Boost Gauge tips/info (what I did)

[banditoamigo]

I remember seeing a post here a while back with questions about boost guages. Here's a cross-post from AW's allroad forum where I posted my tips/experience:

First, here's where the $80 ProSport gauge is mounted. All you need to do is pop the vent out at the front and drill a 3/8" hole at the back of the vent location to run the wires. Note that the ProSport gauge includes the mounting cup, visor and double-sided tape that you'll need to mimic my install.



Under the hood, you just need to tap into a boost/vacuum line using the supplied tee and vacuum hose. I chose to tap into the fuel sender module's line (some discussion on if this is the best line to tap, but it's the easiest to find, snip and insert the tee). I also ran the hose into the battery compartment and mounted the control module/sender for the boost gauge to the ECU box to keep it cool and dry. There's a nice grommet you can use to get into the battery compartment, and another nice little grommet/plug leading into the firewall just to the right of the battery.

Here's the details under the hood:



Other than that it's pretty simple -- just follow the instructions that came with the gauge (they're hacked up English from China, and a bit cryptic): Red goes to battery lead, black to ground, white/orange go to switched source and/or light switch (the gauge can change color when you turn on your lights -- handy as the white gauge face is pretty bright at night).

Other tips: Run the wiring from the firewall into the cabin by completely removing the triangle-shaped plug and using a coat-hanger wire to fish the wire down to where you can reach it. Same goes for the access from the vent pocket to the fuse box next to the driver's side door.

And one final word of caution -- make sure you use new boost line hose where you tap into the line -- when I tapped it the first time I ended up making a small hole in the line, and it caused the car to go into limp mode and run lean b/c the fuel sender wasn't getting the right amount of boost to adjust correctly. It may be better to tap into the line under the Y-Pipe, the only drawback there being that you have to remove the pipe to get to the line.

There you go! Easy-peasy :-)

[A62TURBO]

Those t-line connections don't look too safe. Make sure you push the lines in all the way on the splitter or else they can come loose under heavy boost.

[banditoamigo]

Thanks A62 -- believe it or not, they're actually all the way in. The tee is setup for two sizes of hose -- the extra bit you're seeing is the larger diameter for the larger stuff.

Also why I used zip-ties to tighten the connections down -- but I failed to mention that. Great suggestion!

[yoogene83]

that's pretty slick! nicely done!

[Pearl_2.7T]

That's a great DIY, thanks buddy.

On a side note, does anyone know of TAN colored boost gauges that can be purchased??? If not I guess I can buy a black one and sand it down and paint it

- Jared

[Ben@SpeedBarn]

Looks good. What are the other mounting options for the a6/allroad? I'm familiar with the apillar, and vent mounts for the b5 chassis, but not sure my options for the c5 i'm picking up tomorrow.

[Pearl_2.7T]

Looks good. What are the other mounting options for the a6/allroad? I'm familiar with the apillar, and vent mounts for the b5 chassis, but not sure my options for the c5 i'm picking up tomorrow.

Not too many, unfortunately there is no company that makes a boost gauge for the C5 A6, therefore everyone has to fabricate gauges that are meant for other automobile models.

- Jared

[e1000usa]

thanks

[Daft]

Looks good. What are the other mounting options for the a6/allroad? I'm familiar with the apillar, and vent mounts for the b5 chassis, but not sure my options for the c5 i'm picking up tomorrow.

I did mine in the defroster vent too:






It was the best place in terms of visibility and clean-ness. I also didn't have to hack the left/right louvres in my A/C vent.

The pod is fiberglass. I bought to molded piece of Andrey (kievsky) and I took it a step further by making it flush all the way to the corners.

I wish I knew how to make molds of it to make more.....

[ckpepper02]

I wish I knew how to make molds of it to make more.....

Me too. I wish you knew how to make molds to make more

[Pearl_2.7T]

I just ordered this same ProSport boost gauge...I can't wait to get it

- Jared

[ckpepper02]

So your gauge is mounted with a bracket? Is it this one? http://prosportgauges.com/52mm_mountingstrap.aspx

[doobiesdaddy]

I opted to not sacrifice my vent. Also, be sure to use a better silicone hose than what the kit gives you.

[banditoamigo]

ckpepper, I just used the mount that came in the box with the gauge - no need to order separate. Doobiesdaddy, looks nice! Seeing any problems w/ glare without the "hood" thing?

FWIW, the windows defrost just fine with the gauge in that vent -- just got through a weekend of -10F with no issues.

[doobiesdaddy]

ckpepper, I just used the mount that came in the box with the gauge - no need to order separate. Doobiesdaddy, looks nice! Seeing any problems w/ glare without the "hood" thing?

FWIW, the windows defrost just fine with the gauge in that vent -- just got through a weekend of -10F with no issues.

No problems of glare w/o the hood. It works well. I wanted more flow through the vent because I often have 3 100 pound dogs, my baby and wife in the car at the same time and we fog the windows rather quickly!
Thanks Banditamigo for the great DIY!

[wofman]

I'm thinking about something like this (post turbo-mod). He's getting bugs out of the dimmer part of installlation, last I heard from him. [Vinces solution can go into my card/change holder on left side, leaving cup holder on right side.]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241458

I'm trying to avoid above dash mount, though I've already violated that with other clutter -- radar, Garmin. Also, I would certainly prefer analog over digital read out, but.... Best would be putting it where the stupid "C" <--> "H" dial is in display.

wofman

[Kievskiy]

well, the mold process is kinda messy and time consuming, for which i don't have a place and time, also the mold products are not that cheap. but i saw couple videos on Tube and thats how i did one i sold to Brett(Daft), BUT there is also one more option!
This is a cheap single gauge pod, which was cut to fit in between the windshield and dashboard:

[ckpepper02]

ckpepper, I just used the mount that came in the box with the gauge - no need to order separate.

I actually have a podi gauge that I bought from winston. I love it. works really well, but I didn't want to go the steering column route, so I am trying to fab up a pod in the defrost vent like Kievskiy and Daft.

No luck yet though, my first attempts at fiberglass have been pretty god-awful.

[Spazm71]

Bandit- could'nt you just put some tint over the gauge to dim the light?

[doobiesdaddy]

Bandit- could'nt you just put some tint over the gauge to dim the light?

I did the reverse wire mod so it is back lit red at night and back lit white during the day

[banditoamigo]

I did the reverse wire mod so it is back lit red at night and back lit white during the day

That's what I did too DD. Simple as tapping into the headlight fuse for the amber light.

[ckpepper02]

What wire do we tap into to make the gauge light up when we turn on the headlights?

[doobiesdaddy]

What wire do we tap into to make the gauge light up when we turn on the headlights?

as Banditamigo stated: "Red goes to battery lead, black to ground, white/orange go to switched source and/or light switch (the gauge can change color when you turn on your lights -- handy as the white gauge face is pretty bright at night)."

[ckpepper02]

as Banditamigo stated: "Red goes to battery lead, black to ground, white/orange go to switched source and/or light switch (the gauge can change color when you turn on your lights -- handy as the white gauge face is pretty bright at night)."

Sorry, let me re-phrase. Which wire on the light switch is the one we tap into? I'm using a different gauge than what you all are referring to.

[doobiesdaddy]

Sorry, let me re-phrase. Which wire on the light switch is the one we tap into? I'm using a different gauge than what you all are referring to.

tap into the fuse for the lights in the fuse box on the drivers side door

[ckpepper02]

tap into the fuse for the lights in the fuse box on the drivers side door

Ooooohhhhh!!! Ok, thank you!!! I'm going to try that tonight!

Thanks!!

[boosted_A6]

well, the mold process is kinda messy and time consuming, for which i don't have a place and time, also the mold products are not that cheap. but i saw couple videos on Tube and thats how i did one i sold to Brett(Daft), BUT there is also one more option!
This is a cheap single gauge pod, which was cut to fit in between the windshield and dashboard:

whos car is this with the cheap pod? how was the wires and vac lines run from up there?

[wofman]

I'm still holding out for some way to integrate into dash. Anybody see the one that is part of speedo or tach? Can't find the post.

[awtst3.a6]

I put mine ontop of the vent coming through :p I haven't had time to paint the screws/nuts black yet. I also have all of the wires hiden :).

[A62TURBO]

I chose the custom route.

[twinsnailsS4]

Here's my current set-up and my former one from years ago (just to share since it was different). My current is a Blitz turbo-timer and boost-gauge...it gets the job done...



This was discontinued long ago, but it was pretty cool: Defi heads-up-display boost gauge that was also a turbo timer. In boost, the streak would go all the way around clockwise

[wofman]

[QUOTE=twinsnailsS4;3722981]Here's my current set-up and my former one from years ago (just to share since it was different). My current is a Blitz turbo-timer and boost-gauge...it gets the job done...

QUOTE]

As much as I prefer analog gauge this is a much better location.

[doobiesdaddy]

Wofman, If you like the clean look you will love this boost gauge option. I decided not to go this route because it did not display vacuum.

Linky-->http://www.impconcepts.com/audis4boostgaugeforsale.htm

[wofman]

Wofman, If you like the clean look you will love this boost gauge option. I decided not to go this route because it did not display vacuum.

Linky-->http://www.impconcepts.com/audis4boostgaugeforsale.htm

YES! That's the one I had seen somewhere (the dreaded S4 forum?) and then couldn't find. So help me on this then, why do we want to see vacuum?

Nice job, Doobie.

[doobiesdaddy]

YES! That's the one I had seen somewhere (the dreaded S4 forum?) and then couldn't find. So help me on this then, why do we want to see vacuum?

Nice job, Doobie.

It is nice to see exactly what the turbo is doing at all times, boost or vacuum.

[pit viper]

I've tried contacting them, and never gotten a response.

[doobiesdaddy]

try again at this email: [email protected]

they keep sending me email trying to make a sale.
Got one the other day.

[02 A6 2.7T]

Wofman, If you like the clean look you will love this boost gauge option. I decided not to go this route because it did not display vacuum.

Linky-->http://www.impconcepts.com/audis4boostgaugeforsale.htm

A similar in-tach option as a complete ($399 - ouch!) kit with dial faces
http://www.stratmosphere.com/oct_s4_boostgauge.htm

[wofman]

while we're at it, the other (digital) dash approach is in center dash panel by www.techreactions.com

[A62TURBO]

I don't know about everyone else, but I like to actually look at a gauge.