*STRI X-Line Boost Gauge Review*

Sal@AUTOcouture · 01-16-2008, 07:10 PM

damn 15.3 mpg...you got a HEAVY foot!

Mr. 5 · 01-16-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoCouture

damn 15.3 mpg...you got a HEAVY foot!

hahahh!
I just reset the MPG and then I went for some spirited driving.
I actually get an average of 25 mpg since I do so much freeway driving.

Kitz · 01-23-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

haha no. You're going to laugh about how I came up with that mounting bracket.

I purchased a mounting cup from Automemter where I only used the cup.

I then bought a 2" stainless steel muffler clamp from Autozone for aproximately $4 and painted it flat black.

I then stuck everything together and mounted it with heavy duty double sided tape.

It took me a while to come up with a good mounting bracket. I finally came up with something I like.

can I know which website do you get the mounting cup?And is the heavy duty adhesive tape you used is the foam type?
Thx.

Mooreski · 01-27-2008, 11:33 AM

I noticed a DOD decal in the picture of the back side of the boost gauge. If we read this whole thread, do you have to kill us?

Can you take a pic of where the line for the boost gauge plugs into the rest of the system?

Mr. 5 · 01-27-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooreski

Can you take a pic of where the line for the boost gauge plugs into the rest of the system?

The vacuum line plugs into the rubber line that connects to the diverter valves. You can choose any one of the DVs.

pdjafari · 01-27-2008, 01:05 PM

damn mr5 your going all out!!!

boosted305 · 01-27-2008, 10:09 PM

dude...love your work and your write ups...very informative...

and you and I are on the same page...I have been agonizing over where to mount my gauge...and been very hesistant to drill anything...and really don't prefer the placement of many of the posters' gauge (e.g. in the glove box or ashtray)...I've had several turbo cars before and believe it needs to be in line-of-sight (JMO)

As a result, I was going to try velcro in the exact same spot (the traditional boost gauge location!) but will try the double sided tape instead...

and love your bracket...

great stuff...your R&D is really helpful to all of us

thanks a bunch

BTW....SOLD!!

boosted305 · 01-27-2008, 10:14 PM

oh, btw...I thought I read somewhere that using the DV valve vacuum line results in boost spike readings when you let off the throttle...or something like that...

does that happen to you?

thanks in advance

HyperM3 · 01-27-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosted305

oh, btw...I thought I read somewhere that using the DV valve vacuum line results in boost spike readings when you let off the throttle...or something like that...

does that happen to you?

thanks in advance

I have mine tapped into the DV line also and I never get spikes.

boosted305 · 01-27-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperM3

I have mine tapped into the DV line also and I never get spikes.

thanks man...

another question...seems like mechanical gauges are not in favor on this board. Some have said they aren't accurate...

definitely want an accurate gauge...but really have a hard time justifying $300+ for a boost gauge...those are like Dinan prices or something! lol

feedback/opinions/experiences anyone?

HyperM3 · 01-27-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosted305

thanks man...

another question...seems like mechanical gauges are not in favor on this board. Some have said they aren't accurate...

definitely want an accurate gauge...but really have a hard time justifying $300+ for a boost gauge...those are like Dinan prices or something! lol

feedback/opinions/experiences anyone?

I have an electric(digital) on my 335 and a mechanical(analog) on my M3. The mechanical gauges are more cost effective but you have more of a chance of getting a kink in the vacuum line as it has to run all the way to the gauge itself. The electrical gauges might be more accurate in this manner because you can keep the vacuum line in the engine bay and run the electrical connection through the firewall to it and let those wires get all kinked up. I must say there are times in my mechanical gauge where I get no reading at all and then at the next light, its starts reading again. So I guess I have to go along with what other members are saying about them.

ontopofm · 01-28-2008, 01:38 AM

anyone has experience with this gauge?
http://prosportgauges.com/Digital-boost-1.aspx

NM_BMW · 01-31-2008, 03:50 PM

Mr 5,

You ever think about the autometer CF cup? I am debating about this CF cup and the black one you have. I'm just not sure I want to pay an extra $20 for the CF one.

Mr. 5 · 01-31-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humtek

Mr 5,

You ever think about the autometer CF cup? I am debating about this CF cup and the black one you have. I'm just not sure I want to pay an extra $20 for the CF one.

Post a pic of it because I don't know what you're talking about.

NM_BMW · 01-31-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

Post a pic of it because I don't know what you're talking about.

This one.

Mr. 5 · 01-31-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humtek

This one.

OK, I used that same one but in black just for covering the back part.
I didn't use the stand that it came with because I didn't like the look.

You can see it in this pic

e90AW335i · 02-07-2008, 11:29 AM

Just ordered the gauge and the tubing kit! Thanks Mr.5....

mike281 · 04-30-2008, 10:14 AM

Hey I recently bought and installed this guage. I was wondering what yours says you are running for boost. I am completely stock and mine is saying I'm running 4-5 psi. This seemed kind of low to me, just wondering if this is right or if there is something wrong. Thanks.

Mr. 5 · 04-30-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike281

Hey I recently bought and installed this guage. I was wondering what yours says you are running for boost. I am completely stock and mine is saying I'm running 4-5 psi. This seemed kind of low to me, just wondering if this is right or if there is something wrong. Thanks.

You should be peaking anywhere between 6-8.
What does your gauge say at idle, and engine off?

Ruff Rider · 04-30-2008, 11:46 AM

I have the STRI gauge. With the engine off my gauge needle was about 1 and a half lines below zero. I was concerned. So I hooked up my lap top to the procede to read boost. With the car under load the procede and the STRI gauge hit zero at the exact same time. The other readings under load are right on also between the two. IM very happy with the STRI gauge.

mike281 · 04-30-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

You should be peaking anywhere between 6-8.
What does your gauge say at idle, and engine off?

At idle and engine off it is saying about -28 psi i think. It is a little bit above the lowest reading of 30. At engine off it is all the way down. I did the "blow off valve mod" where i took off the 2 hoses that come off the bov and blocked off where they hook into the intake. I did the "exhaust mod" too where I unplugged the plug in the trunk. i read both those mods on here. i don't know if they would have anything to do with it.

e90AW335i · 04-30-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike281

At idle and engine off it is saying about -28 psi.

engine off should be zero

@ idle should be anywhere from 12-22 in.hg depending on your intake

01-16-2008, 07:10 PM	#45
Sal@AUTOcouture 746 Rep 10,100 Posts Drives: E93 M3, E36 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sofla iTrader: (30)	damn 15.3 mpg...you got a HEAVY foot!
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01-27-2008, 11:33 AM	#48
Mooreski Lieutenant 29 Rep 489 Posts Drives: LMB '09 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	I noticed a DOD decal in the picture of the back side of the boost gauge. If we read this whole thread, do you have to kill us? Can you take a pic of where the line for the boost gauge plugs into the rest of the system?
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01-27-2008, 01:05 PM	#50
pdjafari Colonel 173 Rep 2,510 Posts Drives: G80 M3C Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	damn mr5 your going all out!!!
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01-27-2008, 10:09 PM	#51
boosted305 Private First Class 7 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	dude...love your work and your write ups...very informative... and you and I are on the same page...I have been agonizing over where to mount my gauge...and been very hesistant to drill anything...and really don't prefer the placement of many of the posters' gauge (e.g. in the glove box or ashtray)...I've had several turbo cars before and believe it needs to be in line-of-sight (JMO) As a result, I was going to try velcro in the exact same spot (the traditional boost gauge location!) but will try the double sided tape instead... and love your bracket... great stuff...your R&D is really helpful to all of us thanks a bunch BTW....SOLD!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-27-2008, 10:14 PM	#52
boosted305 Private First Class 7 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	oh, btw...I thought I read somewhere that using the DV valve vacuum line results in boost spike readings when you let off the throttle...or something like that... does that happen to you? thanks in advance
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01-28-2008, 01:38 AM	#56
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,548 Posts Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	anyone has experience with this gauge? http://prosportgauges.com/Digital-boost-1.aspx
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01-31-2008, 03:50 PM	#57
NM_BMW Vishnu Powered 74 Rep 2,205 Posts Drives: 335xi, S1000RR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Proceding iTrader: (7)	Mr 5, You ever think about the autometer CF cup? I am debating about this CF cup and the black one you have. I'm just not sure I want to pay an extra $20 for the CF one. __________________ 2008 335xi Sedan \| Titanium Silver \| Black Dakota PROcede v5 \| Vishnu Exhaust \| BMS DCI \| AR Catless DPs \| Helix FMIC \| Stett Charge w/ Tial BOV \| MORR VS8s \| KWv3
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02-07-2008, 11:29 AM	#61
e90AW335i Major General 144 Rep 6,608 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ...... iTrader: (4)	Just ordered the gauge and the tubing kit! Thanks Mr.5.... __________________ I install all tunes, intakes, o2 simms, and most cosmetic mods. PM me for a quote.
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04-30-2008, 10:14 AM	#62
mike281 Private 1 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Hey I recently bought and installed this guage. I was wondering what yours says you are running for boost. I am completely stock and mine is saying I'm running 4-5 psi. This seemed kind of low to me, just wondering if this is right or if there is something wrong. Thanks.
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04-30-2008, 11:46 AM	#64
Ruff Rider "posting from my recliner" 102 Rep 7,241 Posts Drives: twin turbo Prius Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Where the air is thin iTrader: (0)	I have the STRI gauge. With the engine off my gauge needle was about 1 and a half lines below zero. I was concerned. So I hooked up my lap top to the procede to read boost. With the car under load the procede and the STRI gauge hit zero at the exact same time. The other readings under load are right on also between the two. IM very happy with the STRI gauge. __________________ Ping Golf Club demo tech
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