Trying to install my boost gauge....

[ftreefiddy]

Ok, I'm trying to install my boost gauge, pyro, and tranny temp. The most important gauge in this is the boost, because I don't think it's building any boost. I don't hear my turbo spool, or anything.

The problem is, I can't find anywhere to T in. Can someone post a pic, or tell me if I'm missing something? I can't find ANYWHERE to install the sensor

 

[The Warden]

What turbo kit do you have? Or, is it a factory turbo?

That can make a big difference in where the boost gauge goes.

On my non-gated ATS setup, there was a pipe plug on the adapter that goes between the turbo outlet and the intake manifold...put the hose there and all was well! I don't know if other turbo kits have this in the same spot or not...

 

[ftreefiddy]

What turbo kit do you have? Or, is it a factory turbo?

That can make a big difference in where the boost gauge goes.

On my non-gated ATS setup, there was a pipe plug on the adapter that goes between the turbo outlet and the intake manifold...put the hose there and all was well! I don't know if other turbo kits have this in the same spot or not...

It's a stock setup as far as I know. I just bought the truck in December.

 

[pafixitman]

You need to fill in your sig so we know what we are dealing with. You don't even tell us what kind of turbo. On my ATS, I removed the pipe plug on the intake hat and installed the boost gauge hook up there.

 

[The Warden]

If you could be so kind as to click on "User CP" on the top left of the screen, then click "Edit Signature" on the left once the new screen loads, and then give some details about your truck (year, what equipment is on it, etc) in the box, it would be greatly appreciated. It'll help everyone to figure things out without having to ask questions like that. I usually don't show my signature (no real need to), but I'm enabling it at the bottom of this post to give you an idea on how to handle it.

IIRC, factory turbos were only around for '93 and '94...and are essentially an ATS setup with the Ford emblem on the air filter instead of the ATS logo. They may not have a provision for a boost gauge hookup, in which case you'll need to drill and tap a hole...

Hope that helps a little...good luck!

 

[ftreefiddy]

Sorry about that. It's a 1994 F-350, 7.3 factory turbo. Obviously IDI, not the powerstroke. 4WD and automatic. The turbo says Garrett on it, but like I said I just bought the truck, and don't know what all has been done to it. As far as I know, it's stock. I'll go see if I can find a number on the turbo.

 

[pafixitman]

Behind / underneath the ********* air filter housing, there is a intake hat about 6" in diameter. On the top it should have roughly a 3/8" square head pipe plug. Remove it and install the gauge there. I thought I had a good picture, but I don't. Waiting for the sitter to get here so we can go out for dinner!

 

[ftreefiddy]

A/R 7.0 and M43 are the only numbers I can see on the turbo.

 

[ftreefiddy]

Just found another number stamped in to the turbo inlet, is 8709 1

 

[deanj]

On the stock set up you will find a pipe plug in the snail (the aluminum thing that sits on the intake manifold) remove and use for your boost guage. You will have to remove the air filter housing to get to the snail. Where are you mounting your pyro and trans temp guage?.

 

[ftreefiddy]

On the stock set up you will find a pipe plug in the snail (the aluminum thing that sits on the intake manifold) remove and use for your boost guage. You will have to remove the air filter housing to get to the snail. Where are you mounting your pyro and trans temp guage?.

Not sure yet. I did a search some time ago, and found some pics of a pyro install on here. I'll probably dig them up again, and install mine in the same place.


Ok, so I think I know why this truck is so sluggish. It's only building a pound of boost under normal acceleration. I can only get it to build up just under five pounds with my foot to the floor. I guess this is why I can't hear the turbo spool, and why it's lacking in the power department. Now I know all this, but don't know where to start as far as tracking the problem down. Any suggestions? I believe I read on here that it should make about 8 pounds of boost stock, so I definitely think there is *something* that needs adjustment or replacement.


Going to pull what I think is a wastegate actuator rod, and see if I can lengthen it any to pull some more boost out of it, and install the pyro and tranny temp gauge today.

 

[akoldnav]

The turbo will only build boost under load. If you are setting still and just revving the engine you will see no or very little boost. You might already know this but I thought I would say it anyway. Also do you know that you should be letting the egt temps cool down before you shut off the truck. It should be nearing 300 degrees F before you turn off the engine.

Sorry if you already know this, but somebody might not.

akoldnav

 

[The Warden]

One thing to consider...since you have a factory turbo, you also almost certainly have a factory downpipe. I believe someone's posted pictures of what one looks like on here, and to say that it's restrictive would be a gross understatement.

There is a kit available that replaces the downpipe and, I believe, the exhaust housing, with a setup that works far better. You might do a search on this forum for details, but it apparently makes a significant difference in terms of both power and sound (particularly if you make the muffler go bye-bye at the same time). I would give more details, but I've never dealt with this directly since I have an aftermarket turbo setup...

Hope this helps some...good luck!!

 

[ftreefiddy]

Ok, so I adjusted the wastegate actuator, and I'm now getting two pounds of boost under normal acceleration, and a max of 8. I can't tighten it up any more either.

 

[Freight_Train]

Ok, so I adjusted the wastegate actuator, and I'm now getting two pounds of boost under normal acceleration, and a max of 8. I can't tighten it up any more either.

ok,Do you still have the muffler?If so,dump it.That gives restriction and lowers boost.Also,make sure your filter is clean since if you can't get air in it won't make much boost.To make good boost you need 3 things,Air in,Air out and fuel.Boost doesn't make power.You can put 100Lbs into the engine and still have the same power(before the heads blow off) as a bone stock truck.You gotta have Fuel since Fuel makes exhaust and exhaust spins the turbo which inturn rams more air down the throat.But before you turn up the internal fuel screw you gotta install that Pyrometer.Best place is in the exhaust manifold or just past the nubby thingy on the crossover pipe.1200Degrees max temp(Mahle Emailed me and said Don't go over the temp that straight aluminum melts at) at this location.If you install farther away like after the turbo you gotta compensate.After the turbo you gotta add 300 degrees of cooling factor in so 900Degrees in the down pipe after the turbo equals 1200degrees at the head.Do not drill the pipe in place.Remove it so you can get all the chunkies from drilling outta the pipe.You don't want it getting blown though the turbo.100,000RPM turbine getting sand blasted is not cheap!As for the boost,12PSI is max on a IDI.Anything over that and it is a waste since the air charge gets so hot due to the heating of compression that it actually makes the air thinner and less of it.Think of it like those plastic mirrored ballons.Get one and put it in the fridge.It will be very loose like there isn't enough air.Let it warm and the gasses expand to where it is tight.Same thing happens in the intake.Hot air expands which means there is more volume but less mass.Also,too much boost(say over 15PSI) even with an intercooler is a bad thing.You can lift the heads off these engines easily.They have 21 to 1 compression.There have been many accounts of blown head gaskets,Warped heads,cracked heads,etc contributed to too much boost.These things can take a beating but they do have limitations due to design and with the 300+K on your clock it will be very easy to blow the headgaskets just due to age.That ain't no spring chicken you got there.