Prosport Boost Gauge

[mrmister]

I wanted to get a Prosport boost gauge for my MS6, but was having trouble deciding between the mechanical and the electrical. I've seen some other threads on here comparing them, but can't find a definitive answer. Is one more accurate than the other? Any other things I should be aware of?

Thanks.

[mrmister]

Anybody have any information for me at all.

Thanks again.

[sic77]

got a prosport blue mech. one in mine and love it reads perfect. thats just my 2 cents. 98284

[funktownp5]

The electrical gauge will be more reponsive and accurate than a mechanical.

Also with the electrical no need to run a vacuum line into the compartment.

[benzo]

There is pros and cons to both. If you want something that reads really accurate you might consider a mech. Mech. might be a little more reliable. But I know there are issues with some mech. going bad because of the springs insides. Electricals are nice cause it is easy to install and might be a little faster adjusting the needle, plus you can get the call back feature. I think personally i might go with an electrical.

[mrmister]

got a prosport blue mech. one in mine and love it reads perfect. thats just my 2 cents. 98284
Where did you get that gauge pod? Would it be possible to use something like that on the MS6 since it has the curtain airbags there?

[sic77]

it's a autometer single gauge pod. as far as the airbags i don't know about that you might have to put the gauge somewhere else.

[freekwonder]

I had the prosport electronic boost gauge in my car. It never quite worked right. They sent me a second one and it didn't work either. Got a mechanical boost gauge and it works perfect. The service was great and the gauges look great. Just for some reason I couldn't get the electronic version to read correctly. The mechanical one is working great and is beautiful.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d192/freekwonder/mazdaspeed/IMG_1089_640x480.jpg

(http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d192/freekwonder/mazdaspeed/?action=view&current=IMG_1089_640x480.jpg)

[mrmister]

How hard was it to install the Lotek gaugepod? Did you have to remove the entire HU?

I like the clean look of it, but if I was going to buy it, I'd also need two more gauges to go in it. What other gauges would be useful in it?

[freekwonder]

yes you have to removed the hu. take the cup holder out, ashtray/shifter suround, two screws for the hu, and then two screws for the pocket. But you have to permently mod the pocket. You have to remove the top. I plan to get an oil pressure and egt gauges, just wanted to try a gauge from them first before I bought more from them.

[Kansei]

it matches the ms6 interior beautifully :)

I have 4 prosport gauges.. in my avatar

[freekwonder]

The gauges are just a tad more orange then the stock gauges, I have it set up for the amber. But its close enough that all my friends love the way they look.

[808speed6]

I had the prosport electronic boost gauge in my car. It never quite worked right. They sent me a second one and it didn't work either. Got a mechanical boost gauge and it works perfect. The service was great and the gauges look great. Just for some reason I couldn't get the electronic version to read correctly. The mechanical one is working great and is beautiful.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d192/freekwonder/mazdaspeed/IMG_1089_640x480.jpg

(http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d192/freekwonder/mazdaspeed/?action=view&current=IMG_1089_640x480.jpg)

i have the prosport electrical boost gauge, never had a problem. works great and looks good doing it :) i highly recommend them. the only thing about the gauges is they are a bit dim during the daytime, probably because the smoked glass is so dark, and the wires are too short.

[freekwonder]

i have the prosport electrical boost gauge, never had a problem. works great and looks good doing it :) i highly recommend them. the only thing about the gauges is they are a bit dim during the daytime, probably because the smoked glass is so dark, and the wires are too short.

I just had problems for some reason. Would never read boost correctly. I must have been doing something wrong. I still support Prosport. Plan to get a couple more gauges from them. I think I'm going to try and use their little hood they send with the gauge in junction with the gauge pod.

[Kansei]

I originally installed the hoods, but right now they have no hood. I haven't put the gauge panel back in the car yet to see how I like it without.

[freekwonder]

Well if my wife works tonight. I'll put the hood on and see what it looks like with the hood on the lotek pod. I'll post some pics.

[mrmister]

Alright, I ended up ordering the electrical gauge, and I hope I won't have any problems with it.

Before I get it, I just want to make sure that I know where to hook it up to. I heard the best place to hook it into is the vacuum hose off of the BOV. I circled two hoses in the attached picture. I believe it would be the bottom one I circled, but I'd like to be positive before I go ahead and cut into it.

Also, where is the best place to hook into for power?

Thanks.

[freekwonder]

yes the bottom circle is it. Thats where I hooked mine up.

And I wasn't trying to scare you away from the electric one. Telling you my experience so you know to give them a chance if you have any problems. They seem like a good company and took care of me.

[Kansei]

My electric one worked great the first time I got to use it last night :)

[mrmister]

They sounds like a really good company, and I'm sure it'll work fine.

Also, where did you guys hook into for power?

[mrmister]

Would it be easier to hook it up to something in the engine compartment or something inside the cabin? And if either of those, where is the best spot?

[Kansei]

Well I don't have an MS6 but I soldered into the wiring harness for my aftermarket radio since that way I didn't have to cut any factory wires.

[mrmister]

Unfortunately, I don't have an aftermarket radio. Anyone have a good picture of where they hooked in, so I can get an idea.

Thanks

[freekwonder]

I hooked into the wiring harness going to the radio. Can't remember the wires though. If I get a chance I'll look again, but I have to pull the stereo out.

[808speed6]

They sounds like a really good company, and I'm sure it'll work fine.

Also, where did you guys hook into for power?

i tapped power and ground from the dimmer switch. there is a 12v constant and ground there that is not affected by the knob. also the gauges will turn on when the cluster turns on, not when youre just listening to the radio with the engine off. you can easily push the dimmer switch out if you reach under the dash and squeeze the clip on the top and bottom. no need to disconnect the harness.

green/black stripe: 12v
black: ground

[Kansei]

^^ thanks for the idea.. I'll have to see how this works on Proteges, our clusters only light up when the headlights are on so it might not work.. I'll do some probing around with the multimeter when I get a chance.

[freekwonder]

that is a good idea. May have to change my wiring around to do the same. Thanks for the idea 808.