Boost gauge installed.

[dronizm5]

So I finished my boost gauge install. I have an 08' MS3 and I installed a vent pod. Looks sick and the gauge is a mechanical Autometer. I don't know where to tap the power wire so that the gauge only lights up when my lights go on. I checked that thread about the install and looked in my fuse box to tap a fuse and i couldnt find the cigarette light fuse. Unless there is another fuse box I need to find a wire to tap. Any suggestions? Also I am not sure if my car is spiking or not at WOT the gauge reads 18-20 psi and at idle vac of 10 with little to no movement of the needle. I haven't had any vibrations or anything so I am pretty satisfied thus far, except for the electrical part. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[coyfish]

I wired my guage so that it only turns on when i turn my lights on. I connected the power sources to the cig lighter. I didn't follow it to the fuse box. I just wired it right behind the cig lighter itself by splicing the wire.

 

[dronizm5]

Yeah I am probably going to do that as well how did you get to the cig light is there much more to take off??

 

[ms6acton]

pics?

 

[jay32m]

I responded to this in your other thread. Hope it helps.

 

[SpeedKnight]

Just recently installed Prosport mechanical boost with the vent pod. Nice clean install. My buddy said it is the coolest gauge pod he has ever seen. I used fuse taps from radioshack and wired to the cig lighter, radio, and R tail light.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123737944&highlight=gauge

That should help out. It should be the same...just don't worry about the orange or white wire.

 

[Darth Vader]

I tapped into one of the hot connections in the box that doesn't have a fuse in it and ran an inline fuse holder. There are alot of these and they fit a small gauge blade clip perfectly, with a little trimming.

Here's my "controversial" stealth boost gauge install from my early days here at 247(spin)

 

[coyfish]

The cig lighter is easy. You just have to pop off the bottom part of the center console. Remove the first piece (cupholders) by just pulling gently / evenly. The clips pop off relatively easily. Then unscrew your shifter knob and remove the shifter boot part. You will be able to see the back of the cig lighter at that point. There is one "plug" connecting to the cig lighter / ash tray light. It has like 2 screws holding it in. Just take a peak back there and it should be pretty obvious what you need to do. Takes 5 min.

Then I fed my wires back into the console and under the steering wheel (by the OBD port) and into the hood release cable above the wheel well fender and into the front of the car.

But if you already have it in the vent gauge its probably easier to just locate the cig lighter fuse box so you don't have to wire it all the way over.

 

[dronizm5]

Final Result:



I ended up tapping the lights for the illuminated dashboard and it worked out perfectly and it was easy if you get the right tap.

 

[Darth Vader]

Looks good, man

 

[ReadS13]

does your needle shake at high boost, I have the autometer pro comp ultralite and it shakes like a b**** in high boost

 

[Darth Vader]

It's an Autometer, waddya expect? Put something in line to restrict the signal and you'll damp it out some. Accuracy will be unchanged.

 

[MSMS3]

LOL! Mine is just a cheap VDO , I think I paid about $30 bucks for it, but it seems to be immune from that issue.

 

[dronizm5]

does your needle shake at high boost, I have the autometer pro comp ultralite and it shakes like a b**** in high boost

Yeah sometimes when I really get on it the needle will shake a bit, but not too bad. But hey whatever I am just glad it is done the installation was a bit of a pain. Some advice for anyone looking to do this mod, have all of your equipment ready so you don't need to keep going to auto parts store.

 

[Kain]

My Defi is as smooth as silk.

 

[nypz]

^ dammit, now im thinkin i shoulda gone defi instead of the prosport....luckily its not installed yet.

 

[dronizm5]

Personally I am a fan of the mechanical boost gauges, however the electronics look so much better when lit up. I want one, but I think the mechanical gauges give more accurate readings.

 

[mazdaspeed248]

Yeah sometimes when I really get on it the needle will shake a bit, but not too bad. But hey whatever I am just glad it is done the installation was a bit of a pain. Some advice for anyone looking to do this mod, have all of your equipment ready so you don't need to keep going to auto parts store.

Do you have a parts list? i just bought the vent pod with a auto meter carbon fiber series boost/vac gauge

 

[MSP300]

i got 66mm autometer gauge looks good easy to read, i think that the biggest u can go on the vent.
Parts used: T conector, vacume house, add-a-circuit fuse holder for the light,some extra cable to run it to the fuse box and a couple zipties should do the job.