Differences/benefits of Mechanical or Electric Boost Gauges?

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by BelvnAWD, Mar 19, 2007.

  1. BelvnAWD

    BelvnAWD I'm Vin, Bell-Vin...

    Anyone care to comment on which one is "better" and why? I would like to get a boost gauge in the near future and wonder which one is going to provide the better option. Thanks for any info....
     
  2. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    from my old research:

    electrical gauges: sensor is in the engine bay... an electrical signal is sent from the sensor to the gauge.
    mechanical gauge: the sensor is in the gauge itself... hence the vacuum line must run into the cabin

    i prefer electrical because the vacuum line is shorter
     
  3. Mechanical boost gauges are usually cheaper and just as accurate, if not moreso, than electrical boost gauges...... electrical gauges have the advantage of playback sequences or warning lights, and may be easier to install, especially if you're doing several gauges at once (Autometer Nexus or any Defi gauges that require a control box for example)....... for any other gauge I would use electrical, but for boost mechanical is fine...... I have run them on my WRXs and my STi with no problems
     
  4. clemsonscooby

    clemsonscooby Active Member

    Do you want to run an oil line into your car? For air lines and electrical monitoring, its easy to run a mechanical, but I don't want to run fluids into the car, so electircal gauge would be better for that.
     
  5. GTscoob

    GTscoob Black is Beautiful

    Yeah, any gauge with hot fluid running into it I'd definately go electric with. Boost gauge is just a long vacuum line that has the potential to kink. I got an autometer mechanical boost gauge for $~35 a couple years back and have no regrets about it.
     
  6. BelvnAWD

    BelvnAWD I'm Vin, Bell-Vin...

    Great, thanks guys! Now if James...err, I mean Greg will build the CF Gauge Pods, I will be all set...
     
  7. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    The noticeability will be minimal but it is said that electrical gauges are quicker and display quicker to real time data.
     

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