IMP Concepts Stealth Boost gauge with an LI-S4/VooDooTec twist..(editted)
02-19-2007, 09:37 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
IMP Concepts Stealth Boost gauge with an LI-S4/VooDooTec twist..(editted)
Yep, I did it again...
I went over the top; just couldn't leave well enough alone. I ran an Omori 60mm mech Boost gauge for the better part of three or four years. I just got tired of it. I had scouted down Stephen "Papa Smurf" to see if he wanted to do an A-Pillar setup for me..he declined, which was good..I was never a fan of the A-pillar design since I prefer as much of an OEM look as possible.
I was close to ordering the O.CT boost setup that integrates into the tach, but a few things swayed me away... First, in spite of my messages that I was ready to order it..they never called me back (??). Next, I heard that the LED setup they used was rather dim. Last, while figuring out what I wanted to do with the boost gauge, I decided that I would be doing <a href="http://eplabs.net/">EPL</a> Stage III tuning. The O.CT setup was only good for 1.5 bar and I knew my tune would be at or past 21 psi..so I would be maxing that boost gauge out on every WOT pull...no head room.
Then I cam across <a href="http://impconcepts.com/">IMP Concepts</a> and spoke to Ian after swapping numerous emails..this was the way to go. It was kit which I liked since I like to fiddle with this stuff; the 2mm LED's were going to be plenty bright and the PC integrated into the interior light dimming so I can control it at night; I had a choice for 20 psi or 25 psi..I chose 25 psi; I had a choice of a 180 degree LED sweep or a 206 degree...I chose 206 degree.
What follows are the excerpts of the fabrication process. <i><a href="http://public.fotki.com/LI-S4/cars_and_stuff/mods/imp-concepts-boost-gauge/">Click here for all the pictures</a></i> I took my time, over the course of a few months, but if I were to do it again straight through, I would figure about eight hours total time.
Keep in mind, I went through two tunes at EPL without a boost gauge and it is very interesting to see how the stage III boost responds. I am most surprised at how fast I am on full boost. Thanks EPL!!
The kit as delivered...
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/00PartsKit-vi.jpg"></center>
The raw stock for the drilling template
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/06DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
The completed drilling template, using the 206 degree 20 LED pattern supplied by IMP Concepts
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/4/43687/4579046/12DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
I figured at some point someone is going to ask for help assembling this kit, and I wanted it to be repeatable.. So I found it better to devise a jig onto which I could mount the template and remove the human variable from the equation. This was the Gen I jig. By positiioning the template on the centerpoint installed in the jig, I could rotate the template around the centerpoint making sure the holes for the LEDs would be in a perfect circle..
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/14DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
I had purchased a second cluster with a dead pixel display so I could work on this at my leisure (Special thanks to phillys4951). All I needed was the tach skin.
After aligning the tach skin in the template, drilling all the holes, this is the result...
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/30Drilled-vi.jpg"></center>
To attempt to drill this without a template would be foolish...the tolerances were quite tight..
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/4/43687/4579046/29Drilled-vi.jpg"></center>
I added the labels for the psi markings, and the BOOST PSI in the center using the proper font to match the OE lettering...
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/4/43687/4579046/32Lables-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/33Lables-vi.jpg"></center>
The spare cluster I purchased was from an older S4, and lacked the S4 logo. Being one to never things well enough alone, I added the Club Sport logo in honor of the Porsche tradition of denoting the lightest and fastest of their marks with the title Club Sport.
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/35Labels-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/36Labels-vi.jpg"></center>
20 LED's... 11 red, 5 yellow and 4 green. Normal convention would have the green and red's reversed. However, the interior lights on the S are red..and the LEDs for my IC misters are 4 red as status indicators, two yellow for tripped threshholds and green when the misters are spraying. Knowing my custom tune hits 22 psi and tapers to 21, and aligning the yellow and first green at the 20/21 psi point, I will be able to see, using only peripheral vision, when I hit max boost as the first green will light.
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/37LEDs-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/38LEDs-vi.jpg"></center>
Trial fit. The plastic base needed considerable trimming. In the unlikely event that I do another one of these, the bundle of wires and the common leads should be located on the outside of the assembly to allow for clearance
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/43Assembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/4/43687/4579046/47FinalAssembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/4/43687/4579046/48FinalAssembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<i>Click the picture to see the boost gauge in action!!</i>
<center><a href="http://media.putfile.com/B5-S4-Stealth-Boost-gauge"><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v380/photos/4/43687/4579046/50Finished-vi.jpg"></a></center>
Once installed, I calibrated it for my altitude and adjusted the dimming settings... It works perfectly. I did toast one of the LED's at around 16 psi, so I'll have to replace that one when I have the cluster out to install the cangates for my RNS-E...but it is of little issue. I can't wait for Ian to roll out the Peak hold / Slow Decay version!!
I went over the top; just couldn't leave well enough alone. I ran an Omori 60mm mech Boost gauge for the better part of three or four years. I just got tired of it. I had scouted down Stephen "Papa Smurf" to see if he wanted to do an A-Pillar setup for me..he declined, which was good..I was never a fan of the A-pillar design since I prefer as much of an OEM look as possible.
I was close to ordering the O.CT boost setup that integrates into the tach, but a few things swayed me away... First, in spite of my messages that I was ready to order it..they never called me back (??). Next, I heard that the LED setup they used was rather dim. Last, while figuring out what I wanted to do with the boost gauge, I decided that I would be doing <a href="http://eplabs.net/">EPL</a> Stage III tuning. The O.CT setup was only good for 1.5 bar and I knew my tune would be at or past 21 psi..so I would be maxing that boost gauge out on every WOT pull...no head room.
Then I cam across <a href="http://impconcepts.com/">IMP Concepts</a> and spoke to Ian after swapping numerous emails..this was the way to go. It was kit which I liked since I like to fiddle with this stuff; the 2mm LED's were going to be plenty bright and the PC integrated into the interior light dimming so I can control it at night; I had a choice for 20 psi or 25 psi..I chose 25 psi; I had a choice of a 180 degree LED sweep or a 206 degree...I chose 206 degree.
What follows are the excerpts of the fabrication process. <i><a href="http://public.fotki.com/LI-S4/cars_and_stuff/mods/imp-concepts-boost-gauge/">Click here for all the pictures</a></i> I took my time, over the course of a few months, but if I were to do it again straight through, I would figure about eight hours total time.
Keep in mind, I went through two tunes at EPL without a boost gauge and it is very interesting to see how the stage III boost responds. I am most surprised at how fast I am on full boost. Thanks EPL!!
The kit as delivered...
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/00PartsKit-vi.jpg"></center>
The raw stock for the drilling template
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/06DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
The completed drilling template, using the 206 degree 20 LED pattern supplied by IMP Concepts
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v387/photos/4/43687/4579046/12DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
I figured at some point someone is going to ask for help assembling this kit, and I wanted it to be repeatable.. So I found it better to devise a jig onto which I could mount the template and remove the human variable from the equation. This was the Gen I jig. By positiioning the template on the centerpoint installed in the jig, I could rotate the template around the centerpoint making sure the holes for the LEDs would be in a perfect circle..
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/14DrillingTemplate-vi.jpg"></center>
I had purchased a second cluster with a dead pixel display so I could work on this at my leisure (Special thanks to phillys4951). All I needed was the tach skin.
After aligning the tach skin in the template, drilling all the holes, this is the result...
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/30Drilled-vi.jpg"></center>
To attempt to drill this without a template would be foolish...the tolerances were quite tight..
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/4/43687/4579046/29Drilled-vi.jpg"></center>
I added the labels for the psi markings, and the BOOST PSI in the center using the proper font to match the OE lettering...
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v383/photos/4/43687/4579046/32Lables-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/33Lables-vi.jpg"></center>
The spare cluster I purchased was from an older S4, and lacked the S4 logo. Being one to never things well enough alone, I added the Club Sport logo in honor of the Porsche tradition of denoting the lightest and fastest of their marks with the title Club Sport.
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/35Labels-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/36Labels-vi.jpg"></center>
20 LED's... 11 red, 5 yellow and 4 green. Normal convention would have the green and red's reversed. However, the interior lights on the S are red..and the LEDs for my IC misters are 4 red as status indicators, two yellow for tripped threshholds and green when the misters are spraying. Knowing my custom tune hits 22 psi and tapers to 21, and aligning the yellow and first green at the 20/21 psi point, I will be able to see, using only peripheral vision, when I hit max boost as the first green will light.
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v385/photos/4/43687/4579046/37LEDs-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images14.fotki.com/v389/photos/4/43687/4579046/38LEDs-vi.jpg"></center>
Trial fit. The plastic base needed considerable trimming. In the unlikely event that I do another one of these, the bundle of wires and the common leads should be located on the outside of the assembly to allow for clearance
<center><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/4/43687/4579046/43Assembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/4/43687/4579046/47FinalAssembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/4/43687/4579046/48FinalAssembly-vi.jpg"></center>
<i>Click the picture to see the boost gauge in action!!</i>
<center><a href="http://media.putfile.com/B5-S4-Stealth-Boost-gauge"><img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v380/photos/4/43687/4579046/50Finished-vi.jpg"></a></center>
Once installed, I calibrated it for my altitude and adjusted the dimming settings... It works perfectly. I did toast one of the LED's at around 16 psi, so I'll have to replace that one when I have the cluster out to install the cangates for my RNS-E...but it is of little issue. I can't wait for Ian to roll out the Peak hold / Slow Decay version!!
02-19-2007, 09:54 AM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
With a 30psi sensor, sure....
IMP sells a 20 psi and 25 psi sensor...but the sensors are pretty easy to source on the web..
Just keep in mind, 30 psi spread over 20 LEDs won't yield exactly 1 psi per LED...
Mine, in actual use, is approx 1.25 psi per stepped LED.
Just keep in mind, 30 psi spread over 20 LEDs won't yield exactly 1 psi per LED...
Mine, in actual use, is approx 1.25 psi per stepped LED.
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02-19-2007, 09:54 AM
#8
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Laughing at the "lighest" clubsport comment. I really liked Ian's stuff
Nice to see someone who had done it by themselves. Much nicer than the OCT thing. Pics of the soldering and bundling?
Where did you get the guage rings?
Very nice BTW!!
Where did you get the guage rings?
Very nice BTW!!
