Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Can I tee off of the boost elbow port and run a boost gauge?

[Chace TX]

I just had a thought last night on how to do quick easy boost gauge install's. Hope this is not an old subject. Seems like you could screw a tee into the turbo, and hook a gauge line to one fitting and the elbow to the other. Just a thought.

 

[curatchko]

Yes you can do this. That is how I have my gauge hooked up.



Just a word of warning, do not use Nylon tubing if it's off the turbo. The heat will melt it. Use copper.



Chris

 

[Chace TX]

Thanks

Where did you get your brass fittings?

 

[curatchko]

Any hardware store should have the fittings.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

This is not a reccomended place to get your boost readings from. If you were to have a boost leak in the pipeing you would not know right away since your reading is at the turbo, not at the intake manifold which is your true boost reading.

Do yourself a favor and drill and tap the intake horn. Its a 30 minutes job that requires just a drill and a tap and you will get much more accurate readings. Do a search and you will find several threads on this topic in regards to how it is done.

 

[dresslered]

I would also agree with EMDDIESEL's approach. You could have quite a leak at the intake horn and not notice it back at the turbo. Monitor what the engine is seeing.

 

[curatchko]

I'm don't agree with that. If you look at the 'pressurized system' as a whole, a decrease in pressure will not be in a local area, it will be throughout the entire system.



Either way, everyone has their own methods, I just chose the easiest route.



Chris

 

[EMDDIESEL]

If your intercooler becomes plugged, you will never know if your boost gauge is mounted at the turbo. It will be showing a lot higher boost then your engine is actually getting. Then your EGT's will rise and you will not know what is wrong. That is only one example of why things should be done properly, especially in regards to protecting a $4,000 engine. Your engine is'nt worth 30 minutes and a $3. 00 gasket?.

I understand some ways to do things are easy, but it does'nt make them right.

 

[curatchko]

As I said, everyone has their own methods. Installing the gauge is more than the factory felt was necessary so any method of the installation is better than none at all. I had considered drilling and tapping the intake or even teeing off the map sensor but just didn't feel it was necessary... maybe down the road I'll see it differently, but it's really not that big a deal. The original question was if the could be done and yes, it can, and it will be reliable... . short of a 'plugged intercooler', at which point there are other problems going on.

 

[phoekema]

Boost Connection

I may be missing something, but when I hooked up my boost gage, I simply unscrewed a pipe plug in the intake manifold. My boost gage from TST products had an adapter for that application. Re: location, I agree that the intake is the best overall location for it.

 

[curatchko]

Actually I didn't even know there was a plug in the intake... I'll have to have a look again.



Thanks,



Chris

 

[Bob Wagner]

dont use the turbo

That the wrong approach



Take the little extra time to do it right

 

[EMDDIESEL]

There is a plug by the map sensor that can be used, but you may have gauge "Flutter" and buzzing since its so close to one of the cylinders. Sometimes it works fine, sometimes it does'nt. The best place is to drill and tap the intake. No chance of gauge trouble and no dip in boost under acceleration.

 

[curatchko]

Where is the best place to do this on the intake? What about the air horn?

 

[Bob Wagner]

back of airhorn works great or piers sells a boost fitting thats easy to install





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[EMDDIESEL]

The "Air horn" is the large aluminum square tube that feeds the intake manifold. Its where the last rubber clamp is connected to. You remove it, drill and tap a hole in the back (Facing the firewall) and and hook your boost hose for the gauge up there. Just be sure and replace the intake horn gasket (I dont remember the P/N) but its in the parts book or any DC dealer with a brain can get ot for you.

 

[Chace TX]

I just drilled and tapped the intake.

It was easy enough, I already had what I needed. I used to use the 1/8" npt hole in the head on the 12 valve engines. I think the port on these 24 valves are 3/4" I just didn't want to mess with a reducer etc. The tapped air intake is a clean install.