Stock boost gauge upgrade

  • Thread starter MisterTurbineTwister
  • Start date
M

MisterTurbineTwister

Guest
I remember seeing something before the site was trashed about upgrading the factory boost gauge to a factory looking aftermarket unit. Does anyone have any information on this?

I would love to do this to my car, as the factoy gauge only reads 4lbs of boost where my vacuum/psi gauge set, when hooked up to the port where the turbo pressure sensor is, reads 2+psi more. Not to mention that I get constant maximum vacuum readout, even when I have the pressure sensor disconnected from the manifold line.

I obviously want to go with a full mechanical gauge, but I would love to retain the stock look and location. I would put a voltmeter in it's place, but I'd rather just keep the boost meter where it is and not have a cluttered dash. I'm not going for the performance interior look.

Can anyone tell me where to get the face/needle and boost meter for this conversion?

I'd also like to see some pics of it (I remember seeing the needle in a different spot on the gauge, but I would like to save the image)

Thanks!
 
GrimJack

GrimJack

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Dec 31, 1969
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I am one of the people who has done this, although I opted to not print out a new face to match the stock gauges. Ron R. is the pioneer of the matching gauge faces.

Here's a pic of mine.
boostgauge.jpg


I'll warn you right up front, this is a PITA to do. I purchased a 52mm autometer mechanical boost gauge, stripped off the housing, front bezel, glass, etc, then pulled my dash apart, yanked out the stock unit, and got creative with a dremel and a hot glue gun.

Ron, IIRC, printed off a few gauge faces and went through the extra effort of pulling off the needle, gluing the new gauge face on and replacing the needle in the right location.

Even just running the boost signal hose is a PITA, because there isn't enough room back there, so you end up being creative or pinching the hose. Or both.

Still, it can certainly be done, it's just a matter of how badly you want it. :)
 
M

MisterTurbineTwister

Guest
Making things go where they aren't intended to is a familiar process with my job. Fitting 1 7/8" primary into 3" collector headers on a Mopar A body requires removing the starter, center link, disconnecting the motor mounts and lifting the engine 4" on each side to slide the tubes in place.

I will make it work, even if I have to use a hole saw and a bag full of vacuum elbow fittings.

I would just like to know how much the custom printed gauge face costs and if I can get one. I would also like to know what kind of boost gauge to buy (what range of PSI and degree of needle swing).

Thanks for the pic
 
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