once you attach the adapter for the boost gauge, how do you get the wire back into your car to hook up to the gauge? and boost pressure tells you how hard your turbos working right? mainly the more boost the better; and it will help you monitor if any of your modds are working right?

 

[quote=ADAMSALTAMINI;2058354]Those appear to be AutoMeter gauges. They are VERY expensive in the electrically divorced versions (like ours are) and the lighting isn't the same at night. Agreed the white faces are kind of nice during the day. Thankfully, those gauges (as well as a TON of others) work with the ALTA pod. You can purchase the pod WITHOUT gauges if you choose.quote]

Adam, is there any way to purchase the ALTA MAP / Boost adapter, Pod, wiring, and mounting hardware without buying the actual gauge? Would the Autometer gauge be compatible with your boost adaptor, sending unit, and wiring?

 

Getting the wire into the car is easy. You simply take your wipers off, take off the cowl area under the wipers. Find where the wiring goes into the car, slit a little hole and voila, your in the car.

 

You make that sound easy! There was another thread describing how much getting the wipers off was a PIA. You must have the touch.

 

great job masterd78!

I'm installing a mechanical boost gauge but it's very difficoult to pass inside firewall. I tried to remove plastic cover but.. wipers seems locked and it was impossible to rimove. Is there any trick?
Moreover could you please post kinfos/photos about wiring instruments?

Thanks!
Gianluca

 

Actually, the wipers are the hardest part. But I think I figured out an easy way to get them off. At first I tried to just pull those suckers off and it wasn't working. I think the trick is to actually push down a little bit where the wiper is hinged. That broke the "seal" for me and they came right off.

 

Why would you plumb into the expansion tank when there is a radiator hose on the passenger side that can take a splicing adapter that you can plumb right into the hose. Plus, it puts the adapter right next to the firewall. With this, there is no doubt you are getting actual engine coolant temperature. I have used these in the past and they work great. Plus, if you mess something up, you are out the cost of a radiator hose...cheaper than the expansion tank. The adapter is at the bottom of the page.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Auto+Meter/749158/10002/-1/10333

 

I like this solution better. but it probably would require more work and might be detected by the MINI service staff as a possible way to void your warranty.

I say 'more work' because you would inevitably have to drain or at least lose a lot of coolant in the process of cutting this hose. second, that little meter at the coolant tank is pretty easy to hide from prying, warranty voiding eyes.

Adam from ALTA also mentioned that once the thermostat opens up that tank is cycled with the rest of the system. I dont suggest opening it when it's hot like a burp tank as you likely will be scalded just like it's opening a radiator cap.

Awesome job on the install and those gauges look teh secks! ALTA is finding new and innovative ways of parting me from my money. First the H&R lowering springs, now this.... thanks Adam...

 

Are the ProSport gauges you got from Alta 52MM or 60MM?

If 60MM, are they ProSport's "60MM Performance Series" or their "Premium 60MM Peak/Warning Series" (which cost about $25 more for each piece)?

 

Actually, getting the wipers and the cowling off is very easy, it is getting things properly aligned that was a little frustrating for me (late in the day) as there is a slot below the windscreen that the cowling locks in to (unknown initially till I investigated carefully when things didn't look right).

If you remove the circular plastic cover over the wiring as it passes through the firewall on the driver's side, there is an unused nipple in the rubber grommet that you can pass the wiring from the boost and/or water temp sensors and then cover it with the plastic cover-very neat. I might add that I used wiring cover over all my wires to keep it factor looking and used and rubber grommet in the hole in the plastic firewall cover.

 

Ditto, with that.

Adam, how come your website doesn't show the twin pod?

And any chance for a pod for 52mm gauges?

 

What's the pro and cons for OIL or WATER temp gauges?

 

Something to what i mentioned earlier about mounting meters on the dash. But i was hoping the meters to be right up the dash, just to about an inch from the windscreen.

 

I don't know why everyone keeps talking about entirely removing the cowl. What I did was loosen the cowl, took out all the bolts and nuts. (withouth removing). Then the top of the cowl will unclip and allow you to work through there. Yes it is a little tight but it can be done. Why take out things that don't need to be removed. You can reach through the drivers side of the car where the gromet going to the cabin with all the wires going in. Make a small hole and pass either the cable or if mechanical like mine, the boost hose.


Moral of the story, you don't need to remove the wipers, cowl and have your car in 20 pieces.

Pics are in my wifes gallery, her username is sailorliz23

 

People worry too much about voiding a warranty. If they see the temp gauge in the car...they are going to find the wire anyway if they care. Anyway...just an alternate solution. Not necessarily better...just another way to skin a cat...

 

Great tip. Now all I need is my friggin' gauge to get here!!!

 

A. feel a little dumb for asking this....but what is the cowl..?????
B. I looked in your wife's gallery and didnt see what you were talking about (i like the fact both of you have minis!)
C. Does alta give you all the info you need when installing the boost gauge parts under the hood in good detail and then you kinda just work your way to the inside of the car?
D. Where is this "one" hole you after to drill for the wire?

Thanks!

 

A. The cowl is the black piece below the wipers, and between the hood and windshield.
C. Yes, detailed instructions. Bad pictures.
D. On post #28 in this thread it is the middle arrow.

Anything else I can help ya with?

 

I wish I would have gotten my camera and done step by step instructions with pics,
A. the cowl is the huge plastic assembly under the windshield wipers.
B. Sorry about that, I actually had posted the pics on a thread but we've just added the pics of the gauge.
C. Alta does provide you with instructions and I thought they were pretty good. (except I didn't need to remove that cowl)
d. Once you get the cowl somewhat opened, or if you decide to take it apart, looking from the engine bay to the car. On the right of the steering column you will see a bunch of cables going under a plastic cap. unclip the cap and there is a rubber gromet. Poke a hole on it to bring in the cable and it is in your cabin.

I hope I was of some help. I'm not too mechanically inclined, and it was not as hard as it sounds.

 

Previous post was meant to be under my name. Certain someone forgot to log out.

 

Both of us posted really quick. But I won!!

 

haha thanks for the speedy postSSS. birthday's monday so hopefully ill be ordering one then!

 

Here is another option.

 

OK...details please!!

 

where did you mount that?? i wanted to get a boost gauge we could mount elsewhere than by the steering wheel but then i realized pretty much the rest of the car has airbags in that area. i wanted to get some i could put on the a-pillar but my husband pointed out that there is an airbag there and god forbid one gets in an accident and they deploy...you will have a gauge in your face ....