Product Review and install: VDO Cockpit 0-30psi boost gauge

[Black Smokin' Diesel]

VDO Cockpit 0-30psi boost gauge


Last friday I picked up the VDO boost gauge I ordered from www.egauges.com (thank you UPS for the 20$ brokerage fee on my 50$ order :x ). I also ordered a tubing kit, blue LED and universal mounting cup.

The VDO gauge comes with practically nothing in the box, you get the gauge, mounting U-bracket with nuts and a white bulb & holder. That's it. It explains the very low price of $26. The tubing kit came with 6' of black nylon tubing, 3" of black rubber tubing, a universal "T", 4 zip-ties and the proper adapters for the gauge. The VUMAXX mounting cup comes with 5 interchangeable mounts, a small allen screw to secure the gauge and a worm clamp.

The mounting cup I got was gloss black and IMO looked like crap. I used some 240 grit sandpaper and smoothed the molding lines that were visible. Then I hit the thing with 400 grit and finished off with 800 wet sand. I painted the cup semi-flat black with duplicolor bumper paint, awesome. It looks 10 times better and has a similar grain found on many plastic parts in the interior

Installation is very straightforward, cut the boost line from the manifold to the LDA, slip in the "T" and slide the 3" rubber tube onto the remaining nipple. Then insert the nylon tube into the rubber tube. Route the nylon tube to the firewall (there should be a few unused holes with grommets you can use). Route the tube under the dash to where you want to mount the gauge and secure it with the provided zip-ties. Mine is mounted low on the A-pillard (easy to see and doesn't distract much).

As for wiring for the LED, you'll need two spade connectors, about 3' of wiring and shrinkwrapping tubes or electric tape. I splice the wires into the wires going to the heater control lighting (blue/gray is positive and brown is ground). That way the gauge lights up with the rest of the switches. Then route the wires to where you are mounting the gauge, secure anything loose with zip-ties Crimp on the spade connectors. The LED I got has a diode on the negative side to prevent burning up the LED if you connect the wires the wrong way (you have to respect polarity with LEDS). If it doesn't light up, invert the wires.

It turns out the mounting cup isn't deep enough for the gauge when the adapter from the tubing kit is on. I ended up makin a hole in the back of the cup (before I painted it) so the fitting would peek through. Install the mounting cup, secure it with the worm clamp and route the tube and wiring through the hole you just made. Slip the nut from the tubing kit onto the tube followed by the compression fitting then tighten it up (not too much though) on the gauge. Connect the wiring and slip the gauge into the pod and secure it with the allen screw.

That's it. If you didn't ufck up, the gauge should light up and work.

There are better looking gauges out there but the VDO looks very OEM and fits nicely with the MK2 gauge cluster. The gauge is very fast at registering boost but it does buzz a little bit when off boost because there is no vent hole. Lighting from the blue LED is adequate although a bit low.

All in all, a very good gauge for the price. I'll get some pictures of the gauge installed this evening or tomorrow.

Pros
-low price
-OEM look
-fast
-durable (glass front)

Con
-no install kit included (tubing and wiring)



Links
Gauge
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_mult.asp?Type=Turbo_Boost&Series=Cockpit&Units=E

Tubing kit
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_indA.asp?PN=CON-010

LED (also available in different colors)
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_indA.asp?PN=WLED-B

Mounting cup
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?Subgroup=Campro_Cup&Cart=

[Vincent Waldon]

I have one of dem VDO boost gauges (matching my Audi VDO suite) and yes, without a vacuum side the needle will buzz annoyingly at low boosts.

VDO sells a tee with a restrictor that evidently significantly reduces the buzz.. I learned to live with it but for 7 bucks you can make it go away wit a different tee.

Next time I need a boost gauge I will in fact get one with vacuum as well... although the ideal boost range for me is 0-15 psi and every one I've seen with vacuum is also 0-30 psi.

[rallydiesel]

I just got one for my son's TD. I had a vacuum and boost VDO in my TDI and switched the two because I didn't want the vacuum in my car. I went for a drive after installing the boost only gauge and found the buzzing to be annoyingly noticeable. The vacuum/boost gauge only buzzed at very low outside temps but the boost only gauge was buzzing at above freezing temps. I will switch back to the vac/boost and let my son have the boost gauge (because TD's are louder anyway    and he won't notice the buzzing.

[Vincent Waldon]

Here's one supplier of de-buzzers:

http://www.newsouthperformance.com/fitting.htm


Concept 1 in Calgary carries them for you Canadians:

http://www.concept1.ca/engine%20gauges.htm

[rallydiesel]

I have that fitting in my TDI and the gauge still buzzes.

[Black Smokin' Diesel]

I will switch back to the vac/boost and let my son have the boost gauge (because TD's are louder anyway    and he won't notice the buzzing.

That's what I thought too but it's quite noticeable even in an old diesel I just turn up the volume on the stereo a bit.

Here's one supplier of de-buzzers:

http://www.newsouthperformance.com/fitting.htm


Concept 1 in Calgary carries them for you Canadians:

http://www.concept1.ca/engine%20gauges.htm

Cool I'll pick one up soon. Anyone know how these work? One way valve?

[Black Smokin' Diesel]

Oh and on a side note, the LED I got will be replaced tomorrow with one MUCH brighter. I had trouble seeing anything on the gauge tonight, way too dim. Not worth the 3$ IMO.