Boost gauge

[wickedsonic]

Anyone else a little bit vexed about the lack of boost gauge from the factory?

With noone yet making a gauge pod setup, i still went out and got a gauge. Anyone else got one setup that doest drill into or damage too many factory components? I'm gonna just "shove" mine somewhere until a solution comes out as i'm not gonna send screw holes through a $800 i/p

 

[Sonic]

No, not at all. The Sonic is not a performance car. The turbo on it is for enhanced MPG, not enhanced HP. That said, a boost gauge isn't needed for the buyers who won't tune their Sonic. Those that do tune their Sonic might want to consider a boost gauge since they will be running much higher than stock boost levels.

 

[BoG233]

Anyone else a little bit vexed about the lack of boost gauge from the factory?

With noone yet making a gauge pod setup, i still went out and got a gauge. Anyone else got one setup that doest drill into or damage too many factory components? I'm gonna just "shove" mine somewhere until a solution comes out as i'm not gonna send screw holes through a $800 i/p

Ultra gauge has one and one of the other members did a install with pictures . I plan on getting one soon I don't like not knowing what is happening in my engine .

 

[Beastly]

I am. Like BoG, I too want to know what's going on under the hood. Tune or no tune, it's much easier and convenient to notice a boost leak from inside the cabin.

 

[gsxr1000]

Ultra gauge has one and one of the other members did a install with pictures . I plan on getting one soon I don't like not knowing what is happening in my engine .

I ordered it few days ago.... It is back oreder but $75 is a great price.....

Also i am disappointed that they ommited a temp guage....

 

[RichieRocket]

I ordered it few days ago.... It is back oreder but $75 is a great price.....

Also i am disappointed that they ommited a temp guage....

I also don't like not having the temp gauge. You really don't have to have one, but it's nice on cold mornings to see when the temp starts creeping up.

I really wish it had a boost gauge also, but again, you really don't need it...fun to have.

I have one on back order also, can't wait to get it and play with fuel octanes versus ignition timing advance. I also want to actually see throttle position while climbing highway hills in 6th. A new toy!

 

[keto06]

I also don't like not having the temp gauge. You really don't have to have one, but it's nice on cold mornings to see when the temp starts creeping up.

I really wish it had a boost gauge also, but again, you really don't need it...fun to have.

I have one on back order also, can't wait to get it and play with fuel octanes versus ignition timing advance. I also want to actually see throttle position while climbing highway hills in 6th. A new toy!

See now I have to have one.

 

[Sonic Boomer]

While I agree with Sonic that this is not a performance car; I would make the counter-argument that it is one of few good, utilitarian vehicles for a car enthusiast under $20,000. Many of us can't justify a performance car, and we go for the next best thing that is fun and fits our needs, which is the Sonic!
As such, a bit more qualitative information from the gauge cluster would be very welcome. I will definitely add an ultra-gauge whether I tune the car or not.

 

[Sonic]

I didn't downplay it's position in the marketplace. GM wanted to keep the cost down, and offer features that the majority of consumers want. The majority of consumers want things like satellite radio, fog lights, sunroofs, iPod hookups, etc. The majority of the consumers that make up the target market for this car don't need or want a boost gauge.

 

[Gimpster]

The only infuriatng thing to me about the car.... all of the data we want to know is available on the GMLAN / CAN BUS. I have a bunch of gauges from a previous vehicle, but I'm thinking about buying a dashdaq. Those guys have all of the enhanced GM PID's, so pretty much everything we'd want to know can be displayed.

I look ardound my interior, and I can't think of a place that I want to put traditional gauges is all. Obviously thats a personal choice.

In general I'd say from the factory the car has MORE instrumentation than my wifes Yaris. So I totally get what Sonic is saying.

 

[BoG233]

I didn't downplay it's position in the marketplace. GM wanted to keep the cost down, and offer features that the majority of consumers want. The majority of consumers want things like satellite radio, fog lights, sunroofs, iPod hookups, etc. The majority of the consumers that make up the target market for this car don't need or want a boost gauge.

Ya the target mark that thinks wow a kick flip in my sonic would be so cool .

 

[Beastly]

I didn't downplay it's position in the marketplace. GM wanted to keep the cost down, and offer features that the majority of consumers want. The majority of consumers want things like satellite radio, fog lights, sunroofs, iPod hookups, etc. The majority of the consumers that make up the target market for this car don't need or want a boost gauge.

While a good point; I think the 1.8 hits that market perfectly. All things listed are available on the 1.8 as well as something else that is not available on the 1.4. That being the 6spd AT. This being said, The 1.4 is a bit of a niche car in comparison to the 1.8. It's pretty obvious why they are so much harder to find, than the 1.8, due to such reasons. Having to commute close to Atlanta everyday, it becomes pretty obvious why people stay away from MT cars. However, I love mine.

I find a boost gauge to be a utility and not so much a luxury. My previous forced induced cars 2004 SRT-4 and 2001 VW GOLF GLS remained stock and, I'd hate to concieve the thought of drilling in my interior. The VW lacked a boost gauge and, I hated it. There was a time that it, could have saved me some diagnostic time.

I miss the Temp Gauge as well. I don't want to wait for the light to go on before I know of an overheating issue. Really nice to have when a water pump fails "Rare but, have had it happen. Darn plastic impellers!".

 

[gsxr1000]

I didn't downplay it's position in the marketplace. GM wanted to keep the cost down, and offer features that the majority of consumers want. The majority of consumers want things like satellite radio, fog lights, sunroofs, iPod hookups, etc. The majority of the consumers that make up the target market for this car don't need or want a boost gauge.

I don't see how puting a digital temp in the cluster would cost even a penney more since that is information already in the computer.... and those round holes across the top could have been a crude bar gragh boost gauge..... just saying it isn't $$.

 

[Sonic Boomer]

I didn't downplay it's position in the marketplace. GM wanted to keep the cost down, and offer features that the majority of consumers want. The majority of consumers want things like satellite radio, fog lights, sunroofs, iPod hookups, etc. The majority of the consumers that make up the target market for this car don't need or want a boost gauge.

Eventually, you are probably right. However, with the current availability of the 1.4 turbo only with manual transmission, I'd bet a decent percentage of buyers would be interested in a boost gauge.
Ultimately, I'm kind of glad it is not there - if the car came with an engine temp and a boost gauge, I'd probably be reluctant to do RockTheShazbot's install of the Ultraguage. As is, it is a no-brainer!

For those that missed it, here is a link to the Ultraguage thread:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t879/

 

[Alan]

Factory boost gauges aren't known for being the most accurate anyways...so most folks put in their own if they really want to monitor what is going on.

Seems the pocket to the left of the head unit would be a good spot for an extra gauge. There is also the top of the steering column as well.

It also seems worth waiting for the RS to come out. Since that is the more performance oriented Sonic perhaps GM could maybe throw a boost gauge in there and, if so, those looking to add this to their Sonic could source some factory mounting points.

 

[David1]

Guys,

I have been working on a multifunction vent gauge for the Cruze and we are almost done with it. Here is what it can do. Let me know if you guys would be interested but the drivers side vent in the Sonic is a pain to deal with.

•Boost/vacuum with up to 15 seconds of recording with playback and peak recall.
•Code reading and clearing (automatically checks for codes upon engine start)
•Coolant temp
•Exhaust gas temp
•Throttle position
•Battery voltage
•0-60 timer
•Automatic display dimming if you want to hook it up
•Shift light that is adjustable. (the display will flash at you)

Click on the link for a good picture of it.
Coming Soon

 

[ChevyST_12]

Guys,

I have been working on a multifunction vent gauge for the Cruze and we are almost done with it. Here is what it can do. Let me know if you guys would be interested but the drivers side vent in the Sonic is a pain to deal with.

•Boost/vacuum with up to 15 seconds of recording with playback and peak recall.
•Code reading and clearing (automatically checks for codes upon engine start)
•Coolant temp
•Exhaust gas temp
•Throttle position
•Battery voltage
•0-60 timer
•Automatic display dimming if you want to hook it up
•Shift light that is adjustable. (the display will flash at you)

Click on the link for a good picture of it.
Coming Soon

So this is pretty awesome man, so you gonna try and do something like this for the sonic??

 

[David1]

So this is pretty awesome man, so you gonna try and do something like this for the sonic??

If there is enough interest.

 

[keto06]

If there is enough interest.

Definitely interest. Both current and future.

 

[wickedsonic]

No, not at all. The Sonic is not a performance car. The turbo on it is for enhanced MPG, not enhanced HP. That said, a boost gauge isn't needed for the buyers who won't tune their Sonic. Those that do tune their Sonic might want to consider a boost gauge since they will be running much higher than stock boost levels.

thats completely incorrect. If i want fuel economy i can watch my shift patterns for max mpg. if i shift into fourth at 20mph and it requires 10 psi of boost then i'm doing more harm then good. Staying at or near 20 hg/in of vacuum in all situations will net me the most fuel economy.
So yes, its not "meant" for performance, but i own it , it'll be meant for whatever the hell i do to it. However the boost gauge can be used for maximum fuel efficiency too