Boost gauge in vz

[henrytad]

Can you install a boost gauge in a commodore vz if I don't have a turbo. How would I do this

[Fonzie]

Can you install a boost gauge in a commodore vz if I don't have a turbo. How would I do this

You can put one in, but it won't do anything useful. That's as bad as putting an air/fuel gauge on the wrong band sensor. Boost gauges measure how much pressure a turbo or supercharger are creating. If your car is NA, then there is no pressure. Your car is sucking in air, rather than having it forced in.
In which cause, what you're after is a vacuum sensor. You have to tap into the plenum chamber somewhere, there's probably somewhere you can tee off... And run the air hose to the sender, then sender to gauge... or air hose straight to gauge if it's a mechanical one.

[henrytad]

I just swapped it over for an oil pressure gauge. Is that simple to install?

[Fonzie]

I just swapped it over for an oil pressure gauge. Is that simple to install?

Oil pressure is more difficult to install than a vacuum gauge.. But the information it gives you is more useful. If you're just after some pretty needles to look at, get a vacuum gauge and a voltage gauge... They're the easiest two.

I'm not sure if there's an easy spot to install one on a VZ... But one option is to get a "sandwich plate" (fits between the oil filter and the block), and screw the sender into that... Then run wiring from the bay to the dash, then mount the gauge.

I have a feeling someone makes a mount for the top center of the dash on a VZ... Could be wrong?

[henrytad]

sounds too complicated. id prefer vacuum gauge actually but i had a feeling that would be more complicated. i guess i was wrong. how do you install that? would the needle move as you rev for that as well?
im looking for someone to install the 2 gauges in my car btw, anyone interested? am willing to pay

[FAT.36L]

Can you install a boost gauge in a commodore vz if I don't have a turbo. How would I do this

Thats like having a shift light in a auto

STUPID!!!

[Fonzie]

sounds too complicated. id prefer vacuum gauge actually but i had a feeling that would be more complicated. i guess i was wrong. how do you install that? would the needle move as you rev for that as well?
im looking for someone to install the 2 gauges in my car btw, anyone interested? am willing to pay

A vacuum gauge will read in BAR, PSI or maybe even KPa...(1 psi = 6.8948 KPa)(1 psi = 0.06895 bar). A boost gauge reads from 0 up, Vacuum reads from 0 down. A vacuum gauge would indeed move when you accelerate, but it moves towards the negative...

When you're idling, your engine isn't sucking in as much air and hence creates less vacuum. When under any acceleration, it sucks in more air, and creates more of a vacuum. More vacuum equals less BAR, so the gauge would move further away from 0 in the negative direction.

If your engine was blown (turbo or supercharger) in any way, it would be under constant pressure... Under acceleration the blower would provide more pressure, and hence a boost gauge would go up.

[Danoz]

Well explained Fonzie.

[ashbox]

just get a set of hsv guages, they sit above the air con controls and you get oil, and volt gauges. looks so much nicer than the gauge by the a-pillar

[henrytad]

thats the one im gonna get, but i need someone that can hook the wiring up for me n stuff
can anyone do it for me?

[Fonzie]

Cheers Danoz. Nanos' greek cousin? :P

As for wiring, henrytad; A bloke of this forum who's done it before might help out in trade for a six pack or something... You'll have to have a snoop around the VZ section. Some models might already have the wiring in place, but i highly doubt the exec does. Failing that, find an auto elec somewhere. He'll probably charge through the roof though.

[henrytad]

I'm doing my best to find someoone. Haven't found anyone yet.

[Troy5L]

boost guage on a na car is about as useful as tits on a bull...get oil, water temp and volts, fair simple to put in, y dont u have a go at it urself and if then u find it really hard then go get someone to help you out...just put a boost guage and air/fuel guage in my car and im not that electrical minded and it was pretty easy

[henrytad]

i just got no clue on what im supposed to do. ive taken the top cover off on top of the aircondition control, but i dont know where the wires are, or the vacuum hose

[andyman]

A vacuum gauge will read in BAR, PSI or maybe even KPa...(1 psi = 6.8948 KPa)(1 psi = 0.06895 bar). A boost gauge reads from 0 up, Vacuum reads from 0 down. A vacuum gauge would indeed move when you accelerate, but it moves towards the negative...

When you're idling, your engine isn't sucking in as much air and hence creates less vacuum. When under any acceleration, it sucks in more air, and creates more of a vacuum. More vacuum equals less BAR, so the gauge would move further away from 0 in the negative direction.

If your engine was blown (turbo or supercharger) in any way, it would be under constant pressure... Under acceleration the blower would provide more pressure, and hence a boost gauge would go up.

its the other way round, a motor produces most of its vacuum when at idle because the throttle is shut, vacuum will progressivly step down as the throttle is open, at 100% there should be no vacuum,

thats why when some commodores that get vacuum leaks the air vents change position when you accellerate,

[trentvy]

when ur car is idling put ur hand over the intake then get someone to rev your car. and tell me it isnt sucking something in

[Je[Z]zA]

its the other way round, a motor produces most of its vacuum when at idle because the throttle is shut, vacuum will progressivly step down as the throttle is open, at 100% there should be no vacuum

Spot on, mechanics 101.

[HARVZ-6]

its the other way round, a motor produces most of its vacuum when at idle because the throttle is shut, vacuum will progressivly step down as the throttle is open, at 100% there should be no vacuum,

thats why when some commodores that get vacuum leaks the air vents change position when you accellerate,

saved me saying that haha

[andyman]

when ur car is idling put ur hand over the intake then get someone to rev your car. and tell me it isnt sucking something in

yeah it is sucking air - naturally, but its not restricted, a throttle restricts air flow, no throttle = no restriction, your hand over the throttle is a restriction, like a throttle body

[HoldenOnn]

I have found a gauge that covers everyones needs whether you have a high performance late model vehicle, or whether you just want a 'talking point' etc on your daily driver. I am thinking about getting one just for the hell of it.

If you do actually need a gauge for trans temp or engine data on your high performance car, then this seems to be value for money with the displays it can give you.

Take a look at the links below, and watch the you tube links also. Let me know what you think.

DM-100 OBDII/CAN 52mm Gauge - PLX devices

YouTube - DM-100 OBDII Overview