AFR and Boost gauges

[nitris223]

I am looking into a turbo for my nytro and I need some input on the gauges. The kit is a stage 1 Ulmer turbo with a PCV - PTI controller . I have been looking at some of the gauges out there and it seems like AEM and Innovate are the top two for the AFR gauge and then it's a dogs breakfast for the Boost gauge. I would like digital for the AFR because I think it would be pretty hard to see .5 afr increases on a analog gauge that is 2" diameter. As for the boost I can find larger 2 5/8" gauges. Most I found were 0-35 psi range and reasonably priced but where I am low boost I started looking for a 0-15 psi range for easier reading. Those 15 psi gauges are some of the most expensive gauges.
What are most of you guys running, digital or analog. If analog, is mechanical better then electrical or vice versa. Never had a turbo before and I want to cover all the bases and keep me out of as much trouble as possible. I see lots of guys run without any gauges even though they seem to be recommended quite often.

I also found a PLX AFR system but the brain box doesn't look to water proof for sledding. Nice compact gauge depth wise and has a lot of feature in one gauge.

Anyone running the AEM AFR/Boost fail safe gauge. One less gauge to have that way.

 

[MrSled]

I run Innovate boost and Water Temp... most accurate and one of the best. I have the New PCV Screen to show AFR, RPM, %throttle and pressure.

 

[nitris223]

Tom , is that the Pod 300 from Power commander that has the AFR, boost , temp and so on . What kind of price was that. I looked into the Koso X2 but there seems to be a 50/50 mix on if it is good or not. I know that is over $500 here in Canada.

 

[MrSled]

Tom , is that the Pod 300 from Power commander that has the AFR, boost , temp and so on . What kind of price was that. I looked into the Koso X2 but there seems to be a 50/50 mix on if it is good or not. I know that is over $500 here in Canada.

Not sure on the price on the Pod300... I did some work for Ulmer and he set me up. I have a Koso 2 and it works well but has issues on a Viper... you have to have a relay to fire the power off the headlight to turn it on in order for it to power without problems. The AFR circuit is really picky.

The Innovate Digital gauges can be found online for under $150 each...

Nice thing about the pod is you can data log, and set it to read just about anything from the PCV or Autotune.

 

[scuba_nytro]

Just picked up an innovative AFR and Boost gauge, liked the innovative boost gauge as it is a higher resolution gauge. 6.6 psi not 7 psi. Just mounted them both on the duel gauge mount from Hurricane performance. Very happy with how it looks.

 

[MrSled]

Just picked up an innovative AFR and Boost gauge, liked the innovative boost gauge as it is a higher resolution gauge. 6.6 psi not 7 psi. Just mounted them both on the duel gauge mount from Hurricane performance. Very happy with how it looks.
View attachment 102243

Looks awesome!! I changed mine to white face since the Apex is whiteish

 

[nitris223]

I am going to get a Innovate AFR but I am still undecided on the boost gauge. I found a nice analog boost gauge that is only 15 psi max and in broken down nicely between the numbers. I talked to one guy here that has had no luck with 3 Digital boost gauges so I have been on the fence. APSX has a nice digital boost gauge that you can pre-set your max boost level and anything over that and the whole gauge lights up red and flashes like crazy. I did some looking and can't find any reviews on their stuff, this is their newest gauges that just came out in September. They have a AFR also for $149 and Boost for $100.

Tempted to buy the ASPX boost from wideband .com and the SW 15 psi analog gauge and mount them both and that way I could verify that the digital is accurate. The analog I could test pretty simple, not sure about the digital. I don't think I will have enough room on the nytro dash. AFR, Koso slim temp gauge and 2 boost gauges would be a tight fit.
Back to looking again . I do like the look of the innovate gauges, lots of guys say it is hard to read boost on a digital gauge. That pictures looks like it would be easier then a analog gauge.

 

[edge_232]

Check speedhut out for there boost gauges. They are fulling custom buildt from a wide variety of options. Plus I think they might have a Christmas sale right now. I can get you pics of mine if you want.

 

[nitris223]

I have seen some of the Speedhut gauges but they are pricey, though I haven't went to their website yet , nice gauges mind you.
I am tempted to go for the APSX wideband and boost gauge but I just can't get a reply from the company and they don't have a tech line for support, just email. I can get them landed for just under $300 CDN vs $410 landed for Innovate AFR and boost set. Tough call to drop $300 on something I can't find any info on besides what is on their website.

 

[nitris223]

Just picked up an innovative AFR and Boost gauge, liked the innovative boost gauge as it is a higher resolution gauge. 6.6 psi not 7 psi. Just mounted them both on the duel gauge mount from Hurricane performance. Very happy with how it looks.
View attachment 102243

Did you buy the gauges from Hurricane Performance.

 

[edge_232]

It would be nice to talk to someone at the company before you buy.

 

[gsxr]

We have best luck with Autometer over the years , any Napa store can supply.

 

[scuba_nytro]

Did you buy the gauges from Hurricane Performance.

No I just ordered them from amazon about $375 + tax, free shipping. I think Dave deals AEM and Autometer gauges.

 

[scuba_nytro]

Got a used stage 1 MPI kit this fall it came with a SPA combo water and supercharger oil temp gauge which I mounted to the handle bars with a mount from powderlites ($15 shipped) and ordered a Apex MX style handle bar pad to clean up the install. SPA makes some nice gauges but they are pricey. I think those ASPX gauges look nice.

 

[nitris223]

Well I think APSX gauges might be out of the question. I will know more tomorrow morning if I get a reply with some answers. 3 emails this morning back and forth and 3 times I didn't get any of my questions answered.

Their web page claims that they exceed in performance then competitive gauges.
I thought I was asking some simple questions at first like. what is the operating temperature range of the gauges. Will it work in -30 c. What sort of testing have you done . What makes them stand out more then the others . I explained that dropping $224 plus shipping on some gauges that have no back up info for their claims is a chance I am not ready to take unless they could give me something to go on. I didn't want to know their top secret programs or electrical schematics . I asked if any magazines did a review. I said I seen the 4 youtube video's and that was all there was. Stuff like that. Apparently I was talking to the owner who is doing the customer support and he replied with a link to 3 youtube videos with one being their advertisement video which just shows the gauge and all the color options and face plates option. You only get one and not two like AEM or Innovate. The other two videos were of the D-1 version original AFR not the new D-2. Second video was supposed to be of the D-2 version and the guy goes into the unboxing which looks like the D-2 and then wires up a small led screen and the D-1 control box. Both videos were done by the same guy. . He also said to check their feedback on eBay. Most people left the normal feedback of when they got their package in the mail and fast shipping responses. A few said it was hooked up and it works with the odd feedback saying hoping it works for a while. I counted 32 or so feedbacks on ebay who bought the latest version of the D-2. out of I think 59 feedbacks.

I replied back that I have seen the videos and feedback on ebay but that doesn't prove much to their claims. He replied with, " It's up to you then, we are a young company and growing day by day. Let us know if you have any more questions."

I wanted to reply WTF but I kept it civil and asked if he would answer some of my questions from the 3 previous emails that have not yet been answered without giving away any top secret info. Just simple questions I figured and explained that there are more and more sleds getting a turbo installed and it could open up a new market for them but if your customer service response is to beat around the bush and not answer simple questions , then you are just not helping your sales. It's his sale to lose. I am all for getting something cheaper that does the same job just as good or better.

I thought if he would have gave me some good info it would be worth trying and saving $100 CDN over buying AEM or Innovate in Canada but at least I know guys have tried those gauges and know they work. I will spend the extra $100 on proven stuff .