How Accurate Is The R34 Factory Boost Guage?

[SS8_Gohan]

Hi peeps,

I put in a full 3" exhaust from the turbo back a few months ago, and also want to put in my turbotech manual boost controller, but i don't want to have it set wrong and go and destroy the fragile 34 turbo

At the moment, on full boost, it seems to be a bit above the second last mark on the stock boost guage. So going from the marks, halfway is 0psi, all the way at the top is 14 (is that 1kg?) and 3/4 would be 7psi?.

I want to set the boost controller at 10psi, seems to be a safe level for the R34 turbo's, but it "seems" like the boost is already that high? Ie, a little past the 3/4 mark, or about 9-10psi.

Can i trust the stock boost guage?

For the R34 owners out there who haven't done any mods to affect boost (ha!) what does your boost guage show on full boost? Or does anyone remember what it showed?

If i need an after-market one, is the best place to put it just where the stock one is? Or is that a bitch to do?

Keen to put the the controller in to get rid of the two-stage boost, and possibly up the boost a bit if it isn't at 10psi, but i don't know if i can trust the stock guage.

cheers,

daniel

[Forged]

1 kg/cm 2 = 14.2psi so thats pretty close. I think the best way to be sure is to get an electronic boost controller. that way you could compare its boost readings with the factory boost gauge. not to mention other associated benefits with an electronic boost controller over a manual one.

I have a Nismo "triple gauge" upgrade (still factory location) which reads to 1.4kg.cm 2. Its dead accurate with my profec B so the factory one wouldnt be far off.

Hi peeps,

I put in a full 3" exhaust from the turbo back a few months ago, and also want to put in my turbotech manual boost controller, but i don't want to have it set wrong and go and destroy the fragile 34 turbo

At the moment, on full boost, it seems to be a bit above the second last mark on the stock boost guage. So going from the marks, halfway is 0psi, all the way at the top is 14 (is that 1kg?) and 3/4 would be 7psi?.

For the R34 owners out there who haven't done any mods to affect boost (ha!) what does your boost guage show on full boost? Or does anyone remember what it showed?

If i need an after-market one, is the best place to put it just where the stock one is? Or is that a bitch to do?

Keen to put the the controller in to get rid of the two-stage boost, and possibly up the boost a bit if it isn't at 10psi, but i don't know if i can trust the stock guage.

cheers,

daniel

[nuffsaid]

Dont trust it.

I have no boost mods, just a full exhaust (with hiflow cat) and sometimes my gauge reads just under the last mark ie. probably 13psi in first and second gear.

I am pretty sure I am running nowhere near that, I couldnt have picked up 5psi from just an exhaust. On the dyno I think it was at 10psi just from the exhaust.

I am in the same boat, I havent bought the turbotech purely because I dont have an accurate guage. Plus if its already at 10psi, do I gain anything from getting a boost controller if 10 or 11psi is what I want to leave it at?

[satanic]

I think I've relied on my factory boost gauge for about 3 hours (driving the car around after I bought it). Ever since then I've relied on other gadgetry - now I rely on my E-01 which gives me accurate readings to the .01psi

LOL full boost at the moment has the needle on my factory gauge shoot off the scale

[Munkyb0y]

all you need is a decent boost gauge. dont trust the stock one.

and theres nothing wrong with the turbotech boost controller. mine showed flat 10psi on the dyno. as good as any electronic one.

[SS8_Gohan]

not worried about the T.T. mbc.

If my full 3" exhaust has upped the boost to 10psi, then the mbc can get rid of the two-stage factory boost. Still a plus.

Hmmm... how much are we looking at for a decent boost guage?

Is the nismo factory option better?

Where exactly would you put it? I've always been partial to the A-Pillar guage setup, not sure if it's legal though...

thanks for the replies guys! it seems i might not be making as much boost as the guage is telling me

[Munkyb0y]

apexi - hks - greddy will cost the most. a bit too much if you ask me.

autometer gauges have a good rep. $100 off ebay?

i use a splitfire gauge and i'm happy with it. rrp under $100.

avoid autogauge and other cheap chinese crap. you'll doubt their accuracy anwyay, defeats the purpose

[nuffsaid]

Go Defi! very nice, but unfortuantely very expensive as well.

Dont go for Nismo as it is probably just as inaccurate, why? i am pretty certain it uses the same boost sensor which is probably the bit that is NOT accurate. I think they are just pleasing to the eye, but function wise, i dont see how they are different from the stock guages except for a bigger scale to show bigger amounts of boost.

I'm in the same boat, no idea what true boost I am running, no idea whether i should get an EBC or MBC haha the thing is i did the solenoid ground trick to get rid of the 2 stage boost, so would a bc benefit me? (perhaps as i dont think the grounding thing is working properly) haha

[rgr34]

ppl that have replaced the factory guage did u put it in the same place in the centre console or did u relocate it and leave the stock one connected? im thinking of getting an aftermarket guage as the stock one is working intermiattly when it wants to. what guage fits nice in the console space?

[Howie]

ppl that have replaced the factory guage did u put it in the same place in the centre console or did u relocate it and leave the stock one connected? im thinking of getting an aftermarket guage as the stock one is working intermiattly when it wants to. what guage fits nice in the console space?

Working intermittently could mean your pressure sender unit (inside the engine bay) is on the blink. I have a feeling mine's on it's way out too, so i've been using my electronic blitz dsbc for boost readings instead.

[rgr34]

is the unit visible where abouts is it in the bay?

[Howie]

it's near the master brake cylinder (drivers side). about $100 bucks second hand from memory.

[jazza08]

I gotta be honest and say my factory one was very accurate and still is after ive had the elc boost controller tuned. There is never a difference in reading between the two. I remember in my r32/r33 the factory boost gauges weren't so crash hot, and the oil pressure gauges in those cars... omg don't even go there hahaha

If i was you i wouldn't have any drama's relying on the factory boost gauge until u get urself sorted with an elc boost controller!

[Bass Junky]

Hey guys.

My Factory gauge is starting to act up.

It will occasionally drop off to no reading for a few minutes and come back randomly.

I will most likely be replacing the factory boost/volt/oil temp gauges with some Defi-Link gauges in the near future.

Will hide the gauges in behind the stock cover.

I think only the 52mm will fit inside, but the 60mm will fit on the outside of the housing, but that's too easy to see, hence steal.

Anybody else every tried this?

I've seen pics, but never seen it in person.

BASS OUT

[rgr34]

My Factory gauge is starting to act up.

It will occasionally drop off to no reading for a few minutes and come back randomly

as i said mine does the same thing i was looking at replacing it but it may not fix it if the sender unit is dodgy as someone posted

[SS8_Gohan]

yeah, keen on seeing any pics of someone replacing the stock guages with defit, etc... but in the factory position. I think that would be the best place for them, although i am a bit of a sucker to the a-pillar guages Is that illegal by the way? a-pillar mount?

[jazza08]

mmmmmmm

[SS8_Gohan]

ooo, ullo govna!

[jazza08]

Defis where factory gauges are FTW. I thought they were too big, but it seems like you can do it if you try hard enough? hahahaha

[Bass Junky]

Not Defi, But they are 60mm gauges INSIDE the housing.....