Should and Shouldn't do(s) with turbo cars

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:18 pm

LOL...

Well the SP doesn't actually come with any gauges that does not exist in a NB8B. The boost gauge I've got in the car is aftermarket and was installed by the last owner. It has been very useful to inform me when the power will come.

So... all the other gauges I've heard about... like temp, EBC, volt... are useless for street turbo cars I'm guessing?

Uncle Arthur · Postby **Uncle Arthur** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:26 pm

I run a couple of extra gauges in my turbo'd NA - and they all have a purpose.

The NA oil pressure gauge is a mechaical item, so it runs true pressure. No need for extra.

However I do run both an additional electronic water temp gauge, and oil temp. It is interesting that even when the stock gauge tells me the engine is properly warmed my additional water temp gauge tells me it is still only at 65-70 deg - well under the temp that activates the thermostat. So running oil and water tells me when everything is properly warmed, and I can give it all its wellies. I found out the hard way that the stock gauge had a big "hole" in the middle of its readings, when I blew a headgasket, at about 10 degrees below full warm (despite what the temp gauge was telling me).

I also run boost and a AFM (narrow band) which isn't for tuning purposes, but just to give me an indication if things lean off when they aren't supposed to. It does show full rich and full lean at corresponding times when driving, and flip-flops on cruise, as is to be expected.

As for treating the car differently, I don't drive it hard until all the gauges say she's warmed up, and I always do the last 1km or so before I reach my destination in a way that lets it cool back down. No need for turbo timer or anything of the like.

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:31 pm

Theres a reason it doesnt come with more. For 95% of users guages are an asthetic thing like your boost guage. You cant watch it while your driving and you dont use it to diagnose or tune, so in honesty its asthetic. If the factory temp guage works, you dont need any others.

In terms of useful guages, maybe oil pressure. On an na you use the stock oil pressure guage which is a real guage not just an idiot light that looks like a guage like an nb has.

The oil pressure tells you when the motor has warmed up.

Dann

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 pm

Thanks Uncle Arthur.

To keep the interior as nice looking as possible, I was thinking about getting this: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4545&parentid=0&stocknumber=21-16560

So if I only had 2 spots to fill, which 2 gauges do you think would be the most useful? (I've already got a boost gauge so maybe that's a start).

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:50 pm

oil pressure.

Dann

and1 · Postby **and1** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:43 pm

The FM gauge pillars won't work for us as it's for LHD. Why not the DIN mount? I think it looks much neater.

Just do with a turbo'd car as you would when driving hard..
Let it warm up properly and give it sufficient time to cool down before completely shutting it off.

slug_dub · Postby **slug_dub** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:55 pm

You can get a RHD A-pillar gauge pod holder from MX5 Mania.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:46 am

and1 wrote:The FM gauge pillars won't work for us as it's for LHD. Why not the DIN mount? I think it looks much neater.

Just do with a turbo'd car as you would when driving hard..
Let it warm up properly and give it sufficient time to cool down before completely shutting it off.

I've already ran out of space in the DIN cause of a double DIN headunit.

I actually prefer not to mount anything on the A-pillar since it's already a pain to see through the A-pillar when you're turning the car hard right let alone when you double its thickness with the gauge pod.

I've seen the ones where you have 1 or 2 gauges attached to the cluster box like ears... maybe that's the way to go (Seen it before but can't find where to source them anymore...)

Anyhow, sounds like if I can only fit 2 then it'll be boost gauge + oil temp gauge then?

hamx5ter · Postby **hamx5ter** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:14 am

Mate, what you need is an auxiliary fuel gauge (and extra tank)..

*cough* *cough* i swear i drove almost the whole way home on just the fuel vapours..

Looks pretty nice though..

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:44 am

Far out hamxster. Doesnt stop does it. Maybe Ill get on the wagon, looks like fun haha.

Dann

hamx5ter · Postby **hamx5ter** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:55 am

Not my fault! :lol:

djhives' making me do it :lol:

Ok ok.. I stop now..

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:13 pm

Olde 9 finger Dave?

timk · Postby **timk** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:38 pm

Should do? Skids. :lol:

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 3:22 pm

I have to disagree with ND on the boost gauge. Boost creep, MBC issues and potential issues with ECU are plausible and a boost gauge, whilst not something you will stare at, is very important.

Relying on overboost protection can be dangerous. More than once have i heard of folks feeling a strange additional kick in the back, only to check their boost gauge and note in horror a 6-10psi overboost.

And don't skimp on a wideband. A seriously good investment. Besides, no mate of mine is borrowing my LC1 for a 6 pack... That may make me an arsehole but so be it. Buy your own!

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:56 pm

10 psi spike? What happened the heat inside the exhaust housing weld the wastegate closed?

As for the lc1, id never just lend it, i have to be there. But an lc1 and guage on a standard car will not help him. Hes unlikely to know what hes supposed to be seeing. If he was he could buy a ms and it himself.

Dann