OEM Turbo boost gauge red light mod - **with pics!**

**nandanrp** · 03-24-2005, 06:49 PM

Well before I jumped in and converted my OEM boost gauge to red, I did a search on here to see if I could find some pictures of what I was going to get myself into. I didn't find any threads with pictures or complete instructions, so I figured I would put pictures of mine up...I know it's fairly simple, but I'm sure there are others out there who wouldn't mind seeing these for future reference.

First of all, let me say that the rubber housing around the boost gauge has a really, really good grip on the gauge. It took some time, a few flathead screwdrivers, and some sore thumbs before I got the gauge out of there...

When you are getting the screwdrivers in there, you need to stretch the rubber housing and stick the flathead in (if you don't stretch it by hand, the screwdriver won't make it very far in there). Also, avoid putting a screwdriver at the top (12 o'clock position) as the power connector is there and you don't want to break it. I didn't know this until I had the gauge out, so avoid that mistake. One last picture with the white gauge, just so people can see the difference...

After the gauge was out, I unplugged the brown power connector (it is at the top of the gauge, just a simple push and it slid right off). There is a small black piece under this power connector - it holds the bulb. Turn it counter-clockwise (if you are facing the back of the gauge) and with about a quarter-turn it will come out. Pull it straight out - the OEM gauge has a blue bulb condom on it. I tried to pull the condom off without tearing it, but it's very thin and rips easily.

The hole in the picture below is where the bulb came out of (sorry, it's a crappy, blurry picture)

The red bulb condoms (ordered from parts express, these are the ones I bought) are a little longer than the bulb, so I had to cut off about 1/4" from the end.

All ready to go back in...

Line the gauge up with "TURBO" horizontally (unless you want to rotate it...) and then push it back into the rubber cup. Here's how it turned out:

Yes, the red needle on the boost gauge is a bit hard to see, but the white lighting on the boost gauge used to glare a lot, and this is much easier on the eyes at night.

***BoostJunkie*** · 03-24-2005, 08:34 PM

nice work, that looks really good.

JJ18Sniper · 03-24-2005, 08:36 PM

Thanks for the writeup! I'm definitely gonna do this mod.

Usdmsti · 03-24-2005, 10:01 PM

dude you are the reason I save money and grow balls to do things like this = ) thanks man Thumbs for kick ass write up

***gixxer6*** · 03-25-2005, 04:40 AM

cool, looks good i think i'll try this too. thanks for the write up this should be a sticky

**nandanrp** · 03-25-2005, 04:58 AM

Thanks guys, I figured I'd show some of the others what they are getting into

I added some tips regarding the screwdrivers - don't put one up at the top (12 o'clock, above where it says "TURBO") because the power connector is up there and you don't want to accidentally snap it with a screwdriver. 15 hours later and my thumbs are still sore from pulling on that rubber housing

**Paperchasin** · 03-25-2005, 06:27 AM

good job!!! i would've gone with an omori 45mm gauge myself, since its already red lit and slightly larger....

**nandanrp** · 03-25-2005, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paperchasin

good job!!! i would've gone with an omori 45mm gauge myself, since its already red lit and slightly larger....

My car came with the OEM boost gauge, or else I would have saved up for the Defi BF's...I figure this is a good middle-ground solution, and I don't have to put up with that annoying white glare anymore!

**kat398** · 03-25-2005, 07:12 AM

cool.

**Paperchasin** · 03-25-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paperchasin

good job!!! i would've gone with an omori 45mm gauge myself, since its already red lit and slightly larger....

My car came with the OEM boost gauge, or else I would have saved up for the Defi BF's...I figure this is a good middle-ground solution, and I don't have to put up with that annoying white glare anymore!

i kno wut u mean.... but wut i meant was that u could squeeze an omori 45mm gauge into that lil cup if u wanted to and replace that quarter-sized gauge...

SpeedFactory · 03-25-2005, 10:52 AM

This is a great write up. I will be doing this soon.

Paperchasin: I like your idea of squeezing in the larger omori gauge in there as well. If it's an easy unplug and plug n go then I'll probably do it.

stiLLMELLO · 03-25-2005, 11:28 AM

def. should be a sticky .. thanx for the writeup .. immma start this mod rite away

05SilverSTI · 03-25-2005, 01:14 PM

looks good. thanks for the writeup.

slow_sti · 03-25-2005, 03:02 PM

definately doin it to mine

**nandanrp** · 03-25-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedFactory

This is a great write up. I will be doing this soon.

Paperchasin: I like your idea of squeezing in the larger omori gauge in there as well. If it's an easy unplug and plug n go then I'll probably do it.

Not sure how easy swapping the Omori gauge in would be. That thick black line at the bottom of the gauge is a vacuum line (I believe), so if the Omori gauge also uses a vacuum line, and you can get the old line off easily, then I'd say it's worth a look. I'm happy with the look of the stock gauge for now...if I feel the need for a bigger one I'll be going with the Defi BF

03-24-2005, 06:49 PM	#1
nandanrp Indiatr0n in yo IWDPL Car: 05FTW OBP STi Fav Mod: Brum Brum Location: downtown Chicago Posts: 48,821 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	Well before I jumped in and converted my OEM boost gauge to red, I did a search on here to see if I could find some pictures of what I was going to get myself into. I didn't find any threads with pictures or complete instructions, so I figured I would put pictures of mine up...I know it's fairly simple, but I'm sure there are others out there who wouldn't mind seeing these for future reference. First of all, let me say that the rubber housing around the boost gauge has a really, really good grip on the gauge. It took some time, a few flathead screwdrivers, and some sore thumbs before I got the gauge out of there... When you are getting the screwdrivers in there, you need to stretch the rubber housing and stick the flathead in (if you don't stretch it by hand, the screwdriver won't make it very far in there). Also, avoid putting a screwdriver at the top (12 o'clock position) as the power connector is there and you don't want to break it. I didn't know this until I had the gauge out, so avoid that mistake. One last picture with the white gauge, just so people can see the difference... After the gauge was out, I unplugged the brown power connector (it is at the top of the gauge, just a simple push and it slid right off). There is a small black piece under this power connector - it holds the bulb. Turn it counter-clockwise (if you are facing the back of the gauge) and with about a quarter-turn it will come out. Pull it straight out - the OEM gauge has a blue bulb condom on it. I tried to pull the condom off without tearing it, but it's very thin and rips easily. The hole in the picture below is where the bulb came out of (sorry, it's a crappy, blurry picture) The red bulb condoms (ordered from parts express, these are the ones I bought) are a little longer than the bulb, so I had to cut off about 1/4" from the end. All ready to go back in... Line the gauge up with "TURBO" horizontally (unless you want to rotate it...) and then push it back into the rubber cup. Here's how it turned out: Yes, the red needle on the boost gauge is a bit hard to see, but the white lighting on the boost gauge used to glare a lot, and this is much easier on the eyes at night. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-25-2005, 04:58 AM	#6
nandanrp Indiatr0n in yo IWDPL Car: 05FTW OBP STi Fav Mod: Brum Brum Location: downtown Chicago Posts: 48,821 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: RE: evil car Thanks guys, I figured I'd show some of the others what they are getting into I added some tips regarding the screwdrivers - don't put one up at the top (12 o'clock, above where it says "TURBO") because the power connector is up there and you don't want to accidentally snap it with a screwdriver. 15 hours later and my thumbs are still sore from pulling on that rubber housing

03-25-2005, 07:12 AM	#9
kat398 Gold Member Location: Texas Posts: 130 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: RE: turbo timer? cool.

03-24-2005, 08:34 PM	#2
*BoostJunkie* Sold My Soul For Mods Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 6,359 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (12)	nice work, that looks really good.

03-24-2005, 08:36 PM	#3
JJ18Sniper Silver Member Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: DB 20G, Diamond Black BBS RE's, S2K retrofit Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 4,459 Join Date: Jul 2004 Trader Rating: (5)	Thanks for the writeup! I'm definitely gonna do this mod.

03-24-2005, 10:01 PM	#4
Usdmsti STI Driver Car: Black 04 WRX STI Location: CT Posts: 295 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	dude you are the reason I save money and grow balls to do things like this = ) thanks man Thumbs for kick ass write up

03-25-2005, 04:40 AM	#5
*gixxer6* sponge worthy Location: Mountains of NC Posts: 1,580 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	cool, looks good i think i'll try this too. thanks for the write up this should be a sticky

03-25-2005, 06:27 AM	#7
Paperchasin Authorized Vendor Location: SoCal Posts: 2,862 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (70)	good job!!! i would've gone with an omori 45mm gauge myself, since its already red lit and slightly larger....

03-25-2005, 10:52 AM	#11
SpeedFactory Senior STI Driver Car: 05 STi PSM 12.7 @ Fav Mod: Fujitsubo RM-01A hands down! Location: Maryland Posts: 391 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	This is a great write up. I will be doing this soon. Paperchasin: I like your idea of squeezing in the larger omori gauge in there as well. If it's an easy unplug and plug n go then I'll probably do it.

03-25-2005, 11:28 AM	#12
stiLLMELLO Junior STI Driver Car: 05 wrb sti Fav Mod: cf hood Location: nj Posts: 127 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	def. should be a sticky .. thanx for the writeup .. immma start this mod rite away

03-25-2005, 01:14 PM	#13
05SilverSTI Spec C Club Car: 05 silver/silver STI Location: S.I NY / Boulder CO Posts: 1,532 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	looks good. thanks for the writeup.

03-25-2005, 03:02 PM	#14
slow_sti Junior STI Driver Location: east TN Posts: 178 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	definately doin it to mine