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Hey gals and guys, I’m wondering what folks are doing to integrate factory looking boost gauges if anything. I haven’t been a fan of the pillar pods or aftermarket/modern gauges, so I’ve been looking for a factory looking solution for some time.
I came across this - https://www.allpar.com/fix/holler/boost-gauge.html - and thought it’d be possible to do something similar with our cars. I only have two small issues with this mopar gauge, first the turbo lettering- if not turboing that is- but i feel as if there’s ways around it, and second the orange needle, which is easily replaced with one from a smaller factory 82-89 camaro gauge.
Anyway, with a little trimming of the vent retaining tabs and ac vent tubing, I was able to fit a gauge similar to the one in the link above as shown below. It helps that i deleted ac some time ago, so I didn’t mind trimming the ac vent/tubing - not sure what to call that part.
I have some 3D printing to do or need to find some other solution to in essence frame the gauge to give it a more factory look, but I feel as if it’s very close to what I want.
Anyway, I’m interested in knowing if anyone has had a similar experience retrofitting some sort of stock-looking boost gauge and what it looks like.
Thank you! Yeah, just a simple mechanical gauge with a light. I debated between 80’s factory mopar boost gauges and 70’s factory Saab gauges since both are - I think - understated. This one won out because it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the interior so much, and it being in a box enclosure/shape made it easier to fit into that vent space.
It does look good. Nice job. My only observation is that no car designer would stick the most important gauge - the only one any boy racer would want to look at while doing a buck-twenty, in about the same place you would normally find a coin pocket. Too far from eyes on the road - which is the only time it shows BOOOOST! So yeah - in a hood bulge on the outside of the car would make the most sense, or at least front and center of the gauge cluster or over near the center where the passenger can see it while they hold on for dear life.
But you did a really nice job!
GD
Last edited by GeneralDisorder; Aug 22, 2019 at 10:24 PM.
lol. Thanks, GD. I originally liked this placement because of fit, the angle pointing towards the driver, and because I only planned on glancing over occasionally to make sure everything's working well - which is how I've been using it. My beating on the car days are mainly behind me. It's really just a capable cruiser.
Oh c'mon man! I'm almost 40 and I flog the living **** out of my car every day! Burn tires from every light. Isn't that the whole point? If it wasn't I would swap my Firebirds out for a fleet of...... IDK what.... maybe a Civic or a Corolla.
touché, sir. Still, I feel as if the placement is right for me. I shared the image to try for better or worse to contribute to this forum, and to see folks' atypical boost gauge integrations. I appreciate the banter.
About the only time I look at the boost gauge in the Mustang is driving around directly after adjusting the MBC. If WOT it pulls past where I want it, I keep my foot out of it until I can make an adjustment, and try again... Too high, pull off somewhere and dial it back, too low, pull off and dial it up. Once it's set it's mostly just a curiosity. I wouldn't trust a factory boost gauge to be accurate anyway. I had the choice between the stock SVO Mustang boost gauge or the absolutely worthless 79-86 Mustang "AMP" gauge that never works when I rebuilt my cluster, I've got an Autometer in a pillar pod. LOL Point being if you want a gauge, if you NEED a gauge, you need it to be visible and where you can see it while driving, or you don't really need the gauge.
