3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Which should I believe Defi boost gauge or PFC???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 09:43 PM
  #1  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Angry Which should I believe Defi boost gauge or PFC???

Heres my problem...I had a boost gauge installed and noticed I was spiking to 14-15 psi with just downpipe and catback. I was told by many people that that couldnt be true. Also when they installed it they used the whole tube that came with it. So the sender is like a foot away from the nipple.
I then saved up for my PFC+commander. I wanted a boost controller and I knew I would need this soon anyway. The pfc says that I am running at about 7.5-8.3 somewhere around their. Much Much lower than 15 pounds.
Now being that the nights are getting colder and boost spike will get worse I really want to know exactly what boost I am making.
Which one should I be paying attention too. Should I be nervous? Can anyone give advise as to how do find out what the boost is really?? HELP ME OUT!!
I dont want to blow it...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 09:52 PM
  #2  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
Wow thats a big differential. I also have defi gauges and a PFC....the commander usually reads a bit lower, but not that much. Elevation could be playing a role, but in NJ? Doubt it. One foot away from the nipple is okay for the sender, mines at that much if not more. How does it feel? You should be able to tell the difference between ~8psi and ~14psi with the infamous Butt Dyno.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 09:54 PM
  #3  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I messed up the post. I ment to put .75bar and .83 bar I am still getting used to this psi and bar thing
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 09:55 PM
  #4  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Defi boost gauge reads-15 pounds
Apexi PFC is reading- .75-.83 bar
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:01 PM
  #5  
GoRacer's Avatar
Speed Mach Go Go Go
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 2
From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
Metric conversion website

.75bar = 10.875lbs
.83bar = 12.035lbs
1.0bar = 14.500lbs
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:01 PM
  #6  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
.83 is like 12 psi.
Thats a little better. I'm leaning towards believing the Defi. Keep in mind that the defi gauges are so damm sensitive that they record peaks that normal analog gauges would'nt even register. Do you know anyone with an analog boost gauge that you could borrow with a vacumm line going out the hood around threw the window for a quick test around the block?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:03 PM
  #7  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I can get it close, but anyway 15 pounds on defi compared to an average of maybe 11 pounds or lower on PFC???

What should I listen to/
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:04 PM
  #8  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Nobody I know has one...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:06 PM
  #9  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
Originally posted by GoRacer
Metric conversion website

.75bar = 10.875lbs
.83bar = 12.035lbs
1.0bar = 14.500lbs
Actually bro, its kg/cm2 not BAR


Check it:
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:08 PM
  #10  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
Originally posted by Dragonz818
Nobody I know has one...
****...too bad your not in Cali, artguy (Jason) is still running around with my extra gauge all bouncing around in the passenger seat
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:10 PM
  #11  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
record a run on the defi. How long does it spike for?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:10 PM
  #12  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
What should I do if it is spiking to 15 pounds??
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:10 PM
  #13  
jspecracer7's Avatar
1JZ powered
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 0
From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Been there and done that. I have the exact same setup, and had the exact same problem. Defi boost gauge reads HIGHER than what is true. Not THAT much higher, but still higher.

According to my Defi boost gauge, I am boost 1.1 kg/cm2. My PFC reads .9 kg/cm2. Appx. 3 psi difference. I took a mechanical greddy and mounted it inside....reads the SAME as my PFC....leading me to believe that either my PFC AND the GREDDY mechanical boost gauge are wrong....OR MY DEFI BOOST GAUGE READS HIGH!
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:14 PM
  #14  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Hey van whats up... What should I listen to?? On a hot day my car will spike 14 and fall to about 12 now being that its cold its spikeing to 14 and not falling. The PFC says no more than .83 bar....

What if the Defi guge is right?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:18 PM
  #15  
GoRacer's Avatar
Speed Mach Go Go Go
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 2
From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
Originally posted by FD Racer
Actually bro, its kg/cm2 not BAR
Check it:
Hmm, ok but then why do people say "bar" and 14.7lbs?

.75kg/cm=10.665psi
.83kg/cm=11.803psi
1.0kg/cm=14.22psi
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:24 PM
  #16  
jspecracer7's Avatar
1JZ powered
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 0
From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Originally posted by Dragonz818
Hey van whats up... What should I listen to?? On a hot day my car will spike 14 and fall to about 12 now being that its cold its spikeing to 14 and not falling. The PFC says no more than .83 bar....

What if the Defi guge is right?
To be honest, I would go with the Defi....simply because if your UNDER boosting, you won't blow your engine....but OVER boost will lead you down the blown engine road.

Try to find someone with a mech boost gauge. That may help you trouble shoot...but from MY EXPERIENCE, I found the Defi to read higher.

Also, are you reading PEAK...because even in non-sequential, it will sometimes peak out at 1.1 and then drop down...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:26 PM
  #17  
jspecracer7's Avatar
1JZ powered
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 0
From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Originally posted by GoRacer


Hmm, ok but then why do people say "bar" and 14.7lbs?

.75kg/cm=10.665psi
.83kg/cm=11.803psi
1.0kg/cm=14.22psi
Just like ps and hp...VERY similar, but slightly off. The Metric system is what most gauges uses here in Japan....kg/cm2
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:29 PM
  #18  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
Nice Avatar btw jspecracer7.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 10:43 PM
  #19  
jspecracer7's Avatar
1JZ powered
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 0
From: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Originally posted by FD Racer
Nice Avatar btw jspecracer7.
Why thank you!...Tila Nguyen...So HOT...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:03 PM
  #20  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Ok heres the verdict

I just took it on the road I was watching the boost gauge. Coming from a dead stop out of a toll. First gear the gauge read 10 psi at wot. Second gear went to about 11 psi at wot. Third gear it spiked to 13.5 and dropped to about 12. Fifth gear at wot went straight to 15 pounds sat their for a second then dropped to 12.5 and 13.5 some where in thier

Also while driving at 80mph when the pfc says 0.00 boost the defi gauge reads 2.5. Basically the defi gauge is constantly reading between 2 and 3 pounds higher at all times.

Hope this helps you help me....
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:04 PM
  #21  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Also the spiking doesnt show up as badly as it does the defi.. The apexi is more gradual
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:16 PM
  #22  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I am still running with the sequentials never changed them. Its when the second turbo kicks on that I get a real massive spike.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:19 PM
  #23  
GoodfellaFD3S's Avatar
Original Gangster/Rotary!
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (213)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,804
Likes: 646
From: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Thumbs up

Originally posted by FD Racer
Nice Avatar btw jspecracer7.
I like my avatar better

Ok, back to the matter at hand. My boost gauge (greddy 60mm EL peak/hold) reads ~2psi higher than my PFC Commander. The autometer before it was the same way. I believe the commander--it's reading right off the stock MAP sensor and doesn't have a vacuum hose to introduce error into the equation. Dave at KD Rotary agreed with this, so that's what I'm stickin' to
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:27 PM
  #24  
Dragonz818's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I didnt think my car was runnning 15 pounds maybe 12 but no way 15.

Also the fact that the boost gauge shows a spike to 15 and the pfc none makes me very unsure.

To get 1 bar on the pfc is impossibe right now. The gauge as soon as I hit the gas boom 15 psi.

Dont understand it. Should I buy a seperate boost controller?

I think I am going to have it dynoed. What should I look for? In the car and the reading. Big hp increase and decreases???
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2002 | 11:29 PM
  #25  
FD Racer's Avatar
sold the FD...kept the FB
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
Originally posted by GoodfellaFD3S


I like my avatar better
Hard to say....the chick on the left needs more top end and the chick on the right....her top end runs a bit low, if you know what I mean...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:45 PM.