Hood-mounted boost gauge?

[QuickWE4]

All:

I saw in a recent post that Cotton sells a bracket that permits hood-mounted gauges without having to drill in the top of the hood (I guess it affixes from the bottom). Anyway, I desperately need a boost gauge. Is it acceptable to mount a boost gauge in this location? If so (and keep in mind that I'm a newbie in terms of wiring gauges), would the wiring be made more or less difficult because of the location? Typically, I see guys with hood-mounted tachs or fuel press. gauges, but I don't think I've run into a hood mounted boost gauge.

Thanks in advance
Rich

 

[GN-231]

Mount it on the driver side a-pillar ( pillar between driver and passenger window). Why would you want a boost gauge on the hood. The only reason the FP goes on the hood is become you have 42 psi of explosive fuel routed to the gauge....i.e. you could be a roasted marshmellow during an accident.

 

[GN-231]

Forgot to mention you can buy the a pillar pods cheaper than the hood mount stuff anyway. Plus the pillar mount is much easier to install

 

[strikeeagle]

I don't like hood mounted gauges for street cars:

Cop attracter
Thief attracter
Vandal attracter
Given to fogging
Given to rusting
Given to bug strikes
PITA when washing the car

Shall I go on? Naw, I didn't think so.

Now, it's true that for those who must have a fuel pressure gauge and must look at it all the time (???), the hood is the preferred place, as it eliminates the need for an isolator, which is expensive (and some say troublesome).

If it's strictly a race car, the hood is a great place to mount a boost gauge:

In your face
Very short run of pressure tubing from the boost harness up to the gauge
No poking the tubing through the firewall, running it under the dash, up into the A pillar, etc.
Pretty much eliminates the risk of kinking the tubing, pulling it out of the back of the gauge, etc.
Wiring-wise, if you don't care to light it (I don't race much at night), there is no wiring

Of course, I'm speaking of mechanical gauges...

 

[QuickWE4]

Hopefully, this will explain my post:

1. Car is a low mileage car that NEVER sees bad weather and, as a result, rarely needs to be washed (that's what 6 coats of Zaino are for). Fogging and or rusting are not an issue. 20k miles on the car, and it lives under a cover in a heated garage.

2. Why do I want a hood mounted boost gauge? Because I'd prefer to put a small hole underneath the hood (which can be plugged later on) rather than hack up my a pillar trim. Lotek stuff fits like crap, and I ain't drillin the stock stuff out.

3. My car attracts cops anyway. Over 5 trips totaling about 10 miles each, I was pulled over 4 times (once for the fact that I have collector car registration and the cop didn't recognize the sticker - NJ sucks). And my car is bone stock on the outside with the exception of the exhaust.

4. Jim Testa will kill me if I don't get a boost gauge soon, and the hood mount (if it's tastefully done) looks cool.

And considering what Strikeeagle had to say, I would think that the ease of wiring would be a BIG plus, not to mention I could get a bigger gauge.



Rich

 

[strikeeagle]

Oh, I didn't cover cool. Yes, a hood mounted, 2-5/8", Ultralite 30-0-30 boost gauge is all that.

Can't you make up a bracket that uses the holes for the underhood lamp, rather than cobble your hood? Don't forget clearance for the wipers, should you get caught in the rain.

BTW, rather than cut the factory boost line between the harness and MAP sensor, I simply removed it together with its vacuum fittings and tucked it away for safe keeping (who wants the factory boost gauge spewing out erroneous information anyway?). Then, I bought a proper vacuum fitting from HELP to go between the harness and 1/8" tubing (the diameter all the aftermarket gauges use)...

 

[QuickWE4]

Strike:

I don't think clearance to the wipers will be a problem...called cotton today and got a description of the bracket and it sounds like a trick piece - they didn't mention wiper clearance as a problem. Then again, I didn't ask either...

Just seems like a better option given the way I drive the car. I'm not crazy about a small hole in the underside of the hood, but it's better than holes in my interior as the hold underneath the hood could be plugged. Plus, it's only a small self-tapping screw...and since I want this gauge to be in line of sight, I thought the under-hood mount from Cotton's would be cool

Now, I just gotta pick a gauge....I'll check out those ultralites

Rich

 

[GN-231]

You probably can find somewhere to snake the boost pressure hose through with your factory firewall??? This would eliminate all your need for drilling a hole. Even if you do drill a hole in the firewall, you will never be able to see it. You can use a rubber grommet to make the job look tastefully done.
As far as the pillar pods, not many people ever drill into the a factory pillar, that is nuts. A good quality double sided tape will more than hold the boost gauge pod. They look fine, everyone does it.

You said lotek cuts holes in stuff? I think the have an entire replacement pillar that has the gauge pod molded into the pillar. You can always put the old pillar back on later if you want. I don't know if it fits like crap but seems like you could make it work.

IMHO, If you do have to drill, I would rather drill a small pin sized hole in an inconspicious part of the fire wall rather than at least 4 holes in the hood.

 

[bgn87]

I would definately get the whole replacement pillar for the boost gauge. Run the vaccuum line right thru the firewall under the brake pedal where the existing hole and grommet are. If you still want to do the hood mount, I have Cotton's bracket for my fuel pressure gauge. I can email you some pics if you want

 

[QuickWE4]

Thanks for the input everybody.....good suggestions....

Chris - I'd like to see that photo - can you email it to me? Send it to turbovsix@aol.com

I'm not happy with photos I've seen of the lotek replacement pillar - doesn't wrap around all the way.

According to Cotton's, the bracket attaches under the hood with a small self-tapping screw. No holes to drill on top. The gauge cup attaches to that bracket.

Thanks again for the feedback...

Rich

 

[Black Box]

QuickWE4,
I have Cotton's bracket on my GN, with an Ultra-Lite 2 5/8" FP gauge on it. It comes in stainless steel (painted mine black), and it uses 4 small self-tapping screws to mount it. There shouldn't be any problem if you're talking about a line for a boost gauge, but my Auto Meter braided steel fuel line rubs on the wiper arm....doesn't affect the function at all though, it's just gonna rub the paint off it sooner or later.

Steve

 

[bwallace]

Just finished installing a boost gauage on the A pillar. I ran the tubing through the exsisting gorment for the speedometer cable, along with the wires for new temp and oil gauges. The only problems I ran into was the tubing, it was bear to work with, the tubing comes rolled and is not very forgiving when you try to run it from the engine compartment to the gauge pod, you need to unwind and leave streched out for a day or so. I got the pod from Kirban's and it looks good, the color matches fine and the two sided tape really keeps it in place, I did drill a small hole, but the pod covers it up and I don't plan on moving it any time soon. The install only took me about 1 1/2 hours, oil/temp where another story.

 

[strikeeagle]

Well, here are a couple of ideas:

On the braided fuel line wearing a hole in something, I bought a 4' length of black shrink tubing from a local electrical supply house. Cut it to length. Shrunk it over the line. It looks and works great - no rubbing anymore. I lubed the shrink tubing up after it was on the line with a little vinyl and rubber conditioner. Gets it black and helps it slide. Just make sure you get the right diameter and shrink ratio - take your braided line with you...

On the boost gauge pressure tubing being all coiled up (they have to jam it in that teenie weenie package, you know), I bought a coil of 1/8" pressure tubing from a local instrument supply house. Actual, they gave me a big coil of it, for nothin'. Large radii. Problem solved.

 

[bwallace]

I am just glad they jammed enough in there after all the kinks I created unwinding the stuff I was lucky to make it to the pod. Next time I will take your advice.