[philrae]

Is it worth adding a boost gauge to a 2008 STi?
Let me clarify a bit. I understand that if I were going to be trying 'home-brew tweaks' to the car it is essential to check I have not messed things up. However, if you are running a stock tune or 'out the box' Cobb or Perrin stage 1 or 2, is it still required or just a cool looking toy?
Will the ECU monitoring function of the AccessPort be good enough or even required at all?
Can you learn anything useful from boost gauge regarding turbo health before a big pop? Or, do you just look down at the gauge and confirm that you just sucked the rotor parts into the engine as the bad sound implied?
Personally, I have no interest in extra gauges unless they serve a practical purpose.
Thanks for your time.

[TheLimitedProject]

Originally Posted by philrae

Is it worth adding a boost gauge to a 2008 STi?
Let me clarify a bit. I understand that if I were going to be trying 'home-brew tweaks' to the car it is essential to check I have not messed things up.
You wouldn't be using a gauge to tune. You'd be logging data on your laptop and adjusting your tune from there

However, if you are running a stock tune or 'out the box' Cobb or Perrin stage 1 or 2, is it still required or just a cool looking toy?
IMO, a boost gauge is never a waste. It's not a cool looking toy unless you have a boost gauge on a NA car . It's very useful to monitor boost averages over the long term. If you normally boost at 14psi and over a few drives, you notice that your boost is creeping to 16-17psi, you know something is up. If you feel like your car isn't pulling as hard, and you see you're hitting only 10 or 11 psi, again you know something is up.

A boost gauge isn't 100% accurate, but it'll give you a decent indication of what your turbo is doing. From that, you can extrapolate to other parts if something is up.

Will the ECU monitoring function of the AccessPort be good enough or even required at all?
The AP readouts aren't bad... it's just awkward unless you find a mount for it. Plus the OBDII cable sticking out at the bottom between your legs is a small pain in the ass.

The only other downside is the ECU won't read past 18.4PSI, so the AP won't show boost higher than that.

Can you learn anything useful from boost gauge regarding turbo health before a big pop? Or, do you just look down at the gauge and confirm that you just sucked the rotor parts into the engine as the bad sound implied?
You'd know if you were constantly overboosting, dangerously spiking, or creeping. If it was a one time event and your engine went, there's nothing any gauge could do.

Personally, I have no interest in extra gauges unless they serve a practical purpose.
Thanks for your time.

Good luck with it! IMO, get a gauge.

[inpuressa]

"The only other downside is the ECU won't read past 18.4PSI, so the AP won't show boost higher than that."

So that means that electrical boost gauges won't either. Only mechanical gauges can tell you how much you are shooting past target boost.

[blindfold]

Originally Posted by inpuressa

"The only other downside is the ECU won't read past 18.4PSI, so the AP won't show boost higher than that."

So that means that electrical boost gauges won't either. Only mechanical gauges can tell you how much you are shooting past target boost.

No. Electrical boost gauge has its own boost sensor which is independent of ECU parameters, or else all the Defi gauges that can read up to 28psi only goes up to 18.

[gr00vy07]

all turbo cars need a boost gauge. You always want to know if you are hitting target boost or creeping, spiking, etc..

[Draco-REX]

And the #1 reason to get a boost gauge on a stock car... <drumroll>

Better gas mileage!

If you have a boost gauge, you can learn to keep the car out of boost while just driving around town. This will keep your consumption down and save you a little at the pumps. My STI will average 19-20mpg on a tank of just city driving in the summer and my WRX will do 20-21.

[philrae]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I am now sold on the idea.
Any good links/photos as to where to 'T' the gauge on the 2008 STi?
Is there a standard way to route the hose or wire through the firewall and get it to the steering column.
It seems the Subaru after-market gauge is $175-200 and looks ok when fitted. There seem to be plenty of other backlighted mechanical gauges available, however I am having trouble finding a single housing for them that does not look large, cheap and tacky. Any recommendations?
Again, thanks for the opinions.

[gr00vy07]

Here's the thread that I used to install my boost gauge. It's a thread for defi's but It is useful cause it has good pics and shows how to route your cables/hoses.
DEFI BF install -Step by step with pics - 24 May - INSTALL COMPLETE

[bue car]

i read its good so you know if you are hitting the right levels :]

[Peleg]

an oil pressure gauge is a very important addition to a boost gauge.

[paikman]

some people don't like it, but i install my gauges ****eyed, so the my target is at around 12 o clock. I'll probably put 20 psi at 12 o clock on this model. Since it's hard to always focus..but this way you know immediately if the needle creeps to the right to let off the throttle

[SirMattieP]

Wait... So while you drive and your boost gauge does its thing. Once you stop you can read back to see if you spiked or not?? Like how will you know if you are or not and if your too low and that stuff?

[paikman]

Originally Posted by SirMattieP

Wait... So while you drive and your boost gauge does its thing. Once you stop you can read back to see if you spiked or not?? Like how will you know if you are or not and if your too low and that stuff?

Defi BF series with control unit will let u do this. u can record and playback.
thats what i do after before a run, set it to record, then i watch after if i cant view it/pay attention during.

[SirMattieP]

sickkkkkkkkkk. Whered you mount your Defi gauge on the 08?

[PortlandSTI]

Yeah, i would love to see some photos of where you guys are mounting them on the 08's.