[klipseracer]

Meth and FMIC are about to go on. I wanted to compare IAT's to stock intercooler and on/off methanol. Anyone not keeping an eye on this is the same person that tunes their car without a boost gauge. I'd like to see visible results actively. Since there is very little information about this and without having access to the BMS tuning gauge being that I'm a procede user, I figured I'd go out and be the first vocal test dummy. This is good information regardless of what tune you run and honestly I'd rather have a standalone gauge/sensor than relying off the slow IAT data from the DME. I've read too many threads about, "I have meth but I can't tell?!". I just can't understand how I personally could run this type of injection without being able to ACTIVELY see whats going on with it. Flow rate #1 and IAT drop #2. If I could monitor octane you know I'd have a gauge for that too. I've purchased an ATi ePod gauge and a methanol flow gauge so I will have pretty much all the important data accessible to me in little 52mm gauges. If anyone has a red labonte gauge for sale let me know, they are constantly sold out.

This IAT gauge will allow me to monitor my stock IAT's and get a really good idea of the heat soak and efficiency of this stock intercooler without having to log constantly. I can just look down and see where I'm at. I'm positive the accuracy is much better than the stock IAT sensor as well as it being able to update much quicker for more precise gauge display data. I'll be installing my new FMIC here shortly so it will give me a great idea of where I stand... Something that most people really don't know, they just assume so.

I'm also going to be tapping for methanol into my charge pipe and have some interesting things going on in that department as well. here are some pics of the IAT gauge.


This is the actual PLX module that must be used to interface with the sensor and gauge. Its a little proprietary box that actually is daisy chain-able and runs a network of data instead of being a data sender it has a communication network. Similar to the CANbus network. Two wires but lots of stuff going on.



This 4 pin molex type connector is actually the power for the IAT gauge, however its also a switch. Since the gauge and module operate on a network, the ground can be obtained from the daisy chain serial wires. This connector only has one connected wire for 3.3v power to the gauge, and the other wire is to the ground. If the ground is connected with a supplied terminal, then it displays in C* and if its left unplugged(default) then its F*.


The serial TX/RX plugs are obvious for the network. The TX goes out to the gauge RX and the gauge has a spare TX wire in case you want to connect another modules RX to it to continue adding sensors or gauges of different types like EGT, Boost etc.

And the K-Type is for the IAT sensor that is going to be welded onto my charge pipe.


This is the actual Sensor:





These are the wires that come out of the gauge. As you can see the 4 pin connector has the ground wire disconnected. If you connect it, it will display in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. The other two wires are for receiving temp data from the module and the other wire is un-used unless you have another gauge to connect to the PLX network.




And the gauge itself:





Full shot of the gauge:


Wiring kit:



I will be doing more with my car once I get my downpipes and midpipes installed. Once I receive my methanol flow gauge(which I can't find available anywhere) then I'll take my charge pipe into get it welded with meth/IAT bungs as well as modified to fit my new greddy type R bov. More updates as they come with vids.

[klipseracer]

Res.

[AltecBX]

I was thinking the same thing for me to monitor but with Auto-tune around the corner this will not be as useful. I'm planning on betting a boost gauge though. Thinking of the Rixster or the Coolmist as they can monitor throttle position. Either way, this is a nice upgrade.

[klipseracer]

Originally Posted by AltecBX

I was thinking the same thing for me to monitor but with Auto-tune around the corner this will not be as useful. I'm planning on betting a boost gauge though. Thinking of the Rixster or the Coolmist as they can monitor throttle position. Either way, this is a nice upgrade.

The gauges aren't for tuning, its to be able to troubleshoot and keep tabs on effectiveness and determine if the systems are active. I have the rixt3r gauge. its good for what it is. Very OEM looking. Thats good.

[cn555ic]

I just can't understand when people say they can't feel the meth working..Its really puzzling to me when I hear that...Nice gauge, but for me the Procede reader does it job and it tells me already how effective the meth is for IAT drops...Its not as convient as your gauge, but for most its effective enough to log IATs!

[klipseracer]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

I just can't understand when people say they can't feel the meth working..Its really puzzling to me when I hear that...Nice gauge, but for me the Procede reader does it job and it tells me already how effective the meth is for IAT drops...Its not as convient as your gauge, but for most its effective enough to log IATs!

Yeah, you are right, the data logging is excellent. However I'm speaking more along the lines of, "Hmm... My car isn't running right." or "What the f*ck was that noise?" I can look right then and there. Sometimes when there is trouble, you don't have time to go park and hook up your laptop and start comparing and snooping around. This is as simple as glancing down

[scottp999]

Nice. Will be following how it turns out. I'm definitely doing a flow gauge, IAT, not sure. I am hoping Shiv has that on the list to toggle between on the dash display.

FWIW - Lebonte's supplier has had some issues (circuit board parts) and they hope to have the red gauges in stock by the end of month, and on the web site.

If you see them on their site, shoot me a PM after you grab yours, and I will do the same.

From: Tech
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:29 AM
To: scottp999
Subject: RE: Labonte MotorSports, LLC - Contact Message

Hello Scott,
The Red Flow gauges are out of stock right now due to a long lead time from one of our electronic component vendors for some parts used on the circuit board. Hoping to have more stock by end of this month and will be back on website.

Best regards,
Dan

[klipseracer]

Originally Posted by scottp999

Nice. Will be following how it turns out. I'm definitely doing a flow gauge, IAT, not sure. I am hoping Shiv has that on the list to toggle between on the dash display.

FWIW - Lebonte's supplier has had some issues (circuit board parts) and they hope to have the red gauges in stock by the end of month, and on the web site.

If you see them on their site, shoot me a PM after you grab yours, and I will do the same.

From: Tech
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:29 AM
To: scottp999
Subject: RE: Labonte MotorSports, LLC - Contact Message

Hello Scott,
The Red Flow gauges are out of stock right now due to a long lead time from one of our electronic component vendors for some parts used on the circuit board. Hoping to have more stock by end of this month and will be back on website.

Best regards,
Dan

Hey Scott thanks a lot. I appreciate the insight on the gauges. I'm willing to wait for a red gauge than get a blue mismatched one. The only problem with a dash gauge is the reading is slow AND the display is slow. Plus the visible viewing area isn't all that big and with the lights on this gauge I can use peripheral to judge where I'm at. While under boost which is when I'll be flowing, i'd like to keep my eyes on the road as much as possible. PLX also makes OLED gauges which come in a few form factors not just 52mm and will switch to display several items like iat, egt, boost and afr all on one gauge by hitting a button.

[AltecBX]

Originally Posted by klipseracer

PLX also makes OLED gauges which come in a few form factors not just 52mm and will switch to display several items like iat, egt, boost and afr all on one gauge by hitting a button.

You have a pic of that gauge?

[klipseracer]

Originally Posted by AltecBX

You have a pic of that gauge?

Those look like normal gauges, but they are just black OLED screens with needles as images.


I think this car is ugly as hell with all the gauges, but it shows you an example. The gauge I have is the kind on the passenger airbag, and the gauges in the middle are OLED for sure.
[u2b]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TP0Dn9EUjTc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TP0Dn9EUjTc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/u2b]

[AltecBX]

Nice

[TMR]

Does that gauge only read 1 temp sensor? The sensor i have reads before ( i placed it on the in of the IC and after ( right by the TB )



This is the unit i use.

[klipseracer]

Originally Posted by TMR

Does that gauge only read 1 temp sensor? The sensor i have reads before ( i placed it on the in of the IC and after ( right by the TB )



This is the unit i use.

Correct, it reads a single location, however if you get their multigauge instead, you can hook up two sensors/modules. Personally, I only want a 52mm gauge for convenience. If I can't have it clean installed with the ATi ePod, then I probably won't use it because I feel its to obtrusive to my interior.

[Mr. 5]

I'd like to resurrect this thread since a lot of people are talking about the safety in meth.
I really like the idea of this because this gage will be a great indicator of whether or not the meth is working.

[BrianMN]

Friendly bump for this one!

[mkPOTO]

plx gauges are pretty sweet, have a boost gauge mounted in my rear view

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

plx gauges are pretty sweet, have a boost gauge mounted in my rear view

Pics? Did you have to get a new mirror?

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by TMR

Does that gauge only read 1 temp sensor? The sensor i have reads before ( i placed it on the in of the IC and after ( right by the TB )



This is the unit i use.

Where do you have that mounted?

[Mr. 5]

I picked up this PLX AIT gage and it's really cool.
It's the perfect thing to see if the meth is working or not.
I took some pictures during my install and will start another thread about my experience.