Stock Boost Gauge Accuracy?

[Thomas91169]

on our 03/04 cobras, how accurate is the stock boost gauge?

is it a actual electronic sensor (like a GM 3bar MAP) fed into the ecu, or is it a mechanical gauge?

or is it fake, like just a number the ecu throws out based on what it reads coming through the maf?



i really want a set of a-pillar gauges, im thinking boost, a/f(wideband) and EGT(Exhaust Gas Temperature). if the stock boost gauge is accurate, id still like to know the EXACT amount of boost and vacuum i am running at all times. wideband a/f would be nice as i can read in realtime how good the tune is. egt is also great as it lets me know if things are getting really heated and if i should continue to push it or let off.

btw, ive been searching svtperf. but cant find much info about gauges(god their site is uber slow). which ones match the stock gauges? and does anybody make a set of overlays that will look alot like stock GT/v6 gauges(call me strange, but i loved the simplicity of my stock gt gauges and their vibrant green).

i am also thinking on upgrading my heat exchanger setup. any suggestions?

[SpectorV]

the boost gauge is mechanical from my understandings, you can even find the connection on the blower, passenger side I think... it goes in behind the dash from the passenger side of the firewall If I remember right. You can get a gauge overlay to have numbers~ i would still rather buy an aftermarket one.

I wouldnt waste my money on an a/f gauge as they are a light show.... the fuel mixture is constantly changing so by the time you noticed an issue it would probably be to late anyway~

I want a boost gauge and a temp gaue as 03/04 cobras have issues with the passenger side back cylinders getting to hot (prolonged high MPH runs etc etc) which can lead to ticking issues. I would place a temp sensor on the block side near the head if I were you.

The heat exhanger would probably help but I would upgrade the resivior for the heat exchanger and the coolant to larger sizes (and they look much better). Check with Gords or lightning performance for those.

[Thomas91169]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV the boost gauge is mechanical from my understandings, you can even find the connection on the blower, passenger side I think... it goes in behind the dash from the passenger side of the firewall If I remember right. You can get a gauge overlay to have numbers~ i would still rather buy an aftermarket one. I wouldnt waste my money on an a/f gauge as they are a light show.... the fuel mixture is constantly changing so by the time you noticed an issue it would probably be to late anyway~ I want a boost gauge and a temp gaue as 03/04 cobras have issues with the passenger side back cylinders getting to hot (prolonged high MPH runs etc etc) which can lead to ticking issues. I would place a temp sensor on the block side near the head if I were you. The heat exhanger would probably help but I would upgrade the resivior for the heat exchanger and the coolant to larger sizes (and they look much better). Check with Gords or lightning performance for those.

the A/F would be a wideband, so it would be an accurate light show, as compared to just a gauge running off the stock narrowband(0-1v) o2 sensors.

btw, does svtperf. have a friggin vendor list?

i just keep refreshing the page and clicking the banners.

[STEVE]

Get a dynojet wideband. and a nice autometer boost guage. Then a whipple

[Thomas91169]

Quote: Originally Posted by STEVE Get a dynojet wideband. and a nice autometer boost guage. Then a whipple

isnt KB making a 3.2L?

[SpectorV]

its back and forth atm... whipple has been the kind but I think KB is heading to take the title back... I have been out of the loop so I cant tell you which is going to have the most potential. I would NOT push it over 550rwhp but thats just me.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV its back and forth atm... whipple has been the kind but I think KB is heading to take the title back... I have been out of the loop so I cant tell you which is going to have the most potential. I would NOT push it over 550rwhp but thats just me.

Dude with the proper fuel set ups these things can see 650rwhp safley.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Thomas91169 isnt KB making a 3.2L?

I know they just came out with a 2.8
Shit if they do go for it.

[SpectorV]

600rwhp/tq seems to be the line that if you pass you are on your own, you can run fine or you can not. Most of it is in the tune, heat is the main issue, im sure with the revised heads you can push more power.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV 600rwhp/tq seems to be the line that if you pass you are on your own, you can run fine or you can not. Most of it is in the tune, heat is the main issue, im sure with the revised heads you can push more power.

Wasn't there a recall on the 03 heads?
Just get a nice heat exchanger to combat that heat.

[SpectorV]

only a recall if you have the tick. The issue is the fluid can not travel though th head good so it gets caught and literally boils where it stands. A heat exchanger is for the supercharger only, not the coolant. A bigger radiator would help but the real fix is to get a new head. You can do a cooling mod where you angle off the coolant (split it) right out of the head to increase the flow~ but you have to drop the tranny to do it.

I would be really scared to see what the temps get up to on that side lol

You can get a larger coolant tank that will also help~ (at least I think the overflow coolant is constantly recirculated?? isnt it?

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV only a recall if you have the tick. The issue is the fluid can not travel though th head good so it gets caught and literally boils where it stands. A heat exchanger is for the supercharger only, not the coolant. A bigger radiator would help but the real fix is to get a new head. You can do a cooling mod where you angle off the coolant (split it) right out of the head to increase the flow~ but you have to drop the tranny to do it. I would be really scared to see what the temps get up to on that side lol You can get a larger coolant tank that will also help~ (at least I think the overflow coolant is constantly recirculated?? isnt it?

I don't think the overflow coolent is recirculated constantly but I may be wrong.
I had heard about the cooling mod but never knew what it was.
A big ass fluidyne should help too.

[SpectorV]

the fluid builds up on the back cylinder due to poor design and it cant escape is the main issue. It will help just not the best cure, its fine on stock or near stock cars but if you push high power you start to see the issue.

[JROC]

Check out this 03 Cobra, its was built by Ford Racing, and SVT. It uses some high flow cylinder heads that you can order through Ford Racing. With a Whipple supercharger it makes over 600 RWHP running only 14 lbs of boost, very impressive. There is also a cool video, and the color is the same as your cars

Inside Line: Horse Power: Ford's 690 hp SVT Mustang Cobra -

[Thomas91169]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV You can do a cooling mod where you angle off the coolant (split it) right out of the head to increase the flow~ but you have to drop the tranny to do it.

yup, one of those "you know you own a ford when........." statements.

[SpectorV]

some have done it by just removing the blower... but I dont see how.