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11-17-2001, 07:13 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 8907
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Penn Hills, PA
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Sdn WR Blue Pearl |
Help installing Subaru Turbo Boost Gage - Steering Column Mount
Has anyone installed a Subaru steering column mounted turbo boost gage? My main problem, so far, is removing the top steering column cover (two screws?) and removing the audio face plate to gain access to the accessory power plug. The face plate is the horribly over-priced simulated carbon graphite one which fits very tightly in the dash cavity. Do I really need to remove the cover and CD unit to access the power plug? I'd hate to break it if I didn't need to.
Any help will be thoroughly appreciated.
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11-17-2001, 07:22 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 1885
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Vehicle:2018 M3 Alpine White |
yeah, you gotta remove the face plate to gain access. Just be as careful as you can, and I'm sure you'll get it. And if you happen to brake it, there is always Crazy Glue, and it works wonderfully.
Danny |
11-17-2001, 07:28 PM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 7146
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Yes, you need to remove the stereo.
I used a very thin blade to pry the panel surrounding the stereo off. be SURE to protect the dash with electrical tape at the points the blade contacts to avoid damage. You'll get it. |
11-18-2001, 12:13 AM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 9837
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Evergreen CO
Vehicle:2015 Forester XT Blue |
I don't have that gauge, and I'm not familar with its installation instructions, but I assume you need to tap the accessory plug for power.
There's an easier place to do it. Take off the lower dash cover below the steering wheel. Look at the fuse block. You will see a wide blue connector above the fuses. This is connector B271 if you have the wiring diagram. It has two rows of pins, 5 in the top row and 7 in the bottom row. The wire on the right end of the lower row is yellow with a red marker stripe. That's the wire that powers the accessory plug, and you can tap it there a lot easier than pulling out the stereo. |
11-18-2001, 06:53 PM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 8907
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Penn Hills, PA
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Sdn WR Blue Pearl |
I guess I'll answer my own question. I installed the boost gage today (about 3 hours) and it is a major pain in the a$$ to install. Here is how I did it. First, disconnect the battery negative terminal. Remove the two screws that hold in the cupholder and remove the cup holder assembly. This allows you to get a grip on the stereo fascia so you can remove it without tools (no nicks, scrathces or cracks.) Remove the stereo cluster (6 screws) with a long phillips screw driver. Remove the lower steering column cover (1-screw & 2 clips). Remove the top cover (2 well hidden screws). You must also remove the instrument cluster surround (2 screws & two snaps.) Drop the lower dash (2 screws and, 1 twist lock and 3 snap locks). Drill 2 holes in the top steering column cover (4.5 mm or 3/16" will work) - the template provided places them too far to the left, so adjust to fit. Attach the gage housing ONLY at this time and attach using the top & bottom reinforcement plates provided. Replace the top cover, but don't secure in place, yet. Run the wires, vacuum hose and corrugated tube into the back of the gage housing. Route the hose through the dash and the wire harness through the opening to the left of the radio cluster. Connect to the gage connector to the radio connector and secure loose wires with cable ties. Replace radio, fascia and cup holder. Secure the top column cover, then replace the bottom steering column covers and the instrument cluster surround. Level the vacuum boost gage and insert it into the housing correctly (it is almost impossible to change orientation after it is pressed into place. Remove the rubber plug from above the clutch pedal on the firewall and drill a hole through it with a 5/16" drill bit. Route the vacuum host through the hole through the convex side of the plug and replace it from the INSIDE of the car. Route the hose on the driver's side of the brake booster and away from the steering coupler, then over to the fuel regulator vacuum line in front of the intercooler. Remove and cut this line about 3" from the end and insert the tee fitting provided with the gage kit. Install the vacuum line from the gage along with the damper tube using the provided black tie wraps. Now, reconnect the negative battery ground terminal and start your engine without using the gas pedal and let it warm up. Check that the gage is working and that the gage lamp works with the headlights. Immediately drive the car HARD for a while if you want it to perform at its best. You can now reset your radio stations and reset your compass.
You would think SOA could provide a more "owner friendly" installation! I'll rate this install a: |
11-18-2001, 07:07 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 8907
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Penn Hills, PA
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX Sdn WR Blue Pearl |
Rocky WRX:
Thanks for the info. I should have gone onto the internet before I started this morning ... I could have save a half an hour. You would think SOA would make this project a lot simpler... every thing else snaps or plugs together! Unfortunately I did not take any pix of this install since my digital camera is indisposed ... darn. I will be installing a factory WRX spoiler over Thanksgiving ... any helpful hints? |
11-18-2001, 07:46 PM | #7 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 442
Join Date: Oct 1999
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: RI/SE Mass
Vehicle:17 Imp Spurt 00 S2k |
Aww c'mon it wasn't that bad. There's many steps but it only took me about 45 min.
he 1st 5 minutes was spent reading the instructions and becoming familiar with where everything was going to go before starting. I bet ya didn't do that.... I agree about the template tho, it is a little too far left. I layed it out and marked the holes and said... this isn't right. Then I just eyeballed it. --kC |
05-24-2002, 05:07 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 14826
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CT
Vehicle:2002 wrx silver |
how do you guys and girls like the oem boost gage. I'm planning on spending some money on the car and this is about the only mod that I can think of that doesn't have a bad side to it. How is the gage it self, does it light up properly? Where is the cheapest place to get it? Thanks
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05-24-2002, 07:23 PM | #9 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 14823
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orange, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX Wagon Silver |
I installed a boost gauge yesterday. Its the SPO kit. Took me less than 1 hr to install. Its very easy. From reading above, this kit is VERY much less involved to install. I got the directs to install from scoobymods.com and its right on. I highly recommend it. Here's a pic.
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05-25-2002, 01:09 AM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 19214
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: near Philly
Vehicle:'07 STI in the slow lane |
I removed my OEM boost gauge, preferring an electronic one that measures in psi.
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05-25-2002, 09:28 AM | #11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 14826
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CT
Vehicle:2002 wrx silver |
noggin
Where did you get the gage and how much did you pay for it? Does it have the color of light as the rest of the gages on the car? Thanks |
05-25-2002, 02:27 PM | #12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 15675
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Shinjuku-ku, Japan
Vehicle:'92 R32 Skyline GTR Black |
I have a big 2 5/8" Autometer mechanical boost gauge..does anyone make a pod for it to mount in our WRX's?
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05-27-2002, 11:10 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 14823
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orange, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX Wagon Silver |
The SPO kit above is 160. I got lucky and was able to buy just the pod from someone else and get the gauge seperately. Cost me around 45 for the pod and 40 for the gauge. But, very few people who bought the SPO kit are willing to part with the pod.
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05-28-2002, 10:46 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 14714
Join Date: Jan 2002
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: AZ
Vehicle:2020 STI Crystal White Pearl |
I'll be installing a 60mm greddy boost gauge in my vent tonight or sometime this week. I don't have a digital cam so I can't take pix of the install, but hopefully won't be that hard. I'll try to get a cam, but that doesn't look very promising. :\
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