Who's right Westach/Autometer

[SKargo]

I recently ripped out all my gauges, it was quite a clusteryouknowwhat, with my 3 gauge dashtop AND 2 gauge pillar setup as seen in my gallery, gotta love PO's



Anyway, I replaced the boost/egt/trans temp with an X-monitor a couple weeks ago, and I love it.

I had a white faced Westach FP gauge that didn't match my factory gauges. I decided to replace it with an Autometer Z series FP gauge that came from Geno's(awesome BTW) in the mail today. I used the steering pod mount.

Install was extremely easy, although I need to switch it's power to a "dimmered" source.



However, the point of the thread is the discrepency between the gauge readings.

The Westach NEVER went under 20 psi, since the FASSII install.

The Autometer on the other hand, is showing 16 psi at idle.



Which do you think is telling the truth?

 

[Joe G.]

I really doubt 16 PSI at idle.

 

[blacksheep4x4]

I always thought Autometer was a fairly repuitible company and put out a very accurate gauge. Heck just about anybody who is anybody runs thier gauges in thier race cars. However I am questioning my Autometer boost gauge. It seems to sit at zero boost alot of the time I'm driving around town, until I start to put my foot in it. The Banks Dynafact gauge I have in my '03 has always read some boost (atleast 5-10 psi) when driving around town.

 

[rowilson]

I recall a few years ago there was some testing done on gauges and their accuracy and if I recall correctly Autometer was at or near the bottom and Westach near or at the top. This was on the Buick GN & T-Type site. I would trust Westach as they make certified aviation gauges. Just my . 02.

 

[SKargo]

I really doubt 16 PSI at idle.

Why? The westach said 20 at idle.

I have a FASSII.

 

[SKargo]

I always thought Autometer was a fairly repuitible company and put out a very accurate gauge. Heck just about anybody who is anybody runs thier gauges in thier race cars. However I am questioning my Autometer boost gauge. It seems to sit at zero boost alot of the time I'm driving around town, until I start to put my foot in it. The Banks Dynafact gauge I have in my '03 has always read some boost (atleast 5-10 psi) when driving around town.

My banks I just removed said 0 boost unless I was getting on it. My X-monitor does the same, if I'm just cruising 0 boost, or a fraction of 1 psi.



As for the westach I had, it had a weird short. At idle, with the lights off, it was at 20 psi, when I flipped the gauge lights on, it went up to 23-24.

 

[Joe G.]

Why? The westach said 20 at idle.

I have a FASSII.

It takes burning fuel to make boost. At idle you are not burning much fuel so very little boost if any. The fuel supply system should have no affect on boost at idle.

 

[SKargo]

It takes burning fuel to make boost. At idle you are not burning much fuel so very little boost if any. The fuel supply system should have no affect on boost at idle.

yeah um, I am talking about fuel pressure, not boost.



Boost came up a few posts into this thread. I edited my first post to clarify, sorry for the confusion.

 

[RustyJC]

This situation is why many critical industrial engines and turbines use "voting logic" in their control systems. Voting logic measures each critical parameter with 3 sensors. A trip is not initiated until 2 of the 3 sensors say that the parameter is out of bounds.



Based on this, one method to know for sure is to measure the fuel pressure with a 3rd gauge that you know to be accurate. Of course, if you have access to a dead weight tester, you could find out as well.



Rusty