MS3... is a boost gauge or turbo timer really necessary?

[blue2turbo]

I am looking into continuing to upgrade obviously, intake is just not enough. On all previous turbo cars I have upgraded in my life, a boost gauge was crucial early on, but normally only because a boost controller was in use to unleash some extra PSI. Now I don't plan to adjust the factory boost, simply because I definitely don't want to void the warranty. So seeing that I will probably in the long run do an Intake, turboback exhaust, and I/C upgrade... would a boost gauge be totally necessary?

As for the turbo timer, it was another thing that I always installed almost immediately, but I have searched and read and there are distinct stands both for and against a turbo timer. I don't drive the car terribly hard right now, and I normally finish my drive home by sitting in at least 1 or 2 stop lights for a good 30+ seconds, then I usually sit another 30 seconds when I get home, this doesn't bother me in the slightest, so anyone else think that a turbo timer would be necessary?

Thanks!

 

[zumzumzoom03]

I am looking into continuing to upgrade obviously, intake is just not enough. On all previous turbo cars I have upgraded in my life, a boost gauge was crucial early on, but normally only because a boost controller was in use to unleash some extra PSI. Now I don't plan to adjust the factory boost, simply because I definitely don't want to void the warranty. So seeing that I will probably in the long run do an Intake, turboback exhaust, and I/C upgrade... would a boost gauge be totally necessary?

As for the turbo timer, it was another thing that I always installed almost immediately, but I have searched and read and there are distinct stands both for and against a turbo timer. I don't drive the car terribly hard right now, and I normally finish my drive home by sitting in at least 1 or 2 stop lights for a good 30+ seconds, then I usually sit another 30 seconds when I get home, this doesn't bother me in the slightest, so anyone else think that a turbo timer would be necessary?

Thanks!

I'd say yes to the boost gauge. If something goes wrong with your turbo and you don't have a boost gauge you may never know. The only way to determine if the turbo is working properly w/o a gauge is by the butt dyno and that can lie to you.

Turbotimer I heard is not neccessary. I believe the turbo is cooled by coolant and turbos that use this method do not need a turbo timer installed. If you do decide to get one though, I would recomend getting an alarm with one built into the alarm. Otherwise it's annoying to lock up your car when it's still running.

 

[Kansei]

Yeah the water cooling means you don't need a turbo timer. Convection currents keep the coolant flowing after the car is shut off, effectively cooling the turbo. I wouldn't shut the engine off like 2 seconds after being at full boost for a long time, but you get the idea

As for the boost gauge, I wouldn't ever want to drive a turbo car without one. All it takes is a vacuum line to break or a diaphragm to wear out and all of a sudden the car will feel really nice and fast, then POP goes the engine because you were spiking like 25psi (wastegate stuck closed). It's cheap insurance and lets you better know how your car is running. I would recommend a wideband, oil pressure, and boost gauge for any turbo car.

 

[blue2turbo]

As for the boost gauge, I wouldn't ever want to drive a turbo car without one. All it takes is a vacuum line to break or a diaphragm to wear out and all of a sudden the car will feel really nice and fast, then POP goes the engine because you were spiking like 25psi (wastegate stuck closed). It's cheap insurance and lets you better know how your car is running. I would recommend a wideband, oil pressure, and boost gauge for any turbo car.

That is exactly why I am leary, I had a boost controller on my first swap in my MR2, but it was not properly hooked up, and next thing I know BAM as I hit 24psi and lost cylinder #3. I would like to also get the oil pressure, but right now there are no affordable, clean gauge pods out for the speed3 that I can find, so I figure i will install the boost gauge, and later on down the road get the oil pressure, and if I end up doing some fuel tuning, I will throw in a wideband.

I guess the turbo timer is some money I can save to upgrade the rear motor mount and shifter bushings instead.(drive2)

 

[matsuda]

As for the boost gauge, I wouldn't ever want to drive a turbo car without one. All it takes is a vacuum line to break or a diaphragm to wear out and all of a sudden the car will feel really nice and fast, then POP goes the engine because you were spiking like 25psi (wastegate stuck closed).

The ECU can sense an overboost condition (much faster than a human can) if there was a problem with the wastegate.

 

[ALIEN3T]

the manual says "let the car cool down for 30 seconds after spirited driving"

so basically get out get your stuff, then shut car down!
and yeah alot of alarms are coming with it built in. and the price for the alarm still isnt to bad.

 

[matsuda]

It's no problem because I don't do "spirited driving" in a parking lot and it takes me at least 30 seconds to find a good spot.

 

[yakov456]

So is the opinion here that its okay not to have a boost gauge? I am only planning minor mods and I really dont beat on my car at all. Thanks for the help, I am totally new to a turbo.

 

[SharkDiver]

So is the opinion here that its okay not to have a boost gauge? I am only planning minor mods and I really dont beat on my car at all. Thanks for the help, I am totally new to a turbo.

Get a boost gauge but not a timer.

 

[blue2turbo]

So is the opinion here that its okay not to have a boost gauge? I am only planning minor mods and I really dont beat on my car at all. Thanks for the help, I am totally new to a turbo.

No, the opinion is that a turbo timer is not necessary as long as you don't run the hell out of it and just instantly shut it off. A boost gauge is a necessity for pretty much any turbo vehicle, I am surprised Mazda didn't put something in the Speed3, even if it was a lame regular gauge, something at least.

 

[qwertyspeed3]

No, the opinion is that a turbo timer is not necessary as long as you don't run the hell out of it and just instantly shut it off. A boost gauge is a necessity for pretty much any turbo vehicle, I am surprised Mazda didn't put something in the Speed3, even if it was a lame regular gauge, something at least.

I don't recall the Speed6 having a boost gauge either. But i may be wrong. (huh)

 

[Ryz]

Since when is the turbo water cooled? I have better things to do than sit in my car when I get someplace and wait. I installed a combo TT/Boost gauge and am happy with it.

 

[jred321]

neither a boost gauge nor a turbo timer will be useful to you. save your money.

 

[jred321]

Since when is the turbo water cooled?

since car manufacturers figured out that the average person is a moron and won't let the turbo idle properly which will end up costing them money in warranty repairs if they don't do it

 

[ptperformance]

I am looking into continuing to upgrade obviously, intake is just not enough. On all previous turbo cars I have upgraded in my life, a boost gauge was crucial early on, but normally only because a boost controller was in use to unleash some extra PSI. Now I don't plan to adjust the factory boost, simply because I definitely don't want to void the warranty. So seeing that I will probably in the long run do an Intake, turboback exhaust, and I/C upgrade... would a boost gauge be totally necessary?

As for the turbo timer, it was another thing that I always installed almost immediately, but I have searched and read and there are distinct stands both for and against a turbo timer. I don't drive the car terribly hard right now, and I normally finish my drive home by sitting in at least 1 or 2 stop lights for a good 30+ seconds, then I usually sit another 30 seconds when I get home, this doesn't bother me in the slightest, so anyone else think that a turbo timer would be necessary?

Thanks!

If your going to continue to mod then yes your going to need to monitor the boost pressure as well as vacuum. The turbo timer can be done by the person driving, just give it 2 minutes everytime you park the car, make a call, clean the car out a little, ??? Just take the time yourself vs installing the turbo timer. (I am biased because all turbo timers seem to break after 12 months of use).

 

[desperado-c]

So is the opinion here that its okay not to have a boost gauge? I am only planning minor mods and I really dont beat on my car at all. Thanks for the help, I am totally new to a turbo.

A boost gauge is only necessary if you want any sense at all of what the hell your turbo is doing and when it's doing it. If you don't care, you don't need it.

 

[clos561]

im going to get one jsut for extra light show..but all honesty it isnt necessary unless u get piggy back ecu or something that changes boost..and turbo timer isnt needed because its water and oil cooled like everyone said...(group)

 

[SwampAss]

boost gauges are good to monitor vacuum. not a big deal now but as your car ages, lines crack, fittings leaks, and rubber degrades. I know my car should idle @ 19 vaccum. If it starts creeping up to say 17 or 16, I know I need to track down a leak somewhere. It's a useful thing. Atleast it was on my golf.