this site is great, i love all the feedback and help thats out there, thanks guys. i wanted to ask if boost gauges are usually very accurate and precise. i know that there is supposed to be some kind of boost pattern, right? well, all i know is that mine boosts up to about 8.5 or nine, and im pretty sure stock is suppposed to be 10. do i have a problem with my boost?

 

Aftermarket boost gauges are generally accurate, unless there something wrong with it (was the needle at "0" when you took it out of the box?) or it was installed improperly. How are you testing your boost pattern? Get on an empty freeway or find a LONG straight road w/ no traffic because you will hit three digit speeds. Floor it WOT in 3rd gear and watch your boost gauge; it should shoot up to 10 PSI, drop to 8 at transition, then shoot back up to 10.

 

If you ever need a place to work on you car in your area. Banzai racing in Pierceton IN is really good. www.banzairacing.net . I've gone to Chris for everything. Sounds like your probably fine boost wise though.

 

Test your gauge before you install it to check the accuracy.

My old autometer gauge read 1.5 psi higher than it should.

The Greddy one was perfect.

It's not uncommon for older 3rd gens to lose some boost, check your vac hoses carefully for small leaks, they can make a big difference.

 

I agree. Greddy gauges are very accurate, plus they add a little charm to the interior over the Autometer gauges. I never had any problems with mine.

ALI

 

How can you test your boost gauge ?
I have Autometer one and dont know if it shows accurate boost info
I wish it reads too high, lol.

 

You need to hook it to a MityVac or something that you can send X amount of pressure and see what the gauge is reading.

 

Borrow a quality "race" tire gauge, preferably one used for lightweight cars that will only read to 25 psi or so. Using the tire gauge inflate an air tank to the maximum reading on your boost gauge. Tee the gauge into the tank and see if it reading matches the tire gauge. Then repeat at other increments. For the FD I check at 5 psi, 7 psi, 10 psi and 12 psi.

The boost gauge merely reads pressure and high quality tire gauges are already caliberated, so using it to verify the boost gauge's reading is simple to do.

 

I have an HKS mach. boost and it's rather accurate, no more than 0.1 kPa off from what my commander says. But I don't think you can expect perfect readings from any instrument anyway.