what guages do u have? i am not turbo yet but for x mas i am getting the triple guage pillar pod. and also air/fuel guage and oil pressure guage. the third is left blank for the boost guage that comes with the kit. i will prob. end up getting an egt guage too but is that absolutely necessary? also what else is? and i hear the oil pressure guage is a bitch to hook up. is that true and how about air/fuel? thanks. :wary

I have been doing my install all this weekend. The oil pressure sending unit was a PITA!

I run a Boost gauge, AirFuel Gauge, and EGT gauge. I strongly recommend an EGT gauge. Aside from fuel pressure, you MUST keep your EGT's in check.

I think when it comes to turbos you can never go wrong with too many gauges, if there is such thing as too many. I have 5 inside and the fuel pressure under the hood. The five are:
1. Boost
2. EGT
3. A/F
4. Oil Pressure
5. Water Temp.



http://www.cardomain.com/id/jasvbts2k2

Boost
A/f
EGT
Electric Fuel
Electric oil
Soon Wide ban 02

I have these gauges:

EGT
Boost/Vacuum
Digital air/fuel
Oil pressure

Boost
EGT
Cyberdyne modified A\F gauge from gadgetseller.com
Corbin's digital A\F gauge

Guage hookups will take you some time. It all depends on whether your gauges will be backlit or not. Most electrical gauges have four wires - one for constant power, one for the back light, a ground, and a signal wire. A mechanical gauge such as boost will have 2 electrical (backlit power and ground) and a signal hose. I have the autometer lunar series shown in the picture below (Air/Fuel, EGT, and Boost). I would definitely get an EGT guage as this is one of the best tuning devices (when used with an Air/Fuel guage). If you are running hot, then you know you are lean - lower temperatures you are running rich.

To give you an idea of temperatures:

Idle = 850 degrees
Cruising at 65 mph = 1200 - 1225
Boosting from second till 5,000 rpm in 3rd gear = 1300 - 1350

I rarely ever push the car so hard that exhaust temperatures are over 1400 as I begin to doubt that these higher temperatures are good for the motor (I haven't rebuilt yet)

Another guage to consider is fuel pressure. I did not purchase one because if it is not set right your air/fuel and EGT guage should pick this up. I also tested my fuel pressures with the supplied fuel gauge in the HRC kit by running a hose under the hood and onto the front window. Since I replaced the cartech FPR with the Vortech I don't have too many worries that the pressure will vary.

If you are still trying to decide which gauges to purchase here is a picture of mine. I also have a picture of them at night but I can't access the server it is stored on from work. I can post this later if you want.:

Gauges (Day):

Yes, you WILL NEED AN EGT GAUGE!! Out of all the gauges, it just may be the most important as far as saving your motor goes. As for me, I currently am running these for gauges:

boost
EGT
digital A/F
fuel pressure

If it's one gauge that I keep my eye on 95% of the time, it's the EGT gauge!!!!!

Boost/Vac
EGT
Electric Oil Pressure
Digital A/F

Well I say ditch the A/F guage on the pillar. Your prolly going to want a turbo timer anyway so I would get the apexi that comes with the A/F, and O2 voltage display. The blinkey light's don't do shit for you bro you want the digi readout. Then fill your pillar with boost egt and fuel pressure. Or oil press or water temp, whatever just don't get the blinky A/F guage.

thanks guys u have been very helpful. im gonna have boost air/fuel and oil pressure in the triple pillar pod. then i will get an egt guage, dont know where im gonna mount it. also got a greddy turbo timer and hallman mbc.