Boost gauge worth it?
 

Like the title says, do you think it is worth the $80 -$100 and time to put a boost gauge in or not? I'm contemplating it as I have one in my TDI.

What is the usual boost range the turbo on a 300D puts out anyway?

Also, just for curiousity sake and since it is not marked on the tach anywhere, what is redline on these motors. On my TDI it is about 4700 RPM, and I have had the 300D at 4500 RPM several times with no apparent issues.

Thanks,

Glenn

I have a boost and egt in my car. I love being able to see what the engine is doing. but unless your a gauge nerd or planning on changing things under the hood, there is no reason for the extra gauges.

If you do want to install gauges, this site has the best prices. Its where i got mine. they are VDO to match the stock cluster.

150-052 - VDO Cockpit Black Series Gauges: Boost and Turbocharger Gauges - egauges.com

The other problem is where to mount them. I made an A pillar pod. I got a lot of flack for it, but it really puts them in a nice readable place. I don't think the Mercedes interior looks good with extra gages, but my want to for gauges out weighed my fashion sense, and I thought the A pillar was a good compromise.

A fellow on here replaced his clock with a boost gauge. thats the best idea yet, but you loose your clock.

A 15 psi or 1 bar gauge should cover what a factory issue 617 turbo will blow. My solution which has been called everything from hokey to ghetto was to repurpose an economy gauge to display boost. The 124 Bourdon tube economy gauge has a range of about 7 psi between posts. I set it to show 5 psi min and 12 psi max, 5 psi being the point at which my back becomes friendlier with the seat back. The best part is the gauge is where I keep one eye focused when driving, as anyone who drives a 603.96 with an original head ought to do. jba007 (or something like that) has the earliest posts of this mod.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/245849-87-300d-gauge-cluster-innards-boost-gauge-mod.html

US 123s didn't come with quad gauges so you have to find a Euro quad gauge, or modify a 126 gasser or early 124 gasser quad gauge.

Sixto
87 300D

For the fun factor, definitely. You can find VDO gauges on eb*y for around $40 every now and then. The typical install replaces the ash tray with a gauge panel.

The stock setting seems to be around 9psi, the maximum that you need (without modifying the injection pump) is around 12psi

I put a gauge in when I put the 617Turbo into the 240D. I didn't re-install the over boost protection, so I thought a gauge would be good. I like it very much, I also installed an oil pressure gauge and a voltmeter gauge. I bought the gauges from Harbor freight, all three for about $60.00 and installed them in the ashtray area. A little hard to see, but I can read them.

Boost gauge
 

There are many ways and places to put a boost gauge (and other gauges). Here are two examples.

Jeremy


Gauge panel replaces ashtray in W123:

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...auges-W123.jpg


Gauge panel replaces ashtray in W124:

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...alled_6644.jpg

I have boost and voltage in mine, its very handy to have. usual boost levels are 10-13psi depending on load and turbo configuration.

I was glad I put one in because it's how I found out I was only getting 7 psi max...after fixing that, the car was a rocket ship by comparison. Second biggest drivability improvement I've ever made. (The biggest was turning up the ALDA.) I could have just installed it temporarily, but I like gauges...plus it got a laugh from the more performance-oriented guys when I showed up at a rallycross. ;)

Egauges has pretty good prices on VDO stuff. I used a 0-15 psi gauge and a gauge pod. Literally the hardest part of the job was bolting the gauge to the dash.