2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Boost Gauge really Necessary?

[dmcowboy]

I am getting ready to install EGT and trans Temp gauges in my 98 - 12 valve. I am adding other toys to get me to around 300 hp and 650 ft. lbs of torque. Is the boost gauge really necessary? I really don't see the point, after all the boost either works or it doesn't, whereas monitoring the EGT and transmission temps have a very significant purpose.



Am I missing something?



thanks.

 

[BTighe]

dont need it but its nice to have. if your playing with the pump and want to push more fuel its nice to know your not trying to get 40lbs out of a stock turbo. if 300 is all your after, i wouldnt worry. i used mine to try to keep my mpgs up. i would putt around town trying not to break 10lbs of boost. just gives you an idea on how hard the engine is working. they are fairly cheap and it doesnt really add too much clutter to the pillar so why not? on my last 12v i put an 11 plate in the 215hp pump and couldnt hit 1200* towing 5k. the numbers would be about what your looking for. that being the case im going to **** everyone off here and say you dont really need guages unless you tow.

i see it like buying new wheels and tires but passing on the center caps. you could set one in temporarly, load the truck as much as you plan too, hit the biggest hill you can find, then if your ok with what it says pull it out. i guess it all depends on personal preference. i put guages on a stock truck just cause i like to see whats going on.

 

[WStephens]

I use mine to see how hard the motor is working and when used together you can also see if your in the right gear. I see you have an automatice which I had in my last truck and it seem to always shift to soon so that it was below peak torque when it up shifted and would not down shift. With both gauges you can tell by the amount of boost and EGT if you are in the right gear if your temps and your boost is low while under load than you are in to high a gear and your rpms are most likely to low. More are the lower your EGTs are.

 

[HBarlow]

As previous posters replied, no, you don't NEED a boost gauge but you will WANT one.

If you watch the forum you'll see that when someone posts a question asking for help diagnosing poor engine performance that has recently developed on a truck that previously ran strong the first question members will ask him is what is his maximum boost.

It is the single best and clearest way to determine instantly if your engine is capable of reaching peak power. If a MAP sensor, fuel transfer pump, or other component is failing a boost gauge will tell you.

 

[Joe G.]

I use mine as noted above for telling me how hard the engine is working. It's also a trouble shooting aid. Low boost can indicate a problem. In my case, I had a funny noise that occurred only at 11 PSI boost or more. Turned out to be a torn intercooler boot.

 

[SRadke]

At minimum you'll need one to get it tuned. After that you could take it out. Personally, I have 3 plus a drive pressure gauge. I want to know what it's doing.

-Scott

 

[RossCo]

I have one now - I wish I had one sooner. I had a line to the turbo go. I had no power. The nimrods at 3 different dealerships could not figure it out. they replaced the fuel filter and checked all the fuel lines - no joy. I spent over $300 before they found the line that was blown - it was less than $1. If I had the boost gauge then it would have been easier / faster to find.

Paul

 

[DieselDoghouse]

What RossCo said (and Joe G) no you don't need BUT - after a long day at work I'M ALMOST HOME and there's a noise like a rabid vacuum cleaner - truck's running OK so I hit the pedal. When boost ONLY went 5# (instead of 35#) I knew I had a loose intercooler boot - before I even got home and out of the truck!! You choose but can be a real time-saver.

 

[dmcowboy]

Thanks guys for the input. I'm trying to save some cash but maybe the 60 bucks for the gauge is being too cheap, even for me. I'll guess I get one, otherwise i expect I'll wish I had sometime down the road.

Thanks again.