Last time getting my car tuned Al from Dynoflash told me my Defi-D boost gauge was way off. Ive heard him say that before about these gauges but I really didnt think much of it, however when my car was holding 24psi with no knock, I was suspect. Anyway, I purchased a Stewart Warner at his reccomendation and installed it. (Only $67 shipped from 42draftdesigns).

Before installing the SW my Defi said 24psi spike-holding 23psi then falling near redline to about 19-20.

SW installed: Spike 22psi holding at 21psi then fall to 19 at redline! However, now everything makes sense! Overall, Im pissed I spent $109 on a gauge that doesnt read correctly when i could have spent $67. Anyway, Al was right and I feel better now I have a more accurate guage in the car!

-Tom

 

Just because the SW reads differently and lower than the Defi-D does not make the SW more accurate. Why do people come to such rash conclusions? You would need a whole lot of other testing of the same gauges before you come to such a conclusion.

Its like..."I had a feeling the guage was off so I tried another guage and it read differently, so the other guage must have sucked."

 

I actually experienced similar issues with the Defi D. My Defi D gauge indicates my car holding 24psi dropping to 23 at redline with my WR which resulted in no apparent knock on a Mustang Dyno through numerous pulls.

Also, in my previous experience with Al tuning my car he made a similar observation as on the dyno my car would not make power with the gauge reading 21psi.

 

You can't be serious. Just because the cheaper option is the better option doesn't mean that the SW gauges read "lower" or inaccurately.

He got tuned, the tuner said he was running XX pounds of boost, his boost gauge said YY, sure enough once the new gauge was put in it read at XX pounds of boost. Its pretty simple, and I seriously doubt the tuner's method of checking boost is inaccurate, when he was getting tuned.

If you've searched around evom you'll find out that defi's d mechanical gauges are not as accurate as they should be and some often fail.

 

put on a boost gauge when you get the car stock, best thing you can do, and check everything out before you do work.

 

SW gauges are flippin ugly as shaT lol ... Good for whoever I guess if they were accurate - Could of just got a zeitronix and > anything you threw @ it ... But hey I guess you cant go wrong with $67.00 ... To each there own ..

 

I've been using the gauge since my car was stock. With just a flash eliminating the boost taper the car properly registered 19.5 dropping to 19psi at redline. As in Soon2BEVO's case the gauge seems to get progressively less accurate over 20psi as he mentioned both of his gauges registered the same as his boost tapered off.

 

um actually it makes a lot more sense because not too many cars are gonna last long running 24 lbs of boost on 93 octane knock-free, esp the way tom drives...

good try tho buddy!

 

I have also heard alot of bad things about Defi gauges. They are over priced and inaccurate. I personally favor VDO and Autometer.

 

Sorry if I offended people. My statement was not directed at Defi D or SW guages in particular, but more towards the notion that one gauge is more reliable than the other based on one personal instance. In the end, the original poster's thoughts may have been spot on, but the method is screwed up. I hope I am making sense.

I know Defi D guages might not read properly...I have read the old posts!

 

I went thru 2 autometer gauges before making the crossover to sw and when I did I stopped buying boost gauges...great company with great products!

 

Ok, it's not like I just thought my gauge was reading too high from speculation. I was told so and it didnt add up how I was running such high boost on pump gas with 0 knock.

I dont think the method is screwed up at all. My tuner SAID it my gauge was inaccurate. He uses a MAP sensor when tuning, which tells him the actual boost.

Also, its very very rare that athe stock turbo and 93oct gets 0 knock at 24psi (with 25psi spikes!). Secondly, Defi's have been known to be faulty. I replaced the gauge and bam! EXACTLY what my tuner said, the Defi was reading 2psi too high.

 

Spot-on. I had the guage when my car was stock and the guage read correctly. 20psi, bled to 16psi. Also, when the SW was installed, boost still bled to 19 like the Defi, however the spike and where it held for 90% of the run was VERY different.

 

Any issues installing the SW? Does it have a barb on the back for a boost line?

 

Also got to keep in mind a lot of people install there boost gauges in the wrong places ... *wahhhh* cry me a river ...

I too would be surprised if you had no knock @ 24psi on 93!