I installed it inline with the boost pressure line inside the cab after it comes through the firewall. It basically eliminates any vacuum pressure fluctuations you can have from the manifold.
These don't plug into the obd port. There's an electric sending unit that tees into the same manifold port - instead of having to run tubing to the gauge, you run a wire from the sending unit to the gauge. It simplifies the install a bit, and also gets rid of the needle fluctuation issue, and adds nice features like peak boost and alerts if you over boost for some reason.
Well, I got my gauge in (still tweaking the dash tray mount, so will post pics later) and everything seems fine, but I am experiencing vacuum fluttering using a ~$75 Autometer gauge. I may snag a restriction fitting at some point, but will probably leave this as is for a bit.
Nice job... I haven't heard any noises with my restrictor. How loud is yours?Cleaned up my dash tray install yesterday. Rerouted the tube a bit to hide it and drilled out a new hole in a spare tray I ordered from Levittown. Overall pretty happy with the look of it and I retained a decent amount of tray space with the new placement.
I also installed the pressure restrictor that ISUACE recommended (visible in the 3rd image, sorry for quality). I still get slight needle vibrations at times, but it is better. The noise on the other hand, I did not expect. This thing sounds like there is a BOV down by my brake pedal when the turbo is spooling. I might relocate it to the engine bay if it gets annoying.
Seriously? Mine makes a very loud hissing with any boost, so basically any time you are accelerating on the freeway I hear a quite loud hiss. I tried to record it with my phone, but didn't get great results. I am thinking about just removing it and dealing with the needle vibrations. Curious as to why yours does not make noise. You said you installed it within the cab, right?
Do you happen to know the PID used monitor the boost pressure? Thank you
Digital boost reading from OBD...20-21psi max, stock tune..I don't know how many folks have taken the time to install a boost gauge on their Ranger. Those who have, I'd like some comments from.
I'm seeing max boost at about 22 psi (I have the Ford Performance tune), but typically at lower ambient temperatures—say between 50° to about 75° or so. My boost drops about 2 psi as the RPM approaches redline, which I expect is normal. It also goes down at higher ambients, which is also normal.
I've read that the normal boost range is 17 to 18 pounds, but I didn't install my gauge until after the software upgrade.
By the way, this is the kit I used: (https://cp-e.com/shop/product/ford-ecoboost-2-3l-turbo-maptap/)
As I said before, it is difficult to get the connections made due to the location of the "nipple" on the intake manifold. That part took me about 10 minutes, and about 3 minor cuts! The hard part was fishing the tubing down through the heater ducting. I had to take out the top-of-dash tray, after which it went the first time. I mounted my gauge in the tray.
If you use nylon 1/4" OD tubing, and a "PLASTIC" wire fish tape (available from Home Disappointment), fish the tubing above and to the left the hood release cable as seen from the inside of the cabin. With a little effort, you can then pull the tubing by simply pushing it over the ferrel on the fish tape, and pull from the engine side. Took me about 20 minutes total.
Here are the best photos I can take. Space is at a premium, and without some sort of "snorkel" camera, this is about as good as it gets.
The blue nylon tube is the pressure line.
There are two connections to the intake manifold. The front one (in this case) is the MAP connection. The other is much too big for the "kit".
The third photo is shows the "kit" connections.
From here, you're sort of on your own. That said, it isn't rocket science.
