Ok i just bought a new 2004 STI...this is my first Turbo Charged car...and i'm thinking about getting guages...before this i just thought they look cool...they still do but i was wondering what do they do?...ok boost guage measures the boost...but im sorry but i dunno how to read it?...then theres oil temp guage...exhaust temp...battery volt...aside from knowing it measures the temp of these parts...how is it useful in everyday driving and maintenance of your turbo vehicle?

Any Info is appreciated being that im new at this... :confused:

The most important one is probably the boost guage if you're going to stay stock... Useful for learning how to drive on/off boost. The rest are mostly bling unless you've been modifying your car, race your car, or are a total information junkie. :)

ok cool i guess...i'll pick up a boost guage...but one question...the stock sti runs i believe 14.5 psi right?that would make it What ppl call 1 bar? if so then any time i go beyond or less then that mark i could blow my engine?

yes it runs 14.5psi, running less will do nothing, and if you leave the car stock then it more than likely wont go beyond, so no worries.

Ok Cool thanks for the help

IMHO, additional gauges are a must.

In a turbocharged car, having a boost/vacuum gauge can be a very useful diagnostic tool- if you have any boost leaks or other boost-related issues, it will be quite obvious with a boost/vacuum gauge. I've also seen vacuum leaks show up on the gauge.

I also like having oil temperature because with a turbo car, the oil can get really hot. Knowing when you hit a dangerously high oil temp can help prevent you killing the engine, especially at the track.

Oil pressure is nice, but really anything more than just a very obvious idiot light warning of low oil pressure is overkill.

Having EGT is also nice, especially if you plan on modifying the boost levels of the car- high EGTs can indicate a lean condition, can help prevent you killing your cat or killing the whole engine. Really not necessary with a stock engine.

I plan on having all of these gauges, as well as wideband O2 (probably AEM UEGO in preparation for hopefully upcoming AEM EMS for the STi). The problem I have with having all of these gauges is the fact that the only gauges that really match the instrument cluster well cost an arm and a leg- I'm seriously considering the Defi Link BF Red in a triple dash pod, putting EGT and wideband O2 on the A-pillar when the time comes.

Taka

My oil temp seems to stay around 200F. Granted, it's cool here (50F) and I've not thrashed the car since the install. You'd be surprised how long it actually takes to reach operating temp, way after warm air flows through the vents.

Oil pressure I disagree though ... my previous car (not Subaru) suffered some blockage and dumped all of its oil all over the road in the space of about 2 minutes... stalled out about 10secs after throwing the CEL. Luckily nothing else was damaged.

FYI the oil pressure idiot light switch on the stock subarus triggers at 2.5 PSI.... not much warning at all ! I'm replacing with a VDO pressure sender w/11.5psi warning trigger, when the tubing arrives for remote mount.

EGT probably only useful if you're planning on reflashing ECU ... good to tell if you get a map that doesn't agree with your car. Can always plug the hole with a clock until that day arrives... which it surely will if you're already reading these forums :lol:


I also like having oil temperature because with a turbo car, the oil can get really hot. Knowing when you hit a dangerously high oil temp can help prevent you killing the engine, especially at the track.

Oil pressure is nice, but really anything more than just a very obvious idiot light warning of low oil pressure is overkill.

Having EGT is also nice, especially if you plan on modifying the boost levels of the car- high EGTs can indicate a lean condition, can help prevent you killing your cat or killing the whole engine. Really not necessary with a stock engine.

Taka

Just wondering, where can you get a clock that fits a 60mm hole?

Just wondering, where can you get a clock that fits a 60mm hole?

Autometer makes one.

http://hp.autometer.com/products/phantom/electric_gauges/electric_gauges.html

I find my oil temp gauge is the best indicator of a fully warmed engine--lags way behind water temp.
The boost and EGT gauges are critical in my highly-moded case--to protect against dangerously high levels in conjunction w/ overly lean conditions.
A voltage gauge warns if the charging/battery system is not OK.