R32: Mechanical Boost Gauge Installation (gts-t)

[eXc]

Topic: Mechanical Boost Gauge Install

Car: R32 GTST / RB20DET

Difficulty: 3/10

Hey Guys,

I know it's been covered in threads before, however I thought I'd do my own tutorial, with pics to help newbies (like myself)

I had to work all this out myself without pics, so it isn't too hard. I haven't put in mounting of the gauge, just where to run the hose, and where to make 'the crucial cut'

Cheers

Chris

NOTES: You can run the cable whereever you like. This is how I did it, think about what you are doing before you do it, perhaps you won't like the way I did it.

Tools / Parts needed

- Mechanical Boost Gauge - I have no idea about electronic, so don't bother asking When you work it out, make a tutorial like I have

- hose (it's cheap...I started with 3m to be sure, You should work out how much you need before starting)

- T Piece

- Screwdrivers

- Wire or something to help you get the hose through the firewall

Step 1

Remove the driver side kick panel (Image 1)

Step 2

Remove the floor trim, or cut a hole if you're lazy like me. (image 2)

Step 3

Under then engine, remove the foam plug that will expose an area to run the hose (images 3 and 4)

Step 4

Run the hose through the firewall. It isn't easy. Use some solid wire to push it through. Get inside the car to pull it through further.

Step 5

Cut the hose as shown in image 5. This picture already has the T peice in place (Image 5)

Step 6

Put the T peice in as pictured (image 6)

Step 7

Back inside the car, mount your boost gauge and run the hose to it. Connect it up. Start the car, check for leaks/acurate boost reading (dyno run) Many guages aren't accurate, that isn't a problem as long as you know what the reading is in reality. I was lucky, my gauge is very accurate.

Hope that helps out the newbies. I know it would have helped me heaps if it was around.

There are other locations to cut the hoses, but I read that is the best location as other hoses can cause engine damage somehow (no I don't know how)

[LANFOH]

Excellent tutorial mate. Any chance of details of how to hook up the electrics?

[SAUmember888]

Thanks for the tutorial! Yo da best!

[eXc]

Excellent tutorial mate. Any chance of details of how to hook up the electrics?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Electrics? If you mean an electronic boost gauge - No. I have no idea how they even work.

If you mean to get a light to the mech boost gauge... If I ever have time I will add it in. It took me a month to get round to this.

But all I did was run the earth line on the gauge to a bolt that was on metal. And I ran the power line and just cut into the light wire for the cig lighter.

Cheers

Chris

[Gonzola]

I did this with a friend on his R32.. pretty easy job. Used a cheap guage though and the fittings were shit..

[xRHETTx]

I might be able to help with electronic boost guages. Ive recently installed an electronic Pivot boost guage in my r32. Dont have any photos though.

Basically, its all the same, Except the air line that plugs into the back of the guage plugs into a pressure transducer instead (looks like a little black box). Try to place the transducer as close to the source as possible (keep the air line short) to improve response, under the dash is good as you dont want it under the bonnet (too hot) and it cant get wet.

The transducer needs +12V power, negative and has a signal wire going from it to the actual guage. The guage itself will need +12V power from the ignition, +12V from the lights and a negative (or earth).

The easiest place to get all three of these is the cigarette lighter.

[eXc]

Kewl, Thanks

[46n2]

Great tutorial mate

With the boost gauges i've installed i've found it easier to push the line though the firewall from inside the cabin. (step 4)

Get a coat hanger cut it and straighten it out. Slide the hose over the coat hanger (so now it's solid), and push it through the hole from inside the cabin.

Keep up the good work

[eXc]

personally I would MUCH prefer from the engine bay, I tried from in the cabin and I had no chance. Oh well, kewl

[46n2]

yeah whatever works easiest the wire in the hose to push it through is a godsend though. i spent a while trying without wire before it finally dawned on me.

[supadan]

hey

iam in the proses of installing a boost guage and my car hasnt got that little black box so were to i tap the tube from the guage many thanks

[J_R32]

if u have a turbo timer, all ur electrical needs for ur guage are there, only problem is guage light is contantaly on unless u turn off ur timer