Question for those who have installed a boost gauge

[Polar Bear]

What is that gauge monitor you're running?

That’s the ProCal unit from Ford Performance.

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[OWSportninja]

Anyone have a link for this "mustang" kit boost gauge? Only thing that came up on Google was a dual in dash kit that had oil pressure as well.

 

[Apples]

This is the kit you want: https://cp-e.com/shop/product/ford-ecoboost-2-3l-turbo-maptap/

You buy whatever boost gauge you wish to use. But... DON'T buy cheap! The cheap gauges will literally shake themselves to death. Decent gauges have a small orifice to restrict the flow to keep this from happening. As I have stated before, it is a 4 cylinder whose intake pulses are not nearly as smooth as a V8 or V6.

 

[OWSportninja]

This is the kit you want: https://cp-e.com/shop/product/ford-ecoboost-2-3l-turbo-maptap/

You buy whatever boost gauge you wish to use. But... DON'T buy cheap! The cheap gauges will literally shake themselves to death. Decent gauges have a small orifice to restrict the flow to keep this from happening. As I have stated before, it is a 4 cylinder whose intake pulses are not nearly as smooth as a V8 or V6.

Thanks for the link! Would the turbo smart TS-0720-1001 not work for our Rangers? Looks much simpler and less parts than this specific map tap.https://www.turbosmart.com/product/bra-mazda-bt50-ford-ranger-black/

 

[slowmachine]

Maybe a dumb question, but what is the advantage of these mechanical gauges over the boost data available through the OBD II port? Is there some engine mod that requires a separate boost gauge?

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

turbo smart has a reference adapter 2.3 / 2.7 Ecos

https://www.turbosmart.com/product/bra-ford-2-3-2-7-ecoboost-black/

 

[Apples]

I may get a few push offs with the following statement, but comparing both readouts, the mechanical gauge is more instantaneous in its reading. This assumes you're using the Ford Performance box, and not someone else's. However, since the reading comes from the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor, then through the software to finally get to you, I'm not surprised if all of the OBD units readouts lag a bit.

I can't speak for you, but I don't like things dangling from the dash. Yes, the OBD readout gives you a lot of data you can't see otherwise. However, in the day to day driving scenario, what you see on the box, doesn't add much of anything.

 

[Apples]

Jay, I'm not familiar with the adapter you mention. Without getting one, and seeing how it works, I'd be a bit leery, and here's why.

If nothing else, all of the requisite fittings are not included. Those add to the cost obviously. And, considering the fitting costs more than the kit, I suspect I'd still get the kit as the necessary fittings are included.

I could probably carry this on for some time, but I will add a bit more info, and call it quits.

If you know how to read the boost gauge, they can tell you all sorts of things, you didn't have a clue was going on. If I haven't missed any, this is the seventh turbo vehicle I have owned. You sort of get used to paying mild attention to the amount of boost, and even the amount of vacuum. And then one day, you notice something odd in the read boost and/or vacuum. In one case, it told me the pressure bypass wasn't closing properly. In another, it was that the turbo was about to go south, but I didn't pay enough attention. Thankfully, it was on the exhaust side, so the engine didn't swallow the results.

Your results may be different.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

Jay, I'm not familiar with the adapter you mention. Without getting one, and seeing how it works, I'd be a bit leery, and here's why.

If nothing else, all of the requisite fittings are not included. Those add to the cost obviously. And, considering the fitting costs more than the kit, I suspect I'd still get the kit as the necessary fittings are included.

I could probably carry this on for some time, but I will add a bit more info, and call it quits.

If you know how to read the boost gauge, they can tell you all sorts of things, you didn't have a clue was going on. If I haven't missed any, this is the seventh turbo vehicle I have owned. You sort of get used to paying mild attention to the amount of boost, and even the amount of vacuum. And then one day, you notice something odd in the read boost and/or vacuum. In one case, it told me the pressure bypass wasn't closing properly. In another, it was that the turbo was about to go south, but I didn't pay enough attention. Thankfully, it was on the exhaust side, so the engine didn't swallow the results.

Your results may be different.

Yeah i saw the adapter and was trying to figure out how the F it worked so I scrolled down on the page and at the bottom the install PDF was available to download then after viewing it it made more sense , doesn't look like it would work very well with our setup looks like space is a premium

 

[txquailguy]

I'm curious about the boost pressures, both tuned and untuned, folks are seeing?

I have the Ford tune, and under ideal conditions, with the traction control off (yes it makes a difference), and depending on the gear, the max boost is just over 20 psi.

For those who want to know, the after-market, Ford Mustang boost gauge kit works perfectly. I described that on a different post. The photo shows where I mounted the gauge. By the way, I had it lighted when I first installed it, but discovered it is a distraction when driving at night.

Why the photo got twisted, I have no idea.

I run an electronic boost gauge in Torque Pro. I run the Livernois high performance, hard shift tune as my daily driver(hottest tune for regular fuel). If I'm not mistaken, I have pulled pretty close to 24 psi if not a tiny bit more. I will make a point to drop a rock and see what max boost pressure I can make and I'll take a pic of the gauge too.

 

[Apples]

The top of the trapezoid (black in the photo)is 23 pounds. Occasionally, I see the needle almost disappear below it, but it doesn't stay there long.

 

[OWSportninja]

I just ordered a Autometer Cobalt series boost gauge and pod. Just need to figure out which style adapter I want to use now and then figure out the routing and mounting and all that. Miss having a boost gauge like the Focus ST came with standard.

 

[txquailguy]

This is a quick picture of my setup. I installed the tablet with a very strong, adjustable magnetic mount in the dash tray. I have yet to drill a hole and run the power behind the dash. I'm just using one of the 12v outlets w/usb. So this picture is obviously at idle. Notice the max boost red tag on the boost/vacuum gauge is a 24 psi.....that was an 80% +/- throttle drop at lunch today. This guy in a Chevy HHR was harassing me....lol Didn't really take much to move on by him, but I wanted to get the boost up to see where I'm at. I really haven't paid much attention to that. More the Trans and Coolant Temp when I'm out playing with the local college kids....
BTW...I have a "Tuned by Livernois Motorsports" sticker on my back window. That tends to get me a little attention. Usually folks that think I'm funny/ridiculous....lol. Till the hammer drops! I realize our tuned and modded Rangers are not the fastest thing on the street....but.....I can open some eyes very quickly and easily get the drop on a bunch of different vehicles with the low end torque of that Livernois tune...Out through the first 3 gears....and that 3rd gear rear end bump that is just so much fun!!!
I'm curious to do a full throttle hit to see how much boost she can push through that little turbo we have.....she's a beast!

 

[Apples]

Interesting to see the vacuum reading. The average altitude here in Roswell, NM is 3,500. Once the engine is warmed up and at idle, the vacuum is right at 20 in/hg. Ig gets a bit lower once it warms up and the air is on. In my experience, this is higher than any turbo vehicle I've owned. Could be because the truck only has 4,500 miles on the OD.

 

[txquailguy]

Interesting to see the vacuum reading. The average altitude here in Roswell, NM is 3,500. Once the engine is warmed up and at idle, the vacuum is right at 20 in/hg. Ig gets a bit lower once it warms up and the air is on. In my experience, this is higher than any turbo vehicle I've owned. Could be because the truck only has 4,500 miles on the OD.

I couldn't tell you from any experience I have. Besides my 6.7 SuperDuty I've never had a turbo to watch the boost measurements on. I will tell you I'm right at 5,280 in elevation and I've got just a smidge under 40K on my truck. She is obviously tuned from my post and I tend to run her pretty hard daily. I have relaxed a little with the throttle thanks to our new illustrious leader and his assault on gas prices. 91 octane at Costco has gone from $2.38/gal the last week of the previous administration to $2.85/gal in a month
Sadly, when it hits $3.00/gal, I'm going to 87 octane and flashing to the Livernois 87-89 octane high performance tune.
Anything above $3.50/gal, I'm parking her during the week and commuting with Mrs. Quail Guy in the Kona.
I have a 106 mile round trip daily commute and I can't afford the current leadership in this Country......

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