I've been reading up on aftermarket gauges, but I still have a few questions.

I have a 2006 SS/SC that is stock aside from the ZZP CAI. I got a ZZP 3" downpipe for Christmas that I will be installing this spring. I made sure to get an O2 bung welded onto it so I could eventually get a wideband AFR gauge. I want to keep this setup as minimal as possible while having the most options as possible.

1. I was thinking about getting the new ZZP dual gauge pod. I would be replacing the OEM boost gauge with a Glowshift boost gauge. Since the car is already wired for a boost gauge, would this basically just be a straight forward swap? Would I have to rewire anything?

2. I was also planning on getting an Aeroforce Interceptor for the second gauge in the setup. I read that unlike the SS/TC, for the SS/SC you will have to splice into the pink boost gauge wire for power as well as plugging it into the OBD2. Is this correct?

3. I also read that to get the Interceptor to read AFR I will have to buy their wideband O2 sensor kit that should just plug into the Interceptor and then into the O2 bung on the downpipe. Is this right?


Am I missing any other information that I might need? I would like the Interceptor to read my AFR at all times as well as cycle through other options, since it can display two things at once. Overall this doesn't seem like too hard of a project, but I just want to get all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger.

 

1- get a triple gauge pod call it a day. Boost. Interceptor. Wideband.

2- Yes quick splice into the pink wire.and enjoy.

3- Yes there is an add on for about 180$ for the interceptors to get AFR readings. Worth it? Dunno I run dual interceptors and I like it. I may get the add on eventually unless a wideband falls onto my hands. Then it be a cluster bezel single gauge set up

 

The stock boost gauge is electrical the only wire you can use from that is the power. You are gonna have to run a hose from under the hood up to the gauge

 

Are there any electrical boost gauges I can use that just swap right in? Yes, I'm lazy.

 

If your gonna do that you might as well just keep the stock boost gauge and save your money. The point of one with a hose: more accurate and something about the pcm not reading high boost

 

Hmm, you make a good point. The main reason I want to replace the boost gauge is because its not bright enough as night to see it too well. I don't know if that's just how that gauge is or the light inside it is dying or what.

 

Can't say anything about the SC wiring, but I have the dual gauge - Aeroforce up top, stock boost gauge down low, and I'm happy with the setup, except the stock gauge is definitely dimmer than the aeroforce. I'm thinking of actually correcting that with a slightly tinted lens for the Aeroforce, since its almost too bright for nighttime driving, especially being the higher gauge in the pod!

I did an LED conversion on a Tacoma climate control (rather than pay 20 bucks per bulb for the stock crap Toyo stuff). Wonder if something similar would brighten up the stock gauge. Anybody try something like that?

 

You might wanna consider an oil pressure gauge too.

 

The Aeroforce Interceptor has a dimmer function. You can make it pretty dark.

 

From what I understand, the Interceptor has two analog inputs. So theoretically I could buy the sensor kits for both the wideband AFR and the oil pressure and still only need two gauges.

EDIT: Also, does anyone make an electronic boost gauge that displays in bars instead of digital numbers?

 

I'll have to look at that - there's a lot of functionality I've ignored on it. Mine's hooked and the dimmer works the lighting for the gauge as well, but if there's something more I can do with it, I'd be happy. I'd also be happy if I could take the stock gauge and get the same level of white-ness to the light as the aeroforce, so they would match. That's the one big consideration about a tinted lens on the aeroforce; I could 'yellow' the light a little to better match the stock gauge/interior lighting.

 

Prosport Evo series has both a bar and numbers

Stock gauge is dim for a reason, so it doesn't blind you at night. It's the same brightness as the gauge cluster. Trust me, all those gauges in your face at night can get annoying. I kept my interceptors turned down.

 

As is mine. I like my EGT gauge because it's red and only as bright as it needs to be. It's the bottom one, so it's right in my line of vision.

 

I'm looking at this Auto Meter electric gauge. Even though its electric, in the directions you still have to install the vacuum hose. Wouldn't that just make it a normal mechanic gauge? Very confusing!

 

That isn't a direct replacement for the stock one. It uses a mechanical tube to a sensor that sends an electric signal to the gauge. Look at the instruction sheet. It has a picture to help you out.

http://www.autometer.com/productPDF/0569A.pdf

 

I find it pretty annoying that no one makes a boost gauge that's a direct swap! If the stock gauge gets its readings form the PCM couldn't I just splice the wiring harness from the aftermarket into the stock wiring and call it a day? Wishful thinking...

 

What's the point of a direct swap? So you can get the same thing you already have, just a little brighter? Change the bulb.

The aftermarket, thought it uses electric over mechanical, might not use the same scaling. Might. Might not. I didn't see where it says what it uses, and I don't know what the stocker uses.

 

Well, I did some Google-Fu and from what I've read there's no way to replace the stock bulb in the gauge without hacking it into pieces. Someone else also mentioned that the bulb is soldered into the circuit board in the gauge. Don't know how accurate that is. All the threads were from this forum but like 5 years old.

 

if it's soldered IN it can be soldered OUT. and a new one soldered in or an LED.

 

this might be a help

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/appe...t-gauge-88460/

 

even better instructions here
Black Cat Custom Automotive - Cobalt Boost Gauge Face Installation Guidelines