How accurate is your boost guage??
- Thread starter gboromsp
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t3ase said:
Need one of these to make an AM a/f guage into a wideband:
http://www.plxdevices.com/NB_WB_GaugeConv.htm
BTW, I've used Autometer guages in my '93 RX-7 (boost/vac, water temp, a/f) and in my MSP (boost/vac, oil pressure). I've never had a problem and they were always accurate when compared to additional readings.
The people who claim Autometer guages are total crap, inaccurate, etc... are usually "guage snobs" who need to justify spending $150 on a "pretty" guage. Just say you like the looks of the Defi or whatever and be happy with life. It's your money, and you can spend it on whatever you like.
I'd hazard to guess that the higher % of guage failures being Autometer is because everybody and their brother uses them. I've probably seen 10X more Autometer guages being used than all others combined.
The people who claim Autometer guages are total crap, inaccurate, etc... are usually "guage snobs" who need to justify spending $150 on a "pretty" guage. Just say you like the looks of the Defi or whatever and be happy with life. It's your money, and you can spend it on whatever you like.
I'd hazard to guess that the higher % of guage failures being Autometer is because everybody and their brother uses them. I've probably seen 10X more Autometer guages being used than all others combined.
There will always be people defending Autometer because they've "never" had issues. You see 10X more Autometer because they're cheaply priced. People want to spend money on performance or appearance, and most care a bit less about monitoring.cthomp21 said:
Gauge snob or not, I buy quality safety products, and a gauge is considered a safety product when used correctly.
This entire argument has gone on and on not only about gauges but other items like eBay "racing seats", harnesses, etc.
Some things are better not to go cheap on, IMO. There are plenty of other areas in car modding you can go less expensive with.
A gauge is bought to allow the user to have accurate measurements of whatever is needed, not a cheap "almost accurate".
I'd say a lot of the "tuning community" aren't about tuning in an exact measurement, which explains why they mix and match parts they buy all of the time. Not many consider more than the HP or Dyno numbers marketing the products. Some however, analyse the parts, not to figure out how much power it gives but how it increases the engine's effeciency. Not all products that add power actually HELP the engine do it's job better or easier. However, with the right marketing and price, it's sold.
Those some that buy parts not based on numbers but how it helps or improves performance overall are the ones that would buy a good gauge.
Remember, we're not talking about a wrist watch where a Rolex does the same as a Walmart holiday special. Maybe some of you out there think a gauge is a gauge is a gauge.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
huh? u cant be serious. sometimes you DO pay for the name. but besides that were not comparing sunpro to Defi. I bet my gauges are spot on and will continue to be for a long time. I say buy what u like but dont tell me what i do and do now know about quality cause of the brand of gauge i choose(within reason of course). Buy the sunpro or no frills s*** cause it glows 7 colors, fine then i can agree with u.
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t3ase said:
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This thread was about how accurate they are, not whose guages are better. I know for a fact that my autometer boost guage is not correct. When running 11 psi the guage reads just over 13, when running 8 the guage reads exactly 10psi. I've got a great innovate wideband, i just need to get a boost guage that reads correctly.
I guess the AVC-R could be off.. I've compared it to now three AM gauges that all read different than it.
Maybe my 'constant' in this experiment is the variable.
BTW, that reply wasnt directed at you terbow, moreso the general audience and it was moreso a rant than a reply. I'm highly opinionated when it comes to car parts, so that speaks quite loudly at times.
Maybe my 'constant' in this experiment is the variable.
BTW, that reply wasnt directed at you terbow, moreso the general audience and it was moreso a rant than a reply. I'm highly opinionated when it comes to car parts, so that speaks quite loudly at times.
oh i know. . im at work in a cubicle for 10 hrs a day, i didnt mean to sound testy 
When i went to the dyno we hooked up one of their mechanical ones and it was even (as i can tell, mine doesnt count by 1's in terms of psi). Then again mine uses a map sensor, I dont like the mechanical gauges cause theres so much room for error with that long tube that kinks.
When i went to the dyno we hooked up one of their mechanical ones and it was even (as i can tell, mine doesnt count by 1's in terms of psi). Then again mine uses a map sensor, I dont like the mechanical gauges cause theres so much room for error with that long tube that kinks.
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- Titanium MazdaSpeed Protege
how accurate is the read out on a profec b spec 2?
electronics are exact eh? Like our coolant temp sensor, or speedo, or even tach? Come on, theres a chance they could all be off. Im not doubting ur experiment, but using the word exact is a lil overboard. Dont u think?
p.s. still at work. nothing better to do.
p.s. still at work. nothing better to do.
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Negative. That's what this whole debate is kinda about.
The AVC-R is a specialized piece of equipment created, used, and maintained to control boost. It was made for exact measurements and control of the solenoid made specifically for it.
It's going to be accurate, as that's it's sole responsibility. You pay out the ass for that assurance.
The stock gauges are made for average consumers, who really don't give a **** about their car as long as it starts, runs and gets them to their destination. Most also want a working radio. They're idiot gauges. They'll show just enough to provide a level of "oh, okay, sure" assurance for those folks. They're no where near accurate, and that makes it to Mazda, incredibly cheap costwise. When you start getting in to exotic cars, the monitoring changes. There are less "passive" gauges and more "active" gauges, which is what most exotic car owners want; the total thrill of driving.
Okay, I'll step off that for a bit and agree somewhat to your reply. From what I recall looking through the manual, I think they specify that it's within .1 lesser or greater than actual value, or something like that. So literal dead on, no, as your point makes. It's technically extremely hard to be dead on with electronics, but the median inaccurancy rate is so mundane, it's basically dead on.
Now, if DSMConvert were to add boost control to the AFC unit, it may or may not be as accurate, seeing as how control of boost would be a second nature function. It may also be bad ass, but that takes time and skill, good electronics, labor, research, etc which all increase the price. Then we're back in the cheap vs expensive debate.
The AVC-R is a specialized piece of equipment created, used, and maintained to control boost. It was made for exact measurements and control of the solenoid made specifically for it.
It's going to be accurate, as that's it's sole responsibility. You pay out the ass for that assurance.
The stock gauges are made for average consumers, who really don't give a **** about their car as long as it starts, runs and gets them to their destination. Most also want a working radio. They're idiot gauges. They'll show just enough to provide a level of "oh, okay, sure" assurance for those folks. They're no where near accurate, and that makes it to Mazda, incredibly cheap costwise. When you start getting in to exotic cars, the monitoring changes. There are less "passive" gauges and more "active" gauges, which is what most exotic car owners want; the total thrill of driving.
Okay, I'll step off that for a bit and agree somewhat to your reply. From what I recall looking through the manual, I think they specify that it's within .1 lesser or greater than actual value, or something like that. So literal dead on, no, as your point makes. It's technically extremely hard to be dead on with electronics, but the median inaccurancy rate is so mundane, it's basically dead on.
Now, if DSMConvert were to add boost control to the AFC unit, it may or may not be as accurate, seeing as how control of boost would be a second nature function. It may also be bad ass, but that takes time and skill, good electronics, labor, research, etc which all increase the price. Then we're back in the cheap vs expensive debate.
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