Two Pod Autometer Boost and EGT

Ripster · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 7:54 pm

Spent most of today installing a pillar pod for my Autometer Lunar
Series Boost and EGT. For boost I drilled and tapped into intercooler line like
I did in my VW. I could find no other source I liked. There is a gromet on the
firewall that you can push through after punching a hole to bring the boost and
EGT wires through. Then finding ground and a key on source and light source
and tap into those wires. Then the handle had to go, but kept the plastic parts
to lock down the current piller covering, as the pod attached to the current piller
covering, minus the handles.

Drilled a hole so the adapter would screw in, used JB Weld to seal up the threads and outside.
Removed the hose while drilling to eliminate any particles in the intake.

This is the location of the firewall access point. Drilled hole in the middle of the rubber grommet.
This is above the accelerator pedal inside up and out of the way of moving parts.

Finished product

Old Navy this unit makes boost all the time. Saw over 20, but not over 25. Runs between
600-800 on the EGT within 2 inches of the turbo, will cool down to 500 in drive and about
400 in park after a minute or so. Took most of the day, this one is a bear compared to a TDI.
Grounds are minimal under the dash, lots of plastic crap. But it is sure great to have a window to what
is going on. Crusing down the road at 65, the EGT was at 780 and steady, even on a long
grade.

Autometers can be bought most anywhere gauges are sold. I ordered the pillar to fit a 2002 Liberty and
up and it fit almost perfect.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

I bought that exact pillar gauge pod, and Autometer Cobalt series EGT and Boost gauges. Was all set to install last Saturday, but Friday my tranny went south. I had to do a brake and rotor job today on my 02 V6 Libby so Memorial day I will get it in. The boost gauge has a map sensor that converts from boost to electrical so it has to be mounted as well.

I was looking today at the turbo - looks like removing the overflow tank and heat shield above the turbo is a must do before drilling and tapping the exhaust manifold.

When I look at the pyrometer probe, it just slides inside the drilled and threaded lock nut. Nothing but an allen set screw keeps it in place. Looks like it would leak exhaust. Did you drill pre or post turbo?

Ripster · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 8:10 pm

I went to my muffler shop that has done my last three turbos, removed the exhaust.
Drilled a hole in the exhaust, welded the threaded plug in, then it all threads in.
Crossmember was taken off, exhaust removed from muffler all the way to the
turbo. This exhaust is held in place with a ring like on the cummins. Two flanges
held in place with a ring. That put the probe within two inches of the turbo exhaust.
All done from below, the probe was installed and the connectors were up along side
the overflow tank, never had to get under the vehicle again with the rest of the install.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 8:32 pm

One of the cleanest installs I have seen Ripster, you have done excellent work and should be proud.

Now if I did the same and got rid of the wife's grab bar (she's 5'2") I might wake up with the bed on fire. I need to start watching and see if she really uses the bar and if not I may do one later.

Man the local dealer sure tried to put me into a pretty Inferno Red Limited with side airbags, but I might do it if the ride to MI goes ok. When I made the trip in the Magnum the trip was easy, in the Jetta I was wore out and took a week to get over the trip.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Has the Transgo still ended the tranny shudder ? Still looking for a solution on mine.

Ripster · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 9:09 pm

Took a 200 mile trip on Friday and still no shudder, tonight was on it pretty good trying to see
the boost numbers and how much heat I could get on the EGT and when letting off, did not
have any shudder. So for now it seems to have disappered, but like anything, you hate to
jinx yourself and say it is fixed, but so far so good.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Sounds good. With all the TQ failures, I've lost track - is yours one that had the TQ replaced prior to installing the Transgo ?

Ripster · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 10:12 pm

No, all I have had done is the latest flash, bought mine new left over about 30 days ago now.

Ripster · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 10:39 pm

Here is the night time lunar glow!!

One of them is a bit brighter than the other, have to check the bulbs.

TurboC5 · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 8:46 pm

Where did you find that gauge pod?

Ripster · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 8:52 pm

Found the pod at http://www.gaugepods.com/jeep.html

Have a replacement boost gauge being sent to replace this one as
they do not use bulbs and this one is defective. Ordered from
Dons Sport Vehicle--two locations in Michigan, they have been
great and have taken care of my order with great detail.

AndySRT · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 8:58 pm

has anyone tried T ing into the wastegate line at the turbo for a boost source rather than tapping into the intercooler?

oldnavy · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 9:41 pm

Nope we haven't, but we will all wait for your report. :wink:

BCool · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 9:47 pm

I don't believe that we have a waste gate.

Endurance · **Posted:** Mon May 22, 2006 11:05 pm

That is so awesome!!! I wonder how much it would cost to let a professional store install all this.

AndySRT · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 12:19 am

BCool wrote:

I don't believe that we have a waste gate.

every turbo has a wastegate to control boost. that little metal can on the top of turbo is the wastegate. I'm gonna try it this weekend. I'll get back to you all.

TurboC5 · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 1:03 am

VNT turbos do not have waste gates. They do have little metal cans called actuators, but the actuator on a VNT turbo doesn't open a waste gate passage it changes the geometry of the turbine housing. The actuator adjusts the pitch on the internal vanes to drive the turbine wheel with the needed force to generate a set boost level.

You will find that the vacuum line going to the actuator will not be a good source for your boost gauge. It's a controlled signal to the actuator buy the PCM to regulate boost. You will want to run your boost gauge to a source on the cold side of the intercooler.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 2:16 am

AndySRT wrote:

BCool wrote:

I don't believe that we have a waste gate.

every turbo has a wastegate to control boost. that little metal can on the top of turbo is the wastegate. I'm gonna try it this weekend. I'll get back to you all.

Snicker, sniker, we got you on this one. Better do a little more reading there youngster, this ain't your SRT4. Which is a heck of a stock rocket.

AndySRT · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 6:51 am

I didnt realize the CRD was a VNT. I havent seen a VNT turbo on a car since dodge had the daytona VNT.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Tue May 23, 2006 7:23 am

AndySRT wrote:

I didnt realize the CRD was a VNT. I havent seen a VNT turbo on a car since dodge had the daytona VNT.

Don't recall those turbo'd dodge 4-bangers being VGT's, they were relatively old tech. The two I pulled apart (Caravan & New Yorker) had waste gates.

Two Pod Autometer Boost and EGT

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