cheapest boost gauge setup

[palms]

whats the cheapest way i cant put a boost gauge set up in my car? ive seen dashhawk and another gauge that was like 250 bucks. i was gonna go with the vent pod for 40 bucks, wondering if i can get a gauge for 100, or if im dreaming... im new to a boosted car and i have 0 knowledge about the gauges and what it takes to put them in haha,

thanks

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Vent Pod and ProSport gauge...the gauge is like $40...the pod is about the same. I have that setup and it works just fine.

Lights off:

Lights on:

Walkthrough:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123737944

 

[bradboyd80]

Vent Pod and ProSport gauge...the gauge is like $40...the pod is about the same. I have that setup and it works just fine.

+1. That's probably the cheapest setup you'll find unless you catch a deal on the fs forums.

 

[08cosmic3]

That costs $80+ save your $$$ and get an AP. Power and monitor.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

If he is new to turbo cars (and, it seems, new to modifying cars in general) it might be good to really learn the basics and ease into it (especially with this car). A boost gauge would be a good first project, and is a good thing to have anyway. Nothing too complicated, but a little bit of everything (wiring, plumbing, etc)

 

[stageup]

does that let air thru the vent still? cuz during summer i'd die w/o a/c on the left side

 

[Dark]

Don't put cheap parts on your car regardless of your knowledge on the topic.

Good quality gauges can be purchased for a little more than $100 and it will be worth it in the future. Do it once, do it right.

 

[boosted1]

does that let air thru the vent still? cuz during summer i'd die w/o a/c on the left side

The air passes around the gauge, so the answer is Yes.

 

[Darth Vader]

I did something similar to this to start but if, as you say, you have "zero knowledge" then, the wiring and running of vac tubes to the engine bay is best left not touched by you.

Really, save up and buy a Dashawk, which is basic plug into the OBD2 port next to the steering column. If you can plug in a table lamp, you can handle the install. There's a little computer wisdom needed to download the newest driver software and car-specific PIDs but, you're posting here so, that shouldn't be too hard.

The DH can monitor every feature the ECU can plus, it has a shift light, mileage meter, 0-60 and 1/4 mile timer and a horsepower estimator, plus user-configurable staged alerts for anything you want. I'd say, right up there with a rear motor mount, the DH should be mod #1 for this car.

Be aware the DH software doesn't dig Vista 64/Windows 7 though. I have it on my EEE-PC with XP and it's brilliant. To use 64/7 you'd be best served to get Virtual Machine from Microsoft, load XP and run it that way.

You will have such a boner from the Dashhawk once you get one you'll know why your life was such a pale shadow before.

Buy here:

http://www.protegegarage.com/

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Yes, the DashHawk is a great piece to have with this car...many great features. Simple to install and use. Only downside is the screen is pretty dated (compared to the AP display) and the incompatibility with later versions of Windows.

 

[Darth Vader]

The DH is a better analyser and datalogger than the AP. You can watch more stuff on the DH screen at once plus datalog several PIDs at once. That alone makes it worth its $$$ in my view. The DH probably saved my engine by warning me of an impending doom scenario so, yeah, I'm a fanboi, I admit it.

 

[08cosmic3]

How much does a DH cost now and how much more will get you a used AP and 30 more ponies? It's true the AP is not as good as a DH when it comes to monitoring or data logging but you will probably end up buying an AP anyway so save yourself time and money.

 

[Darth Vader]

Not everybody wants to open the tuning Pandora's box, especially a dude who by his own admission, can't install a boost gauge.

Some of us are just happy maximising the stock tune. DHs are closing in on 200 bucks retail, new. You're going to pay alot more for a used AP than that. Your advice applies to the DH as well, you could look about for a used one of those and save some coin there.

 

[RaiderMS3]

I got a Premium Electric (Electric>manual) Prosport Gauge from protegegarage 2 years ago. It came with a mounting bracket and cup, so only 80 bucks and done. That will do you fine.

 

[bradboyd80]

So does the DH work with vista 32? I'm looking at buying one but all I have is vista 32.

 

[Jdm_Mica]

Don't put cheap parts on your car regardless of your knowledge on the topic.

Good quality gauges can be purchased for a little more than $100 and it will be worth it in the future. Do it once, do it right.

soooo are you saying prosport gauges are s***? I have the premium boost gauge and ventpod and love my setup. I dont see the point to over spend on a boost gauge....

 

[DavidAbraham]

Check out glowshift gauges uts like $40 for a boost gauge, but they only have pillar pods

 

[Kain]

Buy a Prosport and put it in this.

 

[pcpower]

can you use the DashHawk as a digital speedometer? I know some people hate how those look but personally I think the blue backlit speedometers in new civics for example are pretty sweet.

 

[Dark]

soooo are you saying prosport gauges are s***? I have the premium boost gauge and ventpod and love my setup. I dont see the point to over spend on a boost gauge....

Yes. I've read countless posts about the gauges being faulty, inaccurate, and and the plastic used in some of their parts is cheap/breaks easily.

With a higher quality gauge you get accuracy, reliability, and a higher tolerance to damage.