I'm planning to order the Westach combo boost/EGT gauge with pillar pod for my '03. My question is should I go ahead and order the 50 lb boost reading or the standard 35 lb reading? Not planning to do any heavy BOMBing other than maybe a Quadzilla or Van Aaken adjustable towing module.

Thanks

MikeyB

 

you might want to make your decision based on the capabililties of the turbo you intend to keep. The stock turbo wastegate is set for the mid-to-upper 20s I think, and 35 lbs is outside of the efficiency map. Point being, you'll have little use for a 50 psi gauge if you intend to keep the stock turbo, depending of course on how accurate you want the scale to be, and where you prefer "full scale" to be.

It all boils down to what you want to stare at: if you have a 50 psi gauge, the stock turbo will generate max boost levels at about 1/2 scale and tend to run (depending on your foot) in the first third of the scale. If you want to push limits (defeat the stock wastegate), note that guys have acheived ~ 40 psi of really hot compressed air with the stock turbo.

So I'd say if you're keeping the little hy turbo, the 35 psi gauge will be more useful and more accurate. From my reading, taking the stock turbo beyond 35 psi is not fruitful anyway. But if you think you might be open to a different turbocharger with higher boost capabilities, then spring for the 0-50.

 

Doug,
Thanks for the info.
I'm not planning on any heaving BOMBing like changing the turbo.
But may one day install a Quadzilla or Van Aaken adjustable box.
Reason I ask the question is in Genos catalog they recommend using 50lb boost reading if going over 350hp. I calculated with a box at around 50-65hp the pressure should read right at 32-33lbs of boost.

MikeyB

 

I have not used either of the boxes you are looking at, but an EZ will peg the 35 psi boost gauge. I am no gauge expert but running at max range/ or over cannot be good for a pressure gauge.
Good luck Jason

 

BADBOWTIE,
Thanks for the update.
Oh well, I ordered the 35lb boost/EGT gauge yesterday..

MikeyB

 

considering the limitations of the stock turbo, there is a compelling argument to wastegate it to 35 psi or even lower Certainly, it will generate higher pressures with sufficient fueling but those pressures are way outside its efficiency map and it's not clear at all that such high pressures even yield higher power.

So with the stock turbo, and with an interest in protecting it, I would wastegate to a figure equal to the full scale on your 35psi guage. Maybe piers has an adjustable elbow similar to what they have for the 02...