jedimaster
04-05-2006, 04:06 PM
Then show it! I spent a little time installing a boost gauge the other night and I'm happy with how it went. My back, however is not thanking me from all the time I spent bent over under the hood (waiting for DM's jokes here :lol: ).
To start off, I took my engine cover off- for extra frustration, drop one of the popit clips onto the engine cover. For a bonus, drop another one in the electric fan as you put the cover back on.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-001.jpg
Here's the hose you're looking for- it's attached to the recirc valve and just pulls off.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-002.jpg
I used a large t-fitting to be sure things would fit snugly- this is a version you can cut to fit, but I just pressed it together. I began by inserting the nylon hose for the boost gauge into the bottom of the "T". I wrapped tape around my connections because the white plastic sticks out like a sore thumb otherwise and it couldn't hurt to keep everything a little more secure.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-003.jpg
Make a cut on the hose from the recirc valve and place the two ends that run in a straight line to each other in the hose ends. Again, I wrapped some electrical tape around everything so it wouldn't be so obvious.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-004.jpg
I then routed the hose over and across the intercooler (you might not want to do that on a hot engine, but mine was cool).
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-005.jpg
I originally was set on using this grommet to route the hose into the passenger compartment, but there's so much junk under the dashboard that I literally couldn't see the hose. The heater core, etc. are all in the way.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-007.jpg
This was the way I went instead. I just poked a little hole in the rubber and fed the hose through. The hose will wind up visible this time. Unfortunately, you may have to take the glove box out to reach in and route it to the location I ultimately used. I couldn't get my arm in far enough to reach the hose, so being that I've had the glove box out already and knew what to expect (due to the excellent thread on installing the cabin air filter), I pulled it out again.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-006.jpg
I then routed the nylon hose neatly along the engine compartment- there are clips holding the electrical harness that are perfect for keeping the hose out of the way of excessive engine heat/ vibration. Then I put the engine cover back on (don't forget to drop your popits- extra points for doing this with a flashlight after dark) and covered the hose with plastic wire loom I had left over from a stereo install.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-008.jpg
Here's the part where you're gonna cringe. I took the center cubby and vents out (it just pulls out) and found that the gauge needs a little more room than what came with the car- I used a dremel to carve out just enough of an indentation so the gauge fits snugly.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-009.jpg
Next, I dremeled out a hole in the back of the cubby for the wires and hose to get to the gauge. I forgot to take pictures of this, but the light in the cubby that comes on when you turn your headlights on is a great spot to tap for power. The power wire is purple and the black with yellow wire is grounded. Make sure you have enough room to get your wires and hose through to the gauge.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-010.jpg
Here's the final result- I may eventually add a panel so it looks more professional, but for now it's functional and allows room for my cell phone. And like someone else said, you can close it and people don't know you have a gauge in there. This is an el cheapo Autometer Phantom boost gauge, but it suits me- it came with a red bulb condom so when you turn the lights on, the combo of red light and white face match the scheme of the nighttime lighting of the car pretty well.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-011.jpg
Since installing the Autometer gauge, I've changed over to the VEI digital gauge and I like it much better- I've also installed a faceplate to mount the gauge in- pix to come!
To start off, I took my engine cover off- for extra frustration, drop one of the popit clips onto the engine cover. For a bonus, drop another one in the electric fan as you put the cover back on.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-001.jpg
Here's the hose you're looking for- it's attached to the recirc valve and just pulls off.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-002.jpg
I used a large t-fitting to be sure things would fit snugly- this is a version you can cut to fit, but I just pressed it together. I began by inserting the nylon hose for the boost gauge into the bottom of the "T". I wrapped tape around my connections because the white plastic sticks out like a sore thumb otherwise and it couldn't hurt to keep everything a little more secure.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-003.jpg
Make a cut on the hose from the recirc valve and place the two ends that run in a straight line to each other in the hose ends. Again, I wrapped some electrical tape around everything so it wouldn't be so obvious.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-004.jpg
I then routed the hose over and across the intercooler (you might not want to do that on a hot engine, but mine was cool).
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-005.jpg
I originally was set on using this grommet to route the hose into the passenger compartment, but there's so much junk under the dashboard that I literally couldn't see the hose. The heater core, etc. are all in the way.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-007.jpg
This was the way I went instead. I just poked a little hole in the rubber and fed the hose through. The hose will wind up visible this time. Unfortunately, you may have to take the glove box out to reach in and route it to the location I ultimately used. I couldn't get my arm in far enough to reach the hose, so being that I've had the glove box out already and knew what to expect (due to the excellent thread on installing the cabin air filter), I pulled it out again.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-006.jpg
I then routed the nylon hose neatly along the engine compartment- there are clips holding the electrical harness that are perfect for keeping the hose out of the way of excessive engine heat/ vibration. Then I put the engine cover back on (don't forget to drop your popits- extra points for doing this with a flashlight after dark) and covered the hose with plastic wire loom I had left over from a stereo install.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-008.jpg
Here's the part where you're gonna cringe. I took the center cubby and vents out (it just pulls out) and found that the gauge needs a little more room than what came with the car- I used a dremel to carve out just enough of an indentation so the gauge fits snugly.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-009.jpg
Next, I dremeled out a hole in the back of the cubby for the wires and hose to get to the gauge. I forgot to take pictures of this, but the light in the cubby that comes on when you turn your headlights on is a great spot to tap for power. The power wire is purple and the black with yellow wire is grounded. Make sure you have enough room to get your wires and hose through to the gauge.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-010.jpg
Here's the final result- I may eventually add a panel so it looks more professional, but for now it's functional and allows room for my cell phone. And like someone else said, you can close it and people don't know you have a gauge in there. This is an el cheapo Autometer Phantom boost gauge, but it suits me- it came with a red bulb condom so when you turn the lights on, the combo of red light and white face match the scheme of the nighttime lighting of the car pretty well.
http://premium.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi/boost-gauge-011.jpg
Since installing the Autometer gauge, I've changed over to the VEI digital gauge and I like it much better- I've also installed a faceplate to mount the gauge in- pix to come!