Write-Up: Installing Boost Gauge

That sure would have been a nice easy way to hook it up instead of the other location but its not the end of the world. I'll be doing mine in the next week I hope. Just have to get some t fittings and such.

I'm installing a boost gauge, where is the best place to tap into for a boost source?

^ yea, thats me, could not find a write up for this when I searched, disregard.

I tapped into one of the black plastic lines in front of the firewall. That ends up going to a T connector right under the snout of the supercharger.

Recently I've been considering a good location for my Aeroforce Interceptor gauge. I thought about the door vents, A-pillar, lower console, steering column, and a pod on top of the dash. I prefer the locations where I can see the gauge and keep my eyes on the road, and also want to be able to reach the buttons on the gauge easily. I like what turtle did on page 2 of this thread, so will be creating a similar pod that hopefully looks semi-stock. Here's a photo chop of how the gauge will be seen from the driver seat:



The gauge will sit in a bullet-shaped pod sunk in to the column, angled slightly upward. I took a few minutes to model the pod in CAD. I'm going to use this for cutting a foam pattern on CNC lathe:



Cross section:





Cross section:



They way it's shown, the pod looks like it's protruding into the column panel, but it would actually be sanded flat and affixed to the panel (no cuts in OEM plastic), or I might build a custom piece using an extra column panel. This way the gauge cable could be routed through the steering column.

Made some progress on the gauge pod. It got shorter and the shape is more elliptical. I added a recess to the underside to allow an adhesive mount option. Not sure yet if I want to do this or drill holes in my column panel. I sent the 3D file out to be turned, next step will be fitting the part to the column.

Received the pod from the model shop last week. Today I sanded the flat in the bottom and applied 2 coats of filler primer. I'm thinking of gluing the pod to the column with epoxy, routing the wires out the back and down around the left side.

Pretty cool looking. Should look like it belongs.

Thanks. I could've made it look more OEM by removing the upper column cover and building in the pod, repainting the entire part for a molded look, but if you've ever removed the upper cover before, you know how much work is involved. I just couldn't see doing it for a gauge pod. This way should look acceptable, and more importantly the location will still be as functional.

Very nice design indeed nice job and I bet it will look awesome!

Very interseting. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Finally got around to painting. Used an airbrush with color-matched Valspar latex from Lowe's. Cost $3.



Mounted the pod to the column with epoxy. So far, it seems plenty strong.







Routed the wires through the gap.



First test run!

I almost don't believe it's AA's car from the gas level..
Looks good though. and you can still see 0-40mph range on the speedo without moving your head unlike my pod.

That looks pretty good.

Thanks. Here's a daytime shot with car on and fuel level corrected!

what kind of led's are you using for your gauges?

Just the recommended OEM lamps, no LEDs.

Decided to do something about the green color, to make it more closely match the interior. I found some thin blue filter sheet at the local hobby store. A big sheet is $4.50, enough to make quite a few colored discs to insert behind the bezel ring. Tried 3 discs and found it hardly made any difference. Then tried 7, then tried 9!



Using 9 discs, and bumping the dimmer setting up to "3" on the Aeroforce, I got a pretty good result. Only problem: the entire face looked very blue during the day, so printed out a black mask sheet to hide most of the face, so only the display area shows through.

Here's the before:



Here's the after:



Lost a bit of contrast, but it's readable in the car. May need to remove one or two sheets after trying in the daylight.

Looks great! Nice fit n finish.

How's it going? Got a question...in regards to getting a boost reading, what line would I hook a boost gauge to? Not yet interested in a permanent install right now. I know I'm not getting the standard 7-9 psi. but I did want to know exactly what I'm gettin right now. Can anyone help?

Page 5 of this thread has a pic for you.

Rod.G wrote:

How's it going? Got a question...in regards to getting a boost reading, what line would I hook a boost gauge to? Not yet interested in a permanent install right now. I know I'm not getting the standard 7-9 psi. but I did want to know exactly what I'm gettin right now. Can anyone help?

Below the supercharger snout is a vacuum tee with 2 vacuum lines. The back one goes across the rear valve cover. Tee into that line.

LARRY70GS wrote:

Rod.G wrote:

How's it going? Got a question...in regards to getting a boost reading, what line would I hook a boost gauge to? Not yet interested in a permanent install right now. I know I'm not getting the standard 7-9 psi. but I did want to know exactly what I'm gettin right now. Can anyone help?

Below the supercharger snout is a vacuum tee with 2 vacuum lines. The back one goes across the rear valve cover. Tee into that line.

But not if you have the series 1 sc with the m62. In that case use the spot that is in the page 5 of this thread.

Karma wrote:

LARRY70GS wrote:

Rod.G wrote:

How's it going? Got a question...in regards to getting a boost reading, what line would I hook a boost gauge to? Not yet interested in a permanent install right now. I know I'm not getting the standard 7-9 psi. but I did want to know exactly what I'm gettin right now. Can anyone help?

Below the supercharger snout is a vacuum tee with 2 vacuum lines. The back one goes across the rear valve cover. Tee into that line.

But not if you have the series 1 sc with the m62. In that case use the spot that is in the page 5 of this thread.

Absolutely right. I didn't check, and Rod didn't put his year Riviera in a signature.

Now fixed, thanks Rod!

I have been waiting to see a boost gauge installation in the the cd holder location, so far all I have been able to find is window pillar, door air vent, steering column and ashtray... has anyone done this? I dont like to be the first especially where there are cheap little plastic clips involved.