Gauges for Turbo, boost controller options?
 

So what are your thoughts on gauges for turbo install? I will (hopefully) be getting my AVO turbo kit in the next week. I am looking at gauges and such.

Wondering what you all think as the minimum gauges to have with the AVO turbo, or any turbo for that matter.


I was leaning towards an AEM failsafe....

And then possibly an oil temp/pressure gauge, any thoughts?

Also thoughts on Electronic Boost controller vs mechanical?

The 2 i was looking at.....

Mechanical....Hallman Pro RX

Electronic....AEM Tru-Boost

if you wanna do things right go for defi :)

I am totally open for other brands, etc..I am just wondering what peoples thoughts on brands and more importantly types of gauges.

I am open to whatever brand gauges is good quality, not sold on AEM per say, just using as my initial examples...

I really would like to learn more about thoughts on the types of gauges, and not so much brands.

Im feeling the AEM boost gauge/controller.

I have AEM Failsafe WideBand/Boost Gauage and AVO Electronic Boost Controller. Haven't gotten the boost controller set up yet because we're still tuning partial throttles but I'll let you know how it goes.

I had an AEM fail safe on my DSM, no complaints.

Defi gauges never seemed to fail me with the quality , or have any issues in addition to that they do look super clean and sweet :)
i thought i'd share a couple of cars that have been owned around the family with Defi, i love those gauges but i do have to agree they are very expensive !

Track Evo 8
http://s23.postimg.org/cilifihkb/photo_copy.jpg

Brothers built single cab truck, running 700+Rwhp

http://s23.postimg.org/rftzgiusr/photo_copy_2.jpg

I transplanted a Prosport 60mm from my old Miata. It's in the driver's side vent, and works pretty well. I'm still waiting for the turbo to be installed in the FR-S, but I doubt it'll be any different than in the Miata.

The Good - it does the cool opening ceremony and changes colors; it's very clear and readable; it's electronic, so it's accurate and doesn't require plumbing a vacuum line to the gauge; it has that 'blacked out' look when it isn't on; the wiring makes it easy to do a super clean install on our cars

The Bad - the illumination color doesn't match perfectly when it's white; it's too bright unless you use red at night; it beeps at you until you figure out how to disable the beep

I am running a turbosmart manual boost controller. At first it had the ballbearing and spring and it spiked like crazy. I removed it and its that much better but still not perfect. in order to run 9 psi i am spiking 12, no problem there but sometimes it hits 13 and then it hits the fuel cut. So basically, i can only run 8psi. If i could find a solution to get rid of the spike it would be fantastic. I could run 10-11 psi constantly!

AEM Failsafe, AEM Oil pressure and Perrin Boost Controller.

What PSI WG actuator are you using? It is expected for a MBC to produce higher values at higher gears when there is more load on the engine.

But aside from that and to give an example, a 5 PSI actuator will have more trouble holding 9 psi steady than an 8 psi actuator.

The AEM Failsafe gauge is a nice option for showing boost and AFR in a single gauge. You WILL NOT, however, be able to use the failsage feature unless:
A. you are running more than spring pressure
AND
B you either have a switchable electronic boost controller (that the failsafe gauge can power off or switch to lower boost) OR an electronic solenoid valve plumbed in a way the redirects ALL boost pressure directly to the wategate actuator in the event of a failsafe condition

The AEM True boost may be able to act as the switchable controller, not sure.

If you plumb your wastegate and EBC (electronic boost controller) correctly, when the EBC is turned off, you have spring pressure only, so a simple relay combined with the aem failsafe gauge is all you need. The directions for wiring up a relay to kill power to the boost control solenoid are given in the failsafe gauge manual at the end.

From the AEM TrueBoost manual:
Over-Boost
The boost solenoid will shut off and all 24 LED lights will flash red if manifold
pressure exceeds the alarm value by 10% for more than 1 second or if manifold
pressure exceeds the alarm level by 20% for more than 200 milliseconds. The solenoid
will remain off and the LED lights will continue to flash until either button is pushed or
the gauge is turned off.

Also, it is important to note the AEM FailSafe gauge is NOT intended to limit boost pressure AT ALL. It is designed to failsafe based on AFR. The trigger point is configured with an afr vs boost graph, but you cannot set limits based on boost, unless you get fancy with it and set it up so above a certain boost pressure it alarms at any AFR.. but i don't think you have enough resolution on the boost pressure to do that in an effective way. So, if you want to protect from overboost you still need a boost controller with it's own overboost failsafe.

This is true with an MBC, but with electronic boost control, you need to be a few psi over spring pressure to get reliable boost control due to solenoid duty cycle (they need to operate in a range for best response). So, with an EBC if you want to run say 10psi then i would go with a 5 or 6 psi spring.

hallman pro with ceramic ball. The steel balls expand under heat and will cause the ball to get stuck.... I've seen it happen over and over.