Author Topic: boost indicator? (Read 5811 times)

chrissev · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 06:18:39 pm »

anyone know how to install an indicator (gauge) that would show the boost I am getting on my turbo (88 Jetta turbo diesel). I once drove a dodge shadow with turbo and it had a boost indicator in the speedo cluster that was really useful for seeing when I was getting full boost.

Christopher

VWRacer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2004, 08:56:53 pm »

You can buy an inexpensive boost gauge from hundreds of outlets on the web (search on 'autometer boost gauge'). Snake the line through a firewall hole (already there for the wiring bundles), and "T" it into the boost line going from the intake manifold to the boost enrichment device on the fuel pump. Mount the gauge in a convenient spot in the cockpit and you are in business. If you'd like the gauge lighted (so you can read it at night), simply wire it into any switched circuit.

Wingaman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2004, 12:31:55 am »

You can go with a cheap pool presure gage (about 5$ canadian) 0-30psi. Or if you want someting better, an ASHCROFT industrial hydrolic gage is good, it's what i used if my car. 1.9TD in A2. Make no noise and the reading is accuratly. (About 20$ candian).

With all the fitting and hose, is not soposed to cost more than 30$(including a quality hydrolic gage).

Rat407 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2004, 04:50:03 am »

Quote from: " "T" it into the boost line going from the intake manifold to the boost enrichment device on the fuel pump. .[/quote

What if you don't have one of these lines? But I do have a nipple that is capped off that comes off the front of my intake manifold. Would that be a good place to install the line for my boost gage? I plumbed one in while the engine was out for a rebuild, so I just need to connect the line to a boost port.

VWRacer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:25:37 am »

Yeah, that sounds like a great spot, Rat. Anywhere the gauge can read the actual intake manifold pressure is good.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2004, 09:29:56 am »

anyone know where to find the skinny plastic hose (not as flexible as OEM vacuum line) and a fitting to attatch it to the gauge? i have an autometer gauge that i 'borrowed' from my corrado, but i didn't want to pull the hose out as well....

VWRacer · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2004, 10:26:50 am »

You can generally find it at larger "Home Depot" type stores here in the States. Also, welding supply places carry it, as it is the same hose used to feed argon to a MIG or TIG welder.

farkman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2004, 11:01:13 am »

VWRacer

That welding hose is way too big. It's about 1/2" in diameter and the fittings on the ends are big too. They also have special seats to seal 3000-4000 psi and the threads probably might not even match up. I think the hose that BackTieTD needs is only like 1/8" thick. There's a picture on the Autometer website that shows the type of hose he needs. It says it's nylon tubing and it looks like it goes together with compression fittings.

Lanny you could try Princess Auto to see what they have. I seem to remember them having the fittings that you may need.

Peter

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2004, 11:11:18 am »

thanks peter, yep about 1/8" with compression fittings. i'll try princess.

been busy with yadda yadda yadda but lets talk about pipe bends sometime

VWRacer · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2004, 12:55:56 pm »

Quote from: "farkman"

That welding hose is way too big. It's about 1/2" in diameter and the fittings on the ends are big too. They also have special seats to seal 3000-4000 psi and the threads probably might not even match up.

Nope, I'm talking about the 1/8" ID plastic line. There are no threads...it just slips over the barbs. My MIG only uses a couple of PSI, nothing like the pressure lines you are thinking of.

Anyway, it's well under a dollar a foot at almost any hardware store.

Stan

farkman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2004, 02:10:07 pm »

VWRacer

Sorry, my mistake. I feel like such an idiot saying that those lines hold 3000-4000psi, especially since I have both a MIG and a TIG ( I should know better :lol: ). They only hold about 50psi or less.

Also how are using a 1/8" hose for sheilding gas? Do the threads on the barb (I'm assuming NPT threads) fit the regulator and welder (I've never checked).

Lanny, sounds good.

Peter

VWRacer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2004, 02:40:11 pm »

No problem, bro...!

When I bought my MIG about 10 years ago, there was just a small ~1/8" barb for the gas inlet on the back of the welder, so when I bought a tank of gas, I bought an appropriate NPT-to-1/8" barb reducer. It has worked great for all those years. Of course, I've replaced the hose a couple of times, but that clear line is really tough, and I don't doubt that it can hold 50 psi. It'll work great for a turbo.

fatmobile · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2004, 08:46:12 pm »

I've been using 1/8" I.D. air brake line for the little lines between the injectors.
Looks like it will fit the 1/8" barb on the back of my boost guage too.
It's only 40 cents a foot.
Air brake line should be able to handle some boost.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2004, 04:08:45 pm »

still havent been able to track down the needed compression fitting and line for my boost gauge. i've tried princess auto, TSC, canadian tire, part source... none have the proper fitting.

any other ideas? i forget the size of the fitting on the back of the gauge, but i think its 1/4". the line that was used originally with this gauge is much less than 1/8", looks more like 1/16". i also need a tee to tap into the line to the LDA that will work with the skinny hard line to the gauge...

gauge is autometer if that helps..

VWRacer · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2004, 04:52:15 pm »

Surely some auto parts store up your way must carry automotive vacuum line... :?