New Owner...stock boost gauge only sometimes shows boost?

[Gucci_Mane]

New owner here of a 2004 Cobra. When I test drove the car, the stock gauge worked fine. I got the car home today, drive great, love the car. Was home for a few hours and went out to get a bite to eat. I notice that sometimes the boost gauge will show boost, but other times it won't. If I stab the gas, it will show boost, but if I ease into the throttle upwards of 5k RPMs, sometimes it doesnt show boost. Is something wrong?

I know the car is running good and can hear the blower loud and clear. Loose wire or something? At what RPM does the car build boost?

 

[SonicDTR]

It will only build boost under a load. So if you are cruising at 5k rpm, not accelerating I dont think there would be any boost, maybe a slight amount. Sounds like your gauge is working just fine to me. If you do a WOT pull 1-3 and the guage stays pegged then you know its working.

 

[insane99svt]

It is always building boost but the higher the rpm the more the engine needs so it will not actually build pressure above what the engine is taking if it is at a steady rpm just like he said above it would have to be under a load even turbo cars do this but you can check the boost/vaccum line mine came off once and was still catching the charged air and would read like 4 psi instead of 17psi The hose is behind the s/c towardsthe passenger side I believe mine has a whipple on it I guess they are the same.

 

[xenodragon]

The stock guage is a POS....you will only see the boost guage go up when you nail it

 

[Gucci_Mane]

I think its working fine guys...maybe just a little new owner paranoia..thanks for the responses

 

[Jomo1994z71]

yep, agreed...you really have to nail it for it to go into boost in 4th...1-3rd different story

 

[dan04gt]

The stock guage is a POS....you will only see the boost guage go up when you nail it

Nothing wrong with the stocker IMO in
fact its supposed to be quite accurate.

 

[mrose75]

yep, agreed...you really have to nail it for it to go into boost in 4th...1-3rd different story

+1, blame it on the paranoia.

 

[04CobraMatt]

Nothing wrong with the stocker IMO in
fact its supposed to be quite accurate.

Agreed, its very accurate.

 

[orange_whiner]

It has to do with engine load and vacuum. The bypass valve will stay open as long as there is a vacuum, which will hinder or limit the boost. It is completely normal.

 

[Steve2050]

When i test drove mine, I noticed the boost gauge hardy moved. I asked the previous owner what's up with that and the car sure did not feel like a 390+ hp car.

He answered back " did you have the traction control ON "
I answered back " Yep "
He just laughed.:rolling: