Installing Gauges

[micronesia]

I have an 08 Speed 3 GT.

I was thinking about adding a boost gauge, so I started reading up on it. The first question is how difficult of a job is this to do yourself? Is this too ambitious if you haven't modified your car before? I found the guide on this forum for installing the boost gauge into the driver side vent, but will the steps be the same if you are mounting it next to the A pillar or over the center console (save the vent/mounting parts)?

I found the following for mounting options... does the vent location interfere with AC? Any of these three choices bad?:

Driver Side Vent:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/WRXD/gauge install/24.jpg

Next to A Pillar:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/arodr260/2011-09-29_09-27-31_865.jpg

3 slot part from http://www.gaugepods.com/mazda.html :
http://www.gaugepods.com/mazda3.jpg

I also saw one in front of the speedometer but I don't like blocking my view there.

Is it worth considering any other gauges besides a boost gauge? Also, which type of boost gauge is recommended?

Thanks a lot.

 

[b e z]

I installed the vent pod gauge myself, well me and a buddy. We also installed other mods on my car as well, TIP, intake, short shift plate. With that said the gauge was the hardest to do, and I followed the write up on how to install. Taking apart the dash is easy, our hardest part was finding what wire to tap into to get power. Granted we did this install out in the cold last year in December haha. I think it depends on how much you have tinkered with before. Absolutely nothing before, then I would have someone help that knows how.

 

[micronesia]

Thanks for the reply. My dad is an electrical engineer who sometimes redoes wiring on his car so if I get stuck I can have him help me haha.

I'm thinking I'll homebrew my own display instead of buying a gauge and mount it over the center console.

 

[b e z]

I really like the triple gauge pod that sits where the nav is in the gt models, problem with that is the pod is expensive and it seems harder to install than the vent pod.

 

[b e z]

^?

 

[micronesia]

Yeah, it's not just a matter of stapling the pod on top of the dash; you have to cut holes to make clearance for the backs of the gauges. I'd rather just attach a unit directly on top with a couple of screw holes or something similar... I don't like the idea of cutting into the dash to make big holes.

 

[boosted1]

The vent pod is the least invasive and still allows air to pass through.

 

[micronesia]

Thanks boosted1, that looks good! How do you know which gauges will/won't be compatible with it?

edit: "The VentPod will fit any standard 2-1/16 inch (52mm) gauge. The unit is low profile and designed to match the interior of the vehicle."

 

[b e z]

This whole time I was thinking of my gauge pod and completely ignoring that you said vent pod. my pod is on the defrost vent on the drivers side. A local member was selling the pods and it fits perfect. It requires no cutting that I remember. The thread is below.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123753844-GB-Defrost-vent-pod-for-mazda6-mazdaspeed6

 

[rsvinylgraphics]

CP-E makes a gauge pod that installs above the vent...

 

[micronesia]

Winter is finally over so I'm starting to get ready to do this! I think I'm going to go ahead with the vent pod boosted1 suggested. From what I read installation is a bit of a pain... you may need to sand down the vent interior a bit, and you may need to wrap a 52mm gauge with electrical tape a bit, but these problems aren't too bad.

I need to decide which sensor/gauge to get... my goal is to make the gauge look as stock as possible (aside from the fact that no car manufacturer would put a gauge in the middle of an active air conditioning vent). The series of gauge used in the How to Install Boost Gauge into Driver's Vent guide is discontinued, and he was also using a larger gauge than I would need.

What turbo gauges (including sensor) are still available, come in 52mm, and actually match the color scheme of the MS3 dash?

 

[Installshield 2]

your initial question about difficulty: gauge fitment in the interior is far harder than any of the wiring or sensor related stuff...I had never done this kind of work (other than a few random stereo installations) until literally last night...and it was a breeze...

but again, getting everything to look 'natural' in the interior, you'll spend more time messing around with that than any of the mechanical stuff...I didn't do a boost gauge, just oil pressure and temp (in a p5, not a 3) with an analog clock...but its all relative, wires are wires...

I bought all gauge kits from speedhut.com GREAT customer service, and you can cheaply customize to the nth degree (back lit lettering, illumination color, needle type and sweep, fonts, etc.)...my analog clock is a bit off calibration wise, but they've been very quick to help out with that so far...

 

[micronesia]

Thanks Installshield 2. I see what you mean about the easy/sophisticated customization options. A gauge+sensor is looking like $170. Is that roughly the going rate for this item?

 

[Installshield 2]

^^you can probably find a gauge that is the same functionaly for a little less, but considering all but custom lettering is free from speedhut...Its definitely the cheapest option for a very close to stock looking gauge...

here is a test fitment pic during my installation, just to see how well the single din bezel snaps in...the gauge illumination is literally identical to the factory color, so i'll try to get a night pic when i get a chance. I played around with the bezel, font, light up color, needle color, needle design, and a few other things...for no charge over the standard gauge price...very high quality sensors and wiring included also...not trying to sound like a commercial, but i've been happy with these so far.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9wG_iZEqPQNZGJKOFo2RFdZeGc/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9wG_iZEqPQNYlNoN1FyRFhMbW8/edit?usp=sharing

 

[micronesia]

Is it just the camera angle, or is the left gauge rotated very slightly counterclockwise from vertical? Looks nice though.

BTW how many psi do you get out of the stock turbo? Is 20 enough for the gauge's max?

edit: According to the mazdaspeed forums stock is 15.6PSI... I don't think I'll ever be going over 20.

 

[speed3 britz]

This is what I used. CP-E Triple dash pod (No cutting holes at all, replacement part), Prosport gauges (Boost, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp). Prosport makes nice gauges that match MS3 interior and reasonably priced with sensors.

http://prosportgauges.com/clear-lens-series.aspx

 

[intehface]

Let me know how this turns out Micro, I was considering either 3 gauges on the A piller, or just mounting the cobb AP. Pics please!!

 

[speed3 britz]

Let me know how this turns out Micro, I was considering either 3 gauges on the A piller, or just mounting the cobb AP. Pics please!!

A-pillar gauge pods are not recommend due to side curtain airbags inside the pillar. Vent or dash pods are a better choice and safer if an accident.

 

[Installshield 2]

Is it just the camera angle, or is the left gauge rotated very slightly counterclockwise from vertical? Looks nice though.

BTW how many psi do you get out of the stock turbo? Is 20 enough for the gauge's max?

edit: According to the mazdaspeed forums stock is 15.6PSI... I don't think I'll ever be going over 20.

That was just a test fitting before I wired them. None of them were straight, and for final fitment I rearranged the outer gauges. I finished the work with very pour lighting in the rain, so haven't taken finished pics yet.

 

[intehface]

A-pillar gauge pods are not recommend due to side curtain airbags inside the pillar. Vent or dash pods are a better choice and safer if an accident.

Wow I am really glad you told me that. I didnt even think about the airbags. Thanks!