Boost gauge
Aboost gauge[1]is apressure gaugethat indicates manifold air pressure orturbochargerorsuperchargerboostpressure[2]in aninternal combustion engine.They are commonly mounted on the dashboard, on the driver's side pillar, or in a radio slot.[3]
Turbochargers and superchargers are both engine-driven air compressors (exhaust-driven or mechanically driven, respectively) and provide varying levels ofboostaccording to engine rpm, load etc.[4]Quite often there is apower bandwithin a given range of available boost pressure and it is an aid to performance driving to be aware of when that power band is being approached, in the same way a driver wants to be aware of engine rpm.[5]
A boost gauge is used to ensure excessive pressure is not being generated when boost pressure is being modified to levels higher than OEM standard on a production turbocharged car. Simple methods can be employed to increase factory boost levels, such as bleeding air off the wastegate diaphragm to 'fool' it into staying closed longer, or installing aboost controller.[6]To prevent theAir-fuel ratiofrom goinglean(caused by increasing the boost beyond the fuel systems capacity) care must be taken to monitor boost pressure levels, along withoxygenlevels in the exhaust gas, using anair-fuel ratio meterthat monitors theoxygen sensor.[7]
A boost gauge will measure pressure inpsi,barorkPa;many also measure manifoldvacuumpressure ininches of mercury(in. Hg) ormm of mercury(mm Hg).[3]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Bell, Corky (1997).Maximum Boost: designing, testing, and installing turbocharger systems.Cambridge, MA: Robert Bentley Automotive Publishers.ISBN0-83760-160-6.
- ^Goodsell, Don (1995).Dictionary of Automotive Engineering.Society of Automotive Engineers.ISBN1-56091-683-4.
- ^abKnowling, Michael (7 October 2008)."Basic Hands-On - How to Fit a Boost Gauge".www.autospeed.com.Retrieved15 May2024.
- ^Markus, Frank (5 March 2024)."Turbocharger vs. Supercharger: What's the Difference?".www.motortrend.com.Retrieved15 May2024.
- ^Voronov, Dmitry (2 April 2019)."Forcing the issue: Making big power around a road course".BBA Media.Retrieved15 May2024.
- ^"How Does a Boost Controller Work?".Turbosmart. 27 October 2021.Retrieved15 May2024.
- ^Neophytou, Stavros (20 October 2023)."Air Fuel Ratio Guide: How To Keep Your Engine Safe".Kelsey Media Ltd.Retrieved15 May2024.
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