low dollar boost guage - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lutzTD · #16 03-09-2008, 08:50 PM

got the VDO in, came out nice. cut everything but the wood for the second gauge. If I can find a cheap pyro guage ill put it in otherwise no need for now. not hooked up yet, but I will tee it off the alda line somewhere on the firewall, still need to get the banana label off from a PO...

TheDon · #17 03-09-2008, 08:59 PM

my boost guage from autozone kinda broke.. It would read boost but when the car was off it would stick at 1 psi.. I still need to get a new one(I removed it) and install it.. as well as a pyrometer.. and mount them somewhere neat

bpeters2 · #18 03-09-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhodes2010

Put a simple tee at the alda line after boost protection.

where do you tap the ALDA hardline?

Between banjo and switch
or
between switch and IP?

lutzTD · #19 03-09-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpeters2

where do you tap the ALDA hardline?

Between banjo and switch
or
between switch and IP?

actually I have my switch removed, but I will put it before the switch so the switch doesnt turn it off and i will know what's going on.

Admiral Ahani · #20 03-09-2008, 10:16 PM

Where would be a good place to buy an EGT gauge (pryometer) and where is a good location to tap in the sender?

Are these the only two gauges that are really "needed" or do people get oil temp gauges for these cars?

lutzTD · #21 03-09-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral Ahani

Where would be a good place to buy an EGT gauge (pryometer) and where is a good location to tap in the sender?

Are these the only two gauges that are really "needed" or do people get oil temp gauges for these cars?

i followed an earlier link from this thread. I like the VDO becuase they match the dash. there are clamp on thermocouples and screw in type. I will most likely get a clamp on type TC and a VDO guage that matches the boost guage.

JimmyL · #22 03-09-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

got the VDO in, came out nice. cut everything but the wood for the second gauge. If I can find a cheap pyro guage ill put it in otherwise no need for now. not hooked up yet, but I will tee it off the alda line somewhere on the firewall, still need to get the banana label off from a PO...

Hey Lutz, do you have a pic of what the inside of that ash tray cover looks like? I just ordered the JC Whitney boost guage and your location intrigues me.......
I guess it is pretty easy to find the 1/4" nylon tubing and a T fitting?

BodhiBenz1987 · #23 03-09-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I guess it is pretty easy to find the 1/4" nylon tubing and a T fitting?

Try Autozone, I found an inexpensive tubing kit with tube + all the fittings. There was not a T-fitting, but you can pick up one of those at the MB dealer or I'm sure from FastLane. (Actually I would think Autozone has them too).

As for the ashtray mount, I think you have to remove the "guts" of the ashtray to fit the gauge in there, at least I did for my 87. I didn't use the wooden ashtray cover, but could have put it back on after taking out the ashtray itself. I'm going to build a custom wood panel that also incorporates the 12v outlet so I can charge the cell/bluetooth conveniently. Just need to find a reasonable quantity of zebrano veneer.

JimmyL · #24 03-09-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

Try Autozone, I found an inexpensive tubing kit with tube + all the fittings. There was not a T-fitting, but you can pick up one of those at the MB dealer or I'm sure from FastLane. (Actually I would think Autozone has them too).

Very good. Something else to add to my Autozone rewards card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

As for the ashtray mount, I think you have to remove the "guts" of the ashtray to fit the gauge in there, at least I did for my 87. I didn't use the wooden ashtray cover, but could have put it back on after taking out the ashtray itself. I'm going to build a custom wood panel that also incorporates the 12v outlet so I can charge the cell/bluetooth conveniently. Just need to find a reasonable quantity of zebrano veneer.

I like the though of a 12V outlet there also. I have one mounted in the top of the glove box, but this might work better. I guess I need to find my extra ashtray and go to town.
Oh, btw, you need to get to that "I'm going to" and get that project done!

BodhiBenz1987 · #25 03-10-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Very good. Something else to add to my Autozone rewards card.

I like the though of a 12V outlet there also. I have one mounted in the top of the glove box, but this might work better. I guess I need to find my extra ashtray and go to town.
Oh, btw, you need to get to that "I'm going to" and get that project done!

Doh, I just remembered I bought that kit at NAPA, not Autozone. I saw a similar kit at Autozone, though, hence the confusion. Long week!

I have to wait to finish my project because of the weather ... I have nowhere to spray that's "climate controlled."

I have a screened-in porch I can use, but I don't want to do it in temps that are too low because it may not dry optimally. March is so stubborn ... it keeps getting close to good weather, than bam, it's 35 degrees again.

omegabenz · #26 03-10-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

got the VDO in, came out nice. cut everything but the wood for the second gauge. If I can find a cheap pyro guage ill put it in otherwise no need for now. not hooked up yet, but I will tee it off the alda line somewhere on the firewall, still need to get the banana label off from a PO...

That looks great. I was going to make an aluminum plate for there, but I know that would be a lot of work.

Did you just use a hole saw?

lutzTD · #27 03-10-2008, 06:43 AM

remove the wood from the plastic ash tray, then 2" hole saw through the ash tray front, then some filing to get it to 2-1/16. I put the wood back on then roto zipped the wood using the hole in the plastic to guide it. worked out pretty good.

omegabenz · #28 03-10-2008, 06:53 AM

The reason that I had been putting this off so long was because I didnt want to mess up the wood, and I was going to make an aluminum plate and make machining marks in the face like the R129 SL silver arrow, but I never made time. I can do the wood one. I'm hard to impress, but I think you did a fantastic job.

I welded in the bung fitting for the EGT probe when I replaced the starter. Ive got some special fittings to tap into the intake manafold at the firewall for the boost gauge. I was also going to add a cigar lighter adatper that I got from radio shack to the right of both gauges (to avoid hitting the shifter). Ill let you know.

lutzTD · #29 03-10-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

I'm going to build a custom wood panel that also incorporates the 12v outlet so I can charge the cell/bluetooth conveniently. Just need to find a reasonable quantity of zebrano veneer.

thats smart, where are you guys when I start these projects.....

heres the pyrometer Im thinking of, it clamps on. not as accurate but good enough for me. I wont buy from these guys though, the charge $11 shipping and a "one time handling charge" of $12. I dont like the sneaky stuff.

rhodes2010 · #30 03-11-2008, 12:29 AM

Picture is of my JCWhitney unit using
the included mount plate.

I did not want to cut my ashtray.

This bracket is sort of press fit into the hush panel dashboard seam.

My ashtray location has three 12v power accessory ports....