Just got a 2004 wrx, and I am planning on getting a set of gauges before I start modding.

My mod plans are only for uppipe, tbe, and accessport, but I figure that I should at least have boost and egt gauges, but more info never hurts.

Considering the basic nature of my mods, should I get these 2 gauges, or would I be fine running without?

I am considering 3 ways to house gauges:
the 2 gauge bezel that goes over the factory insturments:

http://www.wrxhookup.com/index.asp?P...PROD&ProdID=86

like that.

a 3 gauge pod that mounts in the clock spot(kinda like having a clock, but I can live without it if need be)

or, the psi3

http://www.psi3.co.uk/post01single.html

This unit looks nice, but I would have to get a new stereo(a mod I plan on eventually anyway, but would have to do soon cause I dont want pod-mount) and I havent seen much feedback on it.




Anyway, can you give me some insight as to how much info I really need about whats going on in my car? Consider that I will most likely not make major power mods beyond up/tbe and accessport.

I also want the car to look as clean as possible, I will occaisonally have to take my boss, coworkers, and even clients in my car, so I dont want it to look ricey(no pillar mount)

If there is another way I can monitor vital engine stats while looking clean, please let me know.

Thanks for your input!!

 

Get the PSI3 - it is the best bang for the buck. My PSI3 cost less than the 3 GReddy 52mm gauges and pod I already had. With the additional sensors for oil pressure and temperature, you'll pretty much have every vital sign covered.

If you do end up going with conventional gauges, and plan on doing any power mods, then definitely go with boost and EGT. Oil Pressure is nice, but it's usually too late when the gauge goes to zero. Oil temp would be nice if you plan on racing. And Fuel Pressure is a good idea if you plan on bigger injectors and a bigger turbo.

my install of the PSI3:
http://mikeegan.stormpages.com/PSI.html

My install of the GReddy gauges:
http://mikeegan.stormpages.com/Gauges.html

 

Pillar mount guages are kind of a dead givaway to other's that your car is modded - but ricey? NO.

Ricey is puting in all sorts of guages which you don't need, just because you think it looks cool. A-pilar mount guages are a clean install, easy to view, and simple to install.

Also, if you are just modding you exahust, your boost is not going to get any higher than when it was stock, its just going to rise faster. If your not thinking about boost control you dont exactly need a boost guage. its just nice to have, Because the more you know about whats actually going on in your motor, the easier it will be to determine if somthing is wrong.

thats just my 2 cents

 

Great! Thanks guys, lets hear some more opinions....

I'm thinking the same way as neenjafus and just want to get a good consensus before dropping any cash

 

Just a note: the PSI3 does come in a form factor that fits the stock Subaru gauge pod (the one that replaces the clock) so you can keep your factory radio. It sells for $599 with the pod.

The other "pro" for the PSI3 is that you avoid what can be a very painful and exhausting install process for the manual gagues. I helped a friend install boost, voltage and EGT guages in his 02 WRX and it took us three hours and a lot of scrapes and curses. The PSI3 is, according to the web site at least, totally "plug and play" as it draws data from the same sensors the ECU reads.

Definitely my next investment when my engine reaches 36k and I start adding power mods.

 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=505262

45mm Omori's in the stock pod. Best OEM/non-rice looking gauges, period.

Or, 52mm Omori's in the Autometer Gauge bezel.

You're EXACTLY at the decision point I'm at. I like the SECCS monitor ( http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hlight=monitor ) But it's too spendy and I think I'd probably crash trying to read it.

Plus the AccessPort/Tuner will have some logging potential...so I will have that eventually.

 

I went with the bezel, looks VERY clean, VERY factory looking... Here is my install: https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...lled+my+gauges

Omori gauges in this pod would look even more stock...