Boost Gauge + Mounting Options

[The_Hawk]

I'm looking at putting in a boost gauge and am looking for options/opinions. I do like the column mount options for their nice clean look, I prefer analog to digital for the gauge itself.

At the moment I'm looking at this setup:

http://www.parts4euro.com/DCShop/product_info.php?products_id=1124{1}182{3}49

With the Spectrum gauge (although I'm not 100% sure which one is correct, multitap or TFSI?)

The alternative is one of the electronic jobs that uses the OBD port to transmit to your iPhone (or android etc) although these seem quite pricey although I like that you can have multiple different gauges as well as the whole stealth install.

Anyone used either and care to comment?

[LunchboxVRS]

If buy analog you mean a pipe running directly from the manifold to the gauge and the gauge measures the boost from the pressure in the hose. They are illegal. you need to have one with a senor connected in the engine bay that sends a electrical signal to the gauge or control unit.
if you just mean having a needle gauge instead of a number read out. then disregaurd. but i agree they do look better.
Have you looked at the p3cars one? i know its digital but it has a lot of functions. P3Cars.com » Catalog » Catalog Products » VW MK6 Vent Integrated Digital Interface
i have a DEFI gauge that i used in my liberty which i will put in the GTIwhen it arrives. i like how it has the sweep on start up and the coulers match the polo dash. also its blacked out when not in use.

[Catfish]

If buy analog you mean a pipe running directly from the manifold to the gauge and the gauge measures the boost from the pressure in the hose. They are illegal.

Why, and since when? Dozens of members on here have this type of boost gauge in all species of turbo VWs, and I'm pretty sure this hasn't beem mentioned before.

[LunchboxVRS]

Your not aloud to have any hose or line from the engine bay that could allow any fuel or engine gasses into the cock pit.
As small as the line might be and however remote the chance of it happening might be. there are old types of dash gauges that are like this but if its factory its ok but you still cant add one like that.
There is a slim chance anyone will find out but im just letting you know.
If i get a spare moment ill search for the reference again.
It stems from people using Fuel pressure gauges in the cab that have fuel running to the back of the gauge. line breaks and hits electrical contacts and bang. Fire. so they banned any direct connection.
they class them as mechanical gauges and can only be mounted out side the cab and some states dont allow gauges on the bonnet like NSW. thes gauges are harder to get theses days. mostly just for hot rods

[Lazarus7]

Get on board with this!!!!

Podi.ca | Gauge solutions for Audi and VW

[LunchboxVRS]

Get on board with this!!!!

Podi.ca | Gauge solutions for Audi and VW

That would look **** hot in a Golf R.

[The_Hawk]

I didn't know about the non pipes through the firewall thing and was planning on running a line... but then the Podi unit looks like it will tick all the right boxes in both looks and legality!

Interesting...

[Pullstarter]

Pricey but nice. Think I'll go with the New South myself.

NewSouth Performance

The multi tap hose replaces the whole factory unit and allows 2 "taps" into it (see first item on the page):

http://www.newsouthperformance.com/tubing.htm

This place seems to be much cheaper for shipping to AU Aaron:

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/

[Ryan_R]

More than happy with my $15 OBDII BT adapter and $4 Torque Android app + a phone holder. Easy to read the customizable displays (choose between digital, dial, half dial, graph, etc readouts) plus you can log readouts and record them as an overlay on top of a video recording of your driving. Not to mention the benefit of certain others not seeing it and making judgements If you've already got Android it's a bit of a must have (or at least must try).

[The_Hawk]

Pricey but nice. Think I'll go with the New South myself.

It was the NewSouth one I was looking at originally the started looking at on parts4euro, they come in at US$150 - US$180 + US$45 shipping. (Depends on which gauge you pick for price).

The NewSouth website prices look about the same although I haven't got into exact shipping costs.

The awesome-gti site comes in at about £103 (~AU$165) shipped, so yes a little cheaper.

The Podi one on the other hand is AU$299 shipped. It does include a couple of extras like peak recall and overboost warning, but at twice the price it's a harder choice to make.

There is a little noise around mechanical vs electric gauges and exactly how accurate they are, but for my needs I don't know that it will be an issue if I went that way.

More than happy with my $15 OBDII BT adapter and $4 Torque Android app + a phone holder. Easy to read the customizable displays (choose between digital, dial, half dial, graph, etc readouts) plus you can log readouts and record them as an overlay on top of a video recording of your driving. Not to mention the benefit of certain others not seeing it and making judgements If you've already got Android it's a bit of a must have (or at least must try).

All the iPhone apps are bloody expensive (unless I missed one) which is a bit of a shame as I would have already just gone down this path

[Ryan_R]

Haha, I've got great selection (ok long list) of apps on my Galaxy S2 and doubt I've spent more than $10 total since most were free or on special. I wonder how much the cheapest suitable Android device would set you back. There are a couple of media players (iPod Touch equivalents) out there.

[rossw]

I didn't know about the non pipes through the firewall thing and was planning on running a line... but then the Podi unit looks like it will tick all the right boxes in both looks and legality!

Interesting...

As far as the pipes thing goes, It's always been true for fuel pressure gauges for obvious fire hazard reasons. I'm not entirely certain if it applies to boost/vacuum or oil. There is a ghetto method of boost control that uses a needle valve to trick the waste gate that wouldn't be legal (at least not cabin mounted) if this is true. If you think about it, the safety risk is minimal, since the line only contains air.

Also my Mini 1100 had a factory oil pressure gauge that was direct acting and had a copper oil line running into the back of the dashboard. If that is not legal then the rules have changed since 1971.

As I said if there is a blanket ban then the risk analysis involved was pretty poor.

[masev]

More than happy with my $15 OBDII BT adapter and $4 Torque Android app + a phone holder. Easy to read the customizable displays (choose between digital, dial, half dial, graph, etc readouts) plus you can log readouts and record them as an overlay on top of a video recording of your driving. Not to mention the benefit of certain others not seeing it and making judgements If you've already got Android it's a bit of a must have (or at least must try).

I might actually try this! Where did you source the OBDII BT adapter from Ryan?

Thanks
Sash

[Ryan_R]

Got this one as per another VWW members recommendation:
ELM327 OBD2 OBDII V1.4 Bluetooth Diagnostic Interface | eBay

Looks OEM to me


Also handy for video recordings.. everything is customizable:

[masev]

Haha...just the look I'm after!

Thanks for that!