VDO is finally in!

[buck]

Well, finally got the boost gauge in. As you can see, I went with the VDO. It's a decent match, not perfect, but decent. It's pretty responsive. Haven't experienced the "buzz", but I did put the paper filter in-line when installed.

Ran the boost hose though the trunk release cable grommet..... BIG mistake because after the first rainfall, my floor mat was wet. Seems that the area where I ran the hose sees much of the water drainage from the windshield. A little silicone seemed to solve that.

With the APR 93 oct chip, it peaks just below 20psi and holds at around 16psi. I get about 22Hg's of vac at idle. Seems that the system is running fine.

I did the Plexiglas center vent location as it's a nice balance in the interior. All in all, it took around 4hrs from start to after everything was buttoned back up and all tools put away. That also included the Plexiglas mount fabrication.... took a few trial fits.

Fairly easy job all in all. Any half-arse'd do-it yourselfer can handle it.

ONE CRAPPY THING ABOUT HAVING A BOOST GAUGE: you look at that damn thing more so than the road!

[Mike~p]

looks good man

[DDQ]

You should run the gauge line through the firewall via the ECU box. There's a rubber gromment there you can just poke a hole in for such a purpose.


I was the same way, looking at the gauge all the time at first. That wears off after awhile.

[MR VTEC]

how much does the vdo gauge go for?

[buck]

Originally posted by DDQ
You should run the gauge line through the firewall via the ECU box. There's a rubber gromment there you can just poke a hole in for such a purpose.


I was the same way, looking at the gauge all the time at first. That wears off after awhile.

I did the install with no instructions in hand, tried going by memory. I hit a snag when trying to remove the ECU cover. Couldn't figure how to get to the screw on the back of the cover. For the life of me, I couldn't get the wiper cowl off. My freaking wiper arm wouldn't come off. That when I started looking for another location.

[buck]

Originally posted by MR VTEC
how much does the vdo gauge go for?

It's around $35 or $40 US I believe. Sure beats paying $149 for the AWE one!

The VDO and AWE ones are back-lit. I don't find that the side-lit gauges match well enough.

EuroAddict (sp?) can get you the VDO gauge if you're looking.

[DDQ]

I have the APR setup. Not the cheapest, but I love the look and how well in blends in with the interior, and looks stock.

[buck]

Originally posted by DDQ
I have the APR setup. Not the cheapest, but I love the look and how well in blends in with the interior, and looks stock.

DDQ - your APR one does look very clean for sure. I almost picked that one up.... but when I found out that a piece of plexiglass only cost $2.49 - I went that route! Gotta save that extra cash for wings and beer

[RippleChip]

Definately nice, but I know you've got tricks up your sleeve to keep going with it. Soon it will blend perfectly.

[D Piddy]

it looks damn good. i went with the AWE but only bc it was a gift. if i'da had to pay for it, i woulda gone a different route

[DDQ]

Originally posted by buck
DDQ - your APR one does look very clean for sure. I almost picked that one up.... but when I found out that a piece of plexiglass only cost $2.49 - I went that route! Gotta save that extra cash for wings and beer

I definitely agree, it's a bit much to pay for a piece of plastic! But, I really liked it, and it was an impulse buy. I too like wings and beer. But, since I know longer live in upstate NY, I cannot find good wings ANYWHERE. I don't get why the rest of the country can't figure out how to make good wings. It's not that hard.

Damn! Now I want wings.

[buck]

Ripple, I still want to play around with the mount for sure! Maybe if time permits this weekend I'll take it to step 2.

I wish someone was nice enough to buy me a nice and pretty gauge mount.... but the plexiglass route is really simple and the results are decent also!

DDQ.... I too now have a craving for wings! The better half works at a bar where they make awesome wings.... I try to get a pound in a couple times a month. I'll take a nice picture of them and post for you ;)

[JMG]

Looks good man! We have the same interior.

[buck]

Originally posted by JMG
Looks good man! We have the same interior.

Hmmmmmm..... you went with the red condom, eh..... I was wondering how it would look with the white backlit dash gauges.... I kinda wanted to keep the same dash theme color.

The white on the VDO doesn't match our dash light perfectly though. But with the red condom, yours seems to match the lights in the center console really well.

What to do.... what to do?

[JMG]

Originally posted by buck
Hmmmmmm..... you went with the red condom, eh..... I was wondering how it would look with the white backlit dash gauges.... I kinda wanted to keep the same dash theme color.

The white on the VDO doesn't match our dash light perfectly though. But with the red condom, yours seems to match the lights in the center console really well.

What to do.... what to do?

Yeah I strated with the white light... but it's actaully got a yellow tint to it. If you can find a very light blue condom then that might fix it, but I tried the red and really liked it. Matches perfectly.

[RippleChip]

Oh the possibilities.
That does look good all red. Wonder if you can get a better white bulb to help it match.

[awe4rings]

Originally posted by buck
I did the install with no instructions in hand, tried going by memory. I hit a snag when trying to remove the ECU cover. Couldn't figure how to get to the screw on the back of the cover. For the life of me, I couldn't get the wiper cowl off. My freaking wiper arm wouldn't come off. That when I started looking for another location.

Wiper Cowl - Put wipers in 12 oclock position and turn 1/4 rotation on either screw, its comes off.

ECU Box - As for the rear screw, I believe earlier models had a hole somewhere to fit an extension through on a ratchet. I have a 2000 and I just shimmed the rachet in there, careful not to drop the screw on removal, and it came out easily with a few cranks.