Boost Gauge Kit

[GrantGam]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to fit a boost gauge in my S2 Coupe ABY and would like to know if anyone has any recommendations? I see there are basically two viable options:

-Driver's side, post mounted dashboard gauge
-Flush mounted where the middle heater blower is.

Can anyone advise me of complete kits or at least the required parts and other helpful information on fitting?

[mac2226]

Boost gauge

Rusty on this forum can get them best pm him

[s2_bo]

The centre vent option is very popular and easy to do. Theres a few threads on here with info.
You don't need a kit as such, just a 52mm or 60mm gauge, some silicone hose and a T pice. Its easy to tap in to the airline at the ecu and you can get power from the cd player or dash illumination.

[GrantGam]

The centre vent option is very popular and easy to do. Theres a few threads on here with info.
You don't need a kit as such, just a 52mm or 60mm gauge, some silicone hose and a T pice. Its easy to tap in to the airline at the ecu and you can get power from the cd player or dash illumination.

I've been trawling through but I can't seem to find any guides... Apologies, I'm working until Wednesday (on a ferry) and have a pretty slow net connection. Would you be able to post a link please as trawling really takes a long time?

[newsh]

Rusty on here does a very nice OEM looking boost gauge. You can get fitting kits (tube / adapter/ t piece) on ebay, you need to make sure the adapter at the gauge end is the right thread type. There are centre vent pods on ebay .de or you can cut a spare vent which look pretty good. As well as the A pillar pods there is also a pod which mounts above the steering wheel in front of the clocks.

I personally think the centre vent looks good in the S2 although the A pllar pod is more "line of sight".

[newsh]

Here's an example of a fitting kit, I can't remember if the K24R (Rusty) gauge has 1/8 BSP or NPT thread. Both are available.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LMA-Turbo-...3D281298472604

Do you know where the ECU is situated?

[GrantGam]

Rusty on here does a very nice OEM looking boost gauge. You can get fitting kits (tube / adapter/ t piece) on ebay, you need to make sure the adapter at the gauge end is the right thread type. There are centre vent pods on ebay .de or you can cut a spare vent which look pretty good. As well as the A pillar pods there is also a pod which mounts above the steering wheel in front of the clocks.

I personally think the centre vent looks good in the S2 although the A pllar pod is more "line of sight".

I've sent Rusty a pm, hopefully get some good news

Thanks for the link btw, much appreciated! I'm just searching .de ebay now for a vent pod but nothing for S2, only A4's really... Have you had any luck?

[newsh]

Not seeing any at the mo, it's easy enough to make yourself one of these, I've probably got a couple of spare vents knocking about here if you want one.

[s2_bo]

If you do use one of your vents which is prob the best solution atm, its easy to cut the hole in the vent with sheet metal snips but you can also do it with long reach side cutters.

Just mark the appropriate size hole on the fins and snip them out. Its quick and easy. And if you ever decide to move the gauge all you need is a new vent which is readily available.

If you don't fancy t-ing in to the ECU vacuum line you can also run a length of silicone hose via the bulk head straight to the inlet manifold and T in at the back there.
For this you have to take the large cover under the steering wheel off and find your way to the grommets that block the bulkhead holes. Just pock it through there and the rest is pretty easy.

[GrantGam]

Not seeing any at the mo, it's easy enough to make yourself one of these, I've probably got a couple of spare vents knocking about here if you want one.

ECU is underneath the glove box and the tube that I tap the t-piece into is there also I think? And what about electrical connections: I've read about tapping from either the stereo/other gauges? What would you recommend (so I could have the gauge lighting up with the headlights)?

Yeah man that'd be good if you can, I was thinking about cutting into the vent originally, but because I don't have a spare I was going to go with a pod of somekind in case I ruined my vent...

How much do you want for one?

[newsh]

If there's one there you can have it for the postage

ECU is the easy one to tap into for the vac line. Remove the glove box to access this.

I always get the 12v from the glove box light as it's right there and eay to get to.

When you've pulled the vents out you can poke a hole through the left side of the duct, you'll have to take out the flap that closes the air flow to the centre vent to clear the pipe off the back of the gauge. I was reluctant to do this but actually it's never been an issue, I think some people have worked a way of keeping the flap, maybe by using a small gauge and flexible tube, I prefer the semi hard tube as it's less likely to rub through behind the dash. Poke the pipe and the wires through the hole and fish them through, hook it up and you're done.

[GrantGam]

If you do use one of your vents which is prob the best solution atm, its easy to cut the hole in the vent with sheet metal snips but you can also do it with long reach side cutters.

Just mark the appropriate size hole on the fins and snip them out. Its quick and easy. And if you ever decide to move the gauge all you need is a new vent which is readily available.

If you don't fancy t-ing in to the ECU vacuum line you can also run a length of silicone hose via the bulk head straight to the inlet manifold and T in at the back there.
For this you have to take the large cover under the steering wheel off and find your way to the grommets that block the bulkhead holes. Just pock it through there and the rest is pretty easy.

Thanks a lot for the advice You've been a great help!

This might sound totally daft, but is it negilable the difference between where the boost is sourced from? More importantly, if I were to T from just before the ECU, the gauge won't be robbing the ECU of any pressure would it?

[GrantGam]

If there's one there you can have it for the postage

ECU is the easy one to tap into for the vac line. Remove the glove box to access this.

I always get the 12v from the glove box light as it's right there and eay to get to.

When you've pulled the vents out you can poke a hole through the left side of the duct, you'll have to take out the flap that closes the air flow to the centre vent to clear the pipe off the back of the gauge. I was reluctant to do this but actually it's never been an issue, I think some people have worked a way of keeping the flap, maybe by using a small gauge and flexible tube, I prefer the semi hard tube as it's less likely to rub through behind the dash. Poke the pipe and the wires through the hole and fish them through, hook it up and you're done.

Thanks a lot man

As for the removing the flap, I don't think I've ever closed it... If it's cold, I put the heater on and if it's hot I open the window. The flap stays open regardless so I wouldn't miss it.

And the connections to the back of the gauge are simply: live, gnd(-) [from the glove box light] and the pressure input from the tube [T'd from the ECU]? Is it worth me getting a crimping tool and some cable fittings?

[newsh]

You're welcome. Yes that's all the connections, no worries with the ECU pressure, there's no flow. As it's non critical you *could* use scotchlocks, or cut the cables and crimp. I usually just strip a bit of insulation off without cutting through, wrap the new wire round and solder then heat shrink or good quality tape.

[newsh]

Here you go, PM me an address to send it to