Well 2 Weekends ago I installed an ACT clutch kit, and also Helix IC piping along with it. The Helix Turbo discharge pipe has been boost leaking (pin hole in weld), but that is now fixed. I have an Autometer Phantom Boost gauge. Vac/PSI, and has always been perfect. Recently I redid the tapped area because i thought it was leaking and now isnt, but now when i take off in 1st gear (driving normal, low load, around 0 vacuum) the needle will shoot up to 0 and bounce back and forth really fast like my car is vibrating, and then will quit when i get the rpms more up and more load on the car. Why does the boost gauge do this all of a sudden at quick throttle , low gear, and very low rpm 1-2k ish rpm. I dont think any of the mods I have would cause this weird occasion all of a sudden. The needle has always bounced fast around at 11-13 vacuum (272 cams). Throw me some things to look for that may be the culprit. Thanks!

 

guess u guys are stumped too.

 

get a new gauge.... i dont trust autometer anymore..

 

yeah, my autometer has been off by about 3psi since day 1, but I can do math, so for the 50 bucks I spent on it, and the 50 I saved on buying some other crap, it's worth it

 

nah the gauge is fine and reads perfect, just something from my car is making it vibrate the needle really fast for a second at low rpm's like when i first take off.

 

Maybe something opening/leaking at very low boost when the turbo starts to ramp up. Maybe the BOV or wastegate.

 

AutoMeter Phantom Boost Gauge (PIECE OF CRAP)
Now that I know better, I wouldn't use an Autometer gauge for anything more than a general indicator of when I'm "on boost"
To me it's worse than the OEM (even w/o the hash marks!!!)

 

93CivEJ1, I have the same gauge as you and I have never run into that problem. I also have 272 cams. check your connections for the boost gauge. Where are you running it through the fire wall?

 

ultra lite is good.

did you check your boost hose?

vibration? the whole car?

 

it was bov problem.

 

Ultralite is crap too. They are all way off. The only autometer gauges that are any good are the new nexus gauges.

 

autometer makes some decent quality stuff for the price. I guess they are sooo much crap that even the pro's use them.

 

The pros don't use any of the cheaper stuff like phantom/ultra lite/pro comp. It may be hard to believe but the pros actually get special stuff. It's so funny that people spend thousands of dollars on turbo kits/engine modifications but when it comes to buying gauges that will protect your investment they go cheap.