They look like this:



There will be one right on top of the intake manifold and one on the lower charge pipe coming from the intercooler going to the throttle body.

 

its not a $140 vs $500 issue. its a tune thats just a basic setup to.run on any car with xx mods vs a tune set up specifically for YOUR car with YOUR cars mods in REAL time. my tuner lives 2 hours away and he rides in my car while we log to see whats happening. then adjusts as needed. thats the difference.

 

Well I think my pcm works just like I want it too. When I have more money I will get a custom tune but for now my pcm works better then not having one

 

Is this it on the intake manifold?

 

That is indeed the upper map sensor, however that is the stock 2.5bar map sensor right there.

As far as needing the 3bar map sensors, you most definitely don't. They're only really recommended when getting a custom tune so we can monitor boost levels beyond 23.5psi. You however MUST get a custom tune if you install them in order to rescale the internal boost scaling. Otherwise the car will go into limp mode once you start getting into boost for the first time. Long and short of it, don't bother with the 3bar maps unless you plan on getting a full custom tune.

 

My stock sensors are showing 26 psi though?

 

Yes and no. What you're seeing on your stock boost gauge is basically the ECM's guestimation and interpolation of how much boost is being produced via maf sensor flow and other factors and not actually the map. Hence the gauge working beyond the 23.6 peak threshold of the stock lower map sensor (the upper sensor on the manifold only registers roughly 22.5psi). The stock boost gauge is close, however not by any means 100% accurate. Even so, this is why you are able to see boost beyond the stock map sensors limitations.

 

Okay that makes sense now. Thank you

 

You'll probably get best results by putting it on a dyno and using HP tuners. Get a professional to help you. That's what I plan to do at least.