Installing a Boost Gauge in a TD5 Disco

**Disco Mick** · 27th February 2009, 01:32 PM

Hi All,

I've been looking at putting a Boost Gauge on the dash of my Disco. I've seen some reasonable looking electronic stepper motor style gauges on eBay. Most of these are fairly slimline and come with a pod to mount them in. There's not to many places to put one in the dash so I thought on top of the dash to the right of the instrument binnacle.

Anyone have any experiences with fitting a boost gauge to a disco? What have you used?

Another thing I've found is that some gauges just display boost whilst others will also show vacuum. A petrol engine will make vacuum when not on boost but will a diesel engine? Personally I'd rather just display boost as engine vacuum is probably not that interesting.

Cheers

Michael

**Leo109** · 27th February 2009, 02:34 PM

Hi Mick,

No unthrottled diesels don't make any vacuum (well, my 300Tdi certainly doesn't - I went looking for some in the manifold when my vacuum pump died). Re. an electronic boost gauge, if you wished to send me a PM, I might be able to send you some info of potential interest.

Ian

**Benny_IIA** · 27th February 2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Leo109

Hi Mick,

No unthrottled diesels don't make any vacuum (well, my 300Tdi certainly doesn't - I went looking for some in the manifold when my vacuum pump died). Re. an electronic boost gauge, if you wished to send me a PM, I might be able to send you some info of potential interest.

Ian

Correct no diesel makes any vacuum.

**discowhite** · 27th February 2009, 04:32 PM

vdo do a 40mm boost gauge, 0-30psi. it should fit in any of the off the shelf gauge pods form autobarn etc.

cheers phil

**BilboBoggles** · 27th February 2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Benny_IIA

Correct no diesel makes any vacuum.

Actually - If you have a completely clogged air filter then you will get a vaccuum, unless you have leaks in your intake system.

**steveG** · 27th February 2009, 04:39 PM

I'm planning to put a Madman EMS2 system in mine ( The entertainer on here sells them - often see ads for Madman at the top of the page)

They aren't particularly cheap, but depending on what you want to monitor they work out not too expensive if you were wanting to add say coolant temp, boost, and EGT gauges.
I like the ability to set alarm points for each item thats monitored, and the fact that its all in the one unit doesn't take up much room.

Steve

**LandyAndy** · 27th February 2009, 08:59 PM

Your best option is a Nanocom.
A bit dearer than a boost gauge,BUT it will let you fault find your ECU,over $100 a go at the dealer.In instrument mode it displays revs volts water temp and boost.
Search Nanacom for more info.
Send a PM to Stuart(he is the Rovercraft dealer in melb) for pricing.
Its a must for these TD5s,will let you sort out what is going on in the ECUs(engine,body and ABS)
Andrew

**feral** · 27th February 2009, 10:37 PM

Just some further clarification with the differance between the Madman and the Nanocom.

My take is this which may govern what you want to achieve.

The Madman is an engine monitoring system. It will read temps, oil pressure, battery volts....ect. All these setting have a low alarm and a high alarm. As described it monitors your engine and warns you when there is an impending disaster.

The Nanocom is mostly a diagnostic system. Possibly your disaster has already happened. It diagnoses if you have any problems with the engine, ABS, switches, ECU...ect. It will read codes and clear faults which saves you going to the stealer to clear codes. It will read engine functions like temps, boost but it does not have any alarm systems to warn you of any danger.

It just depends on what you want to read and when.

**Bytemrk** · 28th February 2009, 07:45 PM

Feral is right, Nanocom is primarily a diagnostic tool..

BUT Andy is correct that you can connect it and monitor many things as you drive including boost.

I guess it really depends on how you are likely to use a boost gauge.

If you want to drive down the road always watching your boost... get a dedicated gauge.

If you what to monitor changes of a variety of things and get warnings.. go the Madman.

If all you want to do is occasionally measure your boost - the Nanocom will do that beautifully and you have a full diagnostic tool too.

Mark

**Disco Mick** · 28th February 2009, 09:07 PM

I guess the main reason I want a boost gauge is because of my VNT turbo setup. When I installed the VNT I no longer use the ECU boost controler.

Boost signal comes from the manifold directly to the actuator on the turbo. Max boost is set with a threaded collar and lock nut. I want to be able to gradually wind the boost up and see the results of my adjustments under load whilst driving.

When I fisrst got it going it was running 22 pounds of boost. Whilst it had plenty of pep, the ECU kept going into over boost and shutting fuel down when you put your boot into it. I should be able to wind the boost up and find that point just before the ECU starts shuting things down.

Sounds like the Nanocom is the go. I'd been on the look out for an OBDII scan tool for the Land Rover but heard that most weren't compatable.

Thanks for the input.

Michael

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