After reading the noob faq's it was suggested to me to install a water temp gauge and a boost gauge in my vehicle.

I bought Prosport Premium gauges. They were easy to install and look great.

The temp gauge however reads 220F but the actual reading is 190F (according to my handheld digital unit which I know and trust). There is no calibration stuff in the instructions or on their website. I used their inline sending unit.

The boost gauge also reads high. It tells me I'm running 14 lbs of boost. I thought stock boost was 7 PSI. As far as I know and can tell, my car is completely stock with the exception of a downpipe off of the turbo. Is it possible that someone monkeyed with the boost and if they did how could I tell and what do i look for? Or should I suspect the gauge? It's an electronic sending gauge, not the kind with a vacuum line in the back of the gauge.

Did I get ripped off? Did I buy junk or is there something else I've not thought of?

Help!

 

Stock boost should hold around 10, if you have a dpwnpipe with midpipe, you could be overboosting to the 14 you mentioned. If that is the case you need to get a boost controller asap.

 

"The temp gauge however reads 220F but the actual reading is 190F (according to my handheld digital unit which I know and trust."
Most temp sensors are just a thermistor. Measure resistance for the sensor for two temperatures. If the resistance increases for a lower temp, add more resistance in series such that the meter and your trusted unit match up for a warmed upped engine.

If the opposite is true, try a parallel resistor.

Best to contact then under warranty about the problem.

 

You can verify the temp gauge accuracy by putting it in boiling water and compare it to a thermometer, as far as the boost gauge, does it zero out when the car is not running?

 

Yes... It reads zero when not moving.

The car has a downpipe but the stock midpipe.

I think I will install a A/F Ratio gauge to see if it's running lean. I have a innovate motorsports A/F gauge and a data logger. I will put that in on monday or tuesday and post up a video.

A boost controller to limit the boost to 10 pounds is a good idea. Especially if it is actually running too much boost. Thing I should install anotehr truste boost gauge to check. I get the feeling that the gauges are bought are pure crap.

The resistor is a good idea. I'll swing by the Radio Shack and pick a few up.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

All that a boost controller does is control waste gate actuation. If your car is overboosting it means that the wastegate is already 100% open but can't vent enough exhaust past the turbine wheel to limit boost pressure. You can't decrease boost in this situation with a boost controller.
If you still have an oem cat on there you should be able to hold stock boost (10psi). I'd start checking vacuum lines and make sure your wastegate and solenoids are all working correctly.

 

the pfc takes temp reading from the front of the engine, the gauge sending unit is at the back of the engine. could very well be a discrepancy in temperatures.. but id imagine the pfc would read higher since it was in the block for a longer journey and duration.

 

Is the boost gauge vaccum line hooked up prior to the intercooler or at the nipple on the upper intake manifold?

Boost readings before the intercooler will be slightly higher then the actual boost at the intake manifold.

 

I personally dislike the electronic sender gauges. I've had accuracy issues with them in the past. I know some people like them though.

Simple mechanical boost gauge, with an 1/8" nylon boost line from the UIM nipple to the gauge inside the car is the simple reliable way to go. I'm probably old fashioned though.

 

It is hooked up next to a factory boost sensor near the brake booster. It is tied into the same line. Is that a good place for it?

 

Good points on both. I replaced all of the vacuum lines fairly recently. Is it possible that I got one hooked up in the wrong location? If so would it cause a over boost problem?

I plan on keeping my stock midpipe as I'm too lazy to make a bigger wastegate (I think I would have to take the entire turbo out and port it). If I ever have the turbos out, I will do that and dump the stock midpipe.

I saw a nice write up on testing all of the turbo stuff here. Think I will get out some vacuum gauges and do a little testing. Which parts should I target for an overboost problem? I will alos get a second gauge and double check to make sure that I actually have a overboost problem.

I bought some resistors today and will make the H20 gauge read properly.

If that car was modified in some way to make the boost higher is there some way I can check for that?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

I think it comes down to brand/quality of the gauge and sender. Prosport for instance are not what I would call quality. The age old "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

 

Absolutely. I got what I paid for, when I tried the electronic "Megan Racing" boost and oil pressure gauges years ago. They were atrocious and the readings were way off.. Gave them away :p

Lesson- buy quality, go for simplicity, and you should get reliability as a result.

 

lol whenever i hear megan racing, OBX, and I'm sorry to say prosport I cringe. You get what you pay for!!!

I saved up and bought some Defi Racer Blue gauges. they rock!!!

 

Yeah that reminds me. I tried OBX in the past... Their mufflers fall apart, the welds break.. What a waste of money. OBX, Megan racing, Prosport.... Some shady companies out there.

 

I'll chime in.....

I have been using ProSport gauges for 2 years with NO issues. The boost gauge always reads about a 1lb difference than the PFC that I use to run BUT the source was in different locations.

My water temp gauge reads the correct readings all the time. When compared to the PFC readings they matched up perfectly.

My fuel gauge actually reads better than the Autometers that I use to have.

YES they are inexpensive gauges, YES paying $1K for Defi may be better for some but at the moment I am having NO issues.

Good Luck with your gauges.

 

alright , so IFF you have the power FC . I'd just rely on that as your temp gauge thats what I do.

and as for Electric gauges .

I've had 2 manual gauges , and now I have my DEFI gauge . and honestly I am very happy with it in every way . its accurate , its easy to see

And like stated above I've not heard awesome things about some of the prosport gauges But that was in relation to how long they last not the accuracy of them . if I may ask where exactly did you put the sensor ? for the prosport gauge?

 

Ok..... I installed a known good boost gauge today out of another car and the electronic boost sensor by prosport reads way high. By about 3.5 lbswhen it jumps suddenly. If the boost is engaged slowly it reads correctly.

I'm glad other people have installed prosport gauges and not had any problems but I had problems with both of the ones I've installed.

A different set of gauges fixed me right up.

I've got my datalogger hooked up and too and now I'm ready to collect some data that I trust.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I know I ask a lot of stupid questions so thanks for not flamming me.

 

call prosport let them know whats going on they may send you replacement parts for it , And good luck