I have a total of about $85 in the project: gauge on ebay, shipping, mounting pod from local hot rod shop, miscellaneous parts and fittings, etc.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetai ... 243&sid=12

Do the gauges mounted on the steering column obstruct the gauge cluster too much?

Steve, thanks for the link to the z-series

Legacy777 wrote:Do the gauges mounted on the steering column obstruct the gauge cluster too much?

Steve, thanks for the link to the z-series

I centered my boost gauge to appear in the center of my tach. I'm 6'4", I adjust my seat fully rearward, and the seat back is fairly vertical. I am able to read the tach behind the boost gauge with no problem. A shorter person might not be able to align things as effectively, but I don't really know. Although the quality is not very good, you can see a photo of my gauge installation on the following page:

http://homepage.mac.com/ultra.sonic/aut ... lbum4.html

That doesn't look too bad.

I'm going to see if I can find a local shop that sells autometer so I can check out a couple of the gauges and stuff.

btw....when was that boost gauge pic taken.....your car hardly has any miles on it

Legacy777 wrote:btw....when was that boost gauge pic taken.....your car hardly has any miles on it ;)

Boost gauge was installed on April 23 of 2004 at 86,050 miles. That was 23,940 miles ago.

that's still not a lot of miles though

Looked at a few different other models. This is the easiest way I can look at all of them at once...hehe









I'd like to see them in person because the pics for the z series looks a lot better in your pic compared to theirs.

Legacy777 wrote:I'd like to see them in person because the pics for the z series looks a lot better in your pic compared to theirs.

The quality of image on their Z Series is worse than the other ones. It looks grainy or of lower resolution. It has reasonable fit and finish when you actually look at the real thing. As far as I remember, the Z Series is the cheapest one they make. Of course all of them use the same mechanism, they just have a different cosmetic package and/or alternative illumination. I like the look of some of the other ones, but the Z Series has the least distracting features. It is just the most practical one, from my point of view. I hate having distracting elements, especially when driving at night. A chrome bezel, or a white face that is brighter than the other gauges just seems wrong to me.

That being said, the steering column mount location will have a reflection of the gauge dial on the windshield. I don't think there is any way around it. It's not too bad, but I bet the A pillar mount does not reflect like that. I think you could mount it with double sided tape just for a day or two to see how you like the position, before you drill holes to permanently mount it.

I got to thinking about night driving, and I don't want the white gauges because it'll be a lot brighter then everything else.

So it's down to these three






I just don't know if that last one has a chrome bezel or brushed aluminum look. I don't really want chrome.

Imho, I think you should mount the gauge to the A-Pillar or into the dash. The position on the steering wheel makes the cluster cluttered up looking.

The best thing about having the boost gauge on the steering wheel column is that you only have to look in one spot to monitor your gauges.

Mine doesn't block my view of my speedometer at all. I just can't see the odometer without looking over or around the gauge. I have an unobstructed view of the tac though and when you're really pushing the car, that's a lot more important then the speedometer imo.

Josh- The white face isn't annoying bright at all. Plus, if you wire into a power source that works with the dimmer, you can dim it at night.

Damn....decisions, decisions.

I think I've ruled out the carbon fiber one.

Matt, do you have any night time pictures of the gauge? If not, would you mind snapping one?

Thanks

I don't, I will.

Hey Josh, I got one of the autometer guages. I got the darker faced one so it would match my gauges. I placed it on the rpm side so that I wouldn't block my odometer and trip odometer. I like it where it is at. It doesn't obstruct anything on the rpm gauge. I also suggest the cup, it makes it look a bit better. The dual gauge pod from a crx, I belive 87-01 or something like that, works pretty well. Brat4x4 has one of those.

There is a bit of a reflection on the windshield at night from the boost gauge, but it isnt' bad.

I'm finding my gauge to be really accurate as well. I tested it and compared it to the scan tool and they were dead on with each other. I connected my line into the line that goes into the intake manifold; I routed it it back over the engine, and down into one of the rubber gromets in the firewall. From there I came up between the dash and the steering column into the boost gauge.

I like that it is black. The needle is the only thing that doesn't really match. The yellowish-orange numbers in the vacuum section match the dash needles pretty well.

edited link

Does the cup come with it, or is it some additional accessory that needs to be purchased?

I'm leaning towards the z-series, but I'd like to see the pics Matt gets. Any chance you could take some pics of the z-series (your gauge) at night with the illumination on?

Thanks

Here's a crappy pic of mine during the day:



I can get a beetter shot if you need it, but that is just what I happened to have on my computer.

The cup is something you need to get separately. I think my setup was only about $80 shipped from summit.

IronMonkeyL255 wrote:Here's a crappy pic of mine during the day:



I can get a beetter shot if you need it, but that is just what I happened to have on my computer.

The cup is something you need to get separately. I think my setup was only about $80 shipped from summit.

Is yours the sport comp one? How thick is the silver ring? Could you take a side profile pic when you get a chance?

Thanks