Factory boost gauge

Well, this forum seems to be a little slow lately, so let see if I can start a conversation.

Background: I have a 2014 GT500 with a stage 3 2.8L liquid-cooled KB kit. It has a catless H-pipe; exhaust is otherwise factory. I'm running 93 octane on a conservative 92 octane Lund tune. It's basically a garage queen street car; I don't put it on the strip. It has a factory crank pulley. The car runs great and is pretty fast; I think it would probably lay down a mid to high 10 with good driving.

My target boost pressure is 18 PSI. Based on all of the KB literature and forum posts I have researched, a 3.0" pulley on a setup like mine will get you there (or perhaps a pound or so higher). I originally had a 3.25" upper and the factory boost gauge would read a max of about 16 PSI...maybe an occasional 17 PSI on a cold night in optimal conditions. That was believable. I wanted to gain a consistent pound (or so) of boost, so I tried a 3.0" pulley. The factory gauge would read 20 PSI under full throttle. Ok, no big deal...naturally I didn't want to run that much boost on 93 octane, so I took the 3" off and moved to a 3.125" pulley. I didn't retune for the pulley swaps; KB techs said I shouldn't need to. The factory gauge still reads 20 PSI under full throttle. At this point, I don't believe it. It seemed accurate with the 3.25" pulley, but inaccurate with the 3.125" and/or 3.0" setup.

Reading through old posts here and on other forums, it is widely known that the factory gauge gives readings derived from the PCM and it isn't very accurate, especially after you start adding mods.

This isn't new information, but I'm just fishing for other people's experiences with the factory 13-14 boost gauge on modded applications...especially those with 2.8 KB kits or similar.

I'm planning to get a Roush vent pod with an Autometer mechanical boost gauge. I like the factory look. Thoughts on that setup?

Flaming welcomed; i'd like to spice the forum a little.

I have the Autometer cobalt gauge in Roush pod in '14 GT with Whipple. Instant and accurate readings for vaccuum and boost. Face is bright so I didn't feel the need to hook up the gauge light. Looks and works great. I think you will be very happy with it.

To make it really work perfectly I would have to keep the gauge and pod and swap out my GT for the same year GT500. Nice setup, man!

The factory boost gauge infers boost from programmed parameters. It does NOT read atmospheric pressure. With a tune, I wouldn't trust it to tell me just how much boost the supercharger is pushing. If you want to read boost, just put a real gauge in the car. I'm also running an electric Autometer Cobalt vacuum/boost gauge (middle pod). The light is hooked up and I'm using Autometer's dimmer controller.



Not a fan of the vent pod. I'm like an old dog and have to have air blowing on my face.

No flaming here - sounds like a nice setup.

I ran an Aeroforce Interceptor in a Roush vent pod before my power upgrade that included an nGauge. That's, now, mounted via a Ferraro Speed Driver Angled Vent Mount. I measure Boost via (one of three) Autometer Ford Racing Gauges mounted in an SOS Triple Gauge Pillar.



Catmonkey's points are spot-on! The Interceptor (which is a "standard" 2 1/16" size) reduced air flow a bit, but the nGauge virtually eliminates it.

Thanks for the replies and the pics guys. Those are nice setups. The SOS stuff looks OEM.

Yeah, I was a little weary of the vent being blocked with a big gauge. I do have a Lund NGauge, but I don't have it plugged in for regular driving. It's too hot down here for me to block off the vent completely.

Handlebar Moustache said:

Thanks for the replies and the pics guys. Those are nice setups. The SOS stuff looks OEM.

Yeah, I was a little weary of the vent being blocked with a big gauge. I do have a Lund NGauge, but I don't have it plugged in for regular driving. It's too hot down here for me to block off the vent completely.

Click to expand...

IIRC, SOS pillar pods begin as OEM/Ford A-pillars, onto which they attach the pods, so fit/finish/color match are all perfect. If you're thinking about one, don't hesitate.

Good call on the vent pod at your southern latitude! A "standard" 2 1/16" gauge will reduce air flow a bit, but won't block it completely.

Good timing on the post as I’ll be doing this also this winter.
Ideally we could reprogram the factory gauge display to read boost directly, and air fuel stoich reset for E85 would be skippy
I know Lund racing has a boost box Omega but I haven’t fully researched it.
I did go through the Innovate gauge options at PRI, so I’m looking an ethanol content sensor in addition to a boost gauge, a/f and a shift light.
I’ve been planning the SOS A-pillar as well as their cup holder switches.
So we know of the A-pillar options above, but anyone ever look into reprogramming the factory dash display gauges?
-J

Norton said:

IIRC, SOS pillar pods begin as OEM/Ford A-pillars, onto which they attach the pods, so fit/finish/color match are all perfect. If you're thinking about one, don't hesitate.

Click to expand...

That's exactly right, they start with new trim pieces and add the pods. You're more than welcome to take a look at mine if you're interested in getting one. They can only do that as long as Ford makes the parts. Ford no longer offers 07-09 trim pieces, but they can modify your OEM trim. I imagine Ford will discontinue the 10-14 parts in the not-too-distant future.

Another pod option is the Boss 302 gauge pod. I really preferred that setup, but could not bring myself to drill a hole in the middle of my dash.

Catmonkey said:

Another pod option is the Boss 302 gauge pod. I really preferred that setup, but could not bring myself to drill a hole in the middle of my dash.

Click to expand...

I like that pic. But I'm with you...my conscious won't let me drill holes in the dash like that.



@biminiLX If there were a way to reprogram/re calibrate the factory gauge, I'd pay.

I'm just fishing for other people's experiences with the factory 13-14 boost gauge on modded applications

Click to expand...

I'm running stock Trinity with 2.4 upper. Lund tuned. Rest of bolt on mods below.
Actual max boost on 2 chassis dynos was 16.3-16.5psi. My factory boost gauge reads 19-19.5 psi at WOT. I'd say at best it's reliable & consistent but not accurate. I'd guess another car with exact same mods could yield different readings on the factory gauge. I still always have on my boost gauge on just for fun!

I got a Boost Box Omega from Lund this week and am just going to run the damn NGauge full time on the left side of the dash, near the pillar. I really wanted something more discreet and factory looking, but since I already have the NGauge, I guess I'd be stupid not to run it and monitor everything else (IAT2, Knock, Spark, ECT, etc).

The instructions that they print out and give you in the box aren't great, but the PDF on their website is decent. They don't give you a vacuum 'T' or any hose. For the $160 you pay, they should just throw that crap in there. I hooked it up and calibrated it tonight; didn't get a chance to go test drive it though. Seems to be working ok (so far as I can tell without getting into boost).

Update on the Boost Box Omega for anyone searching the topic. It seems to correlate well with a cheap analog boost gauge that I bought to use as an independent reference. Comparing those with what is in the instrument cluster tells me that the factory gauge is completely useless at this point.

Through 2012, the gauges only went up to 15 psi, so if it pegs, everyone is happy.