[persian54]

I'm going to upgrade from a Jb+ to a Jb3 soon

since I don't plan on running more than map 3, MAYBE map 5 if i find 93+ octane, do i need a gauge?

or would it be purely cosmetic?

Also, typically, how much does it cost for a boast gauge install?

Thanks in advance.

[deletedelete]

Boost gauge is always needed for a boosted car. And installing it yourself is easy. Only a few minute job.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

Boost gauge is always needed for a boosted car. And installing it yourself is easy. Only a few minute job.

really?

I'm not one to be connecting wires into stuff I don't know about...

[deletedelete]

Its so easy its not even funny. I could probably do the whole install in less than 5 minutes. The diy tells you exactly what to do. The cig lighter has all the wires you need. You just tap into those, run a t-line into the engine bay and thats it.

If you do get somebody to install it for you, it shouldnt cost that much.

[persian54]

What about the dealer?

Would you need to remove it each time?

Wouldn't they see the wiring etc??

[deletedelete]

I have mine in the ashtray area. With the lid closed its hidden. The only wires visible is the vacuum line in the engine bay, but that can be kept out of sight. They wont notice the gauge.

[persian54]

they won't notice the vacuum line?

really?

[deletedelete]

I dont know? Maybe if they are in that area. But no way if they are just changing the oil doing a service. And the vacuum line can be fairly well concealed. Mine is hidden from site. Only on the line where the t is, can you see the line.

It would be too tough to take the vacuum line out for every dealer visit.

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by persian54

I'm going to upgrade from a Jb+ to a Jb3 soon

since I don't plan on running more than map 3, MAYBE map 5 if i find 93+ octane, do i need a gauge?

or would it be purely cosmetic?

Also, typically, how much does it cost for a boast gauge install?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, you need a boost gauge on a tuned 335i. It shows whether your system is wealthy or you have a problem by measuring the vacuum and boost pressure. A datalogger might be a good idea as well, but it shows problems usually after the fact ( at least I am not able to drive progressive and watch a laptop display ) which might be too late.

Cheers,
Eugen

[themyst]

A boost gauge pinpointed a major boost leak for me that I brought to the dealer's attention. Without the boost gauge, I might have "thought" my car was slower but no way to physically tell. Needless to say, when I got my car back, it was boosting 15-16 psi, compared to the 12 psi it was before.

[SFD507]

Are you tuned? I thought our cars ran like 11 stock, and around 15 you started running the risk of blowing the stock DVs etc.

[scottp999]

Originally Posted by SFD507

Are you tuned? I thought our cars ran like 11 stock, and around 15 you started running the risk of blowing the stock DVs etc.

Stock is 8-9 PSI max. The car will not blow the stock DV's at 15-16 PSI. They may wear sooner, but have not even seen that happen.

Answer to the gauge question = YES!

It's very important to know when you are tuned what PSI your car is seeing.

If you have BMS, look into their tuning gauge. If you want something that looks OEM then go with Rick's vent boost gauge, nothing looks better IMHO: http://www.p3cars.com/

[RiXst3r]

It removes the guess work from knowing that your car is boosting properly.... I couldn't live without it!

If you get a kit like mine with a full plug and play kit, the install is super easy, we even give you a video to follow along with.

-Rick

[Sniz]

OP - yes you need a guage

[CubanJJ09]

really tho 400 bucks? someone school me on this cause i can justify that much for a gauge thought it would be like 100 or 200

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by persian54

I'm going to upgrade from a Jb+ to a Jb3 soon

since I don't plan on running more than map 3, MAYBE map 5 if i find 93+ octane, do i need a gauge?

or would it be purely cosmetic?

Also, typically, how much does it cost for a boast gauge install?

Thanks in advance.

Yes you need one (I need one.) You dont need 93 octane to run map 5. I run map 5 24/7 on 91 octane.

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

really tho 400 bucks? someone school me on this cause i can justify that much for a gauge thought it would be like 100 or 200

You talking about the digital vent one? I want this one, but the price keeps scaring me away.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

really tho 400 bucks? someone school me on this cause i can justify that much for a gauge thought it would be like 100 or 200

Originally Posted by McMuffin

You talking about the digital vent one? I want this one, but the price keeps scaring me away.

well your driving $40-$50k cars and plan on modding them but dont want to spend $400 on a well engineered gauge that will look stock so you can keep an eye on your eye engine?? Doesnt make sense to me.

If you want to go cheap you can pick up a VEI digital boost gauge and mount it yourself somewhere. I used to have mine up on the dashboard by the left A pillar.

regardless, get a gauge before anything else.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by McMuffin

You talking about the digital vent one? I want this one, but the price keeps scaring me away.

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

really tho 400 bucks? someone school me on this cause i can justify that much for a gauge thought it would be like 100 or 200

Its the difference between a mass market off the shelf gauge that was made in china, or a custom hand built product made in USA and JUST for the 335.

Its not for everyone... but those who get it never regret it... the quality, OEM look, fit and finish are all unmatched. Don't take my word for it... Just ask anyone who owns this gauge.

[whn]

I think digital vent gauge looks too much ricey for bimmer

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by Sniz

well your driving $40-$50k cars and plan on modding them but dont want to spend $400 on a well engineered gauge that will look stock so you can keep an eye on your eye engine?? Doesnt make sense to me.

If you want to go cheap you can pick up a VEI digital boost gauge and mount it yourself somewhere. I used to have mine up on the dashboard by the left A pillar.

regardless, get a gauge before anything else.

No, don't like that one. I've had other priorities so thats why I haven't purchsed it. But I will

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

Its the difference between a mass market off the shelf gauge that was made in china, or a custom hand built product made in USA and JUST for the 335.

Its not for everyone... but those who get it never regret it... the quality, OEM look, fit and finish are all unmatched. Don't take my word for it... Just ask anyone who owns this gauge.

You can map switch from the boost gauge instead of doing the whole pedal thing right? Explain to me how its done and does the gauge actually tell you what map your on?

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by McMuffin

You can map switch from the boost gauge instead of doing the whole pedal thing right? Explain to me how its done and does the gauge actually tell you what map your on?

Yes, BMS has a separate firmware file for the jb3 which enables this feature, and then I include a wire that goes between the gauge and the jb3.

The gauge has four on-screen map selections, bc.1, bc.2, bc.3, and bc.4

That is 4 slots for REALTIME map switching, on the fly, selected on screen.

bc.1 = JB3 map 0
bc.2 = gas pedal selected map (put the gauge in this mode, and it will always remember what you had selected using the gas pedal jb3 method, so you can put whatever map you want into this slot)
bc.3 = JB3 map 3
bc.4 = JB3 map 7

When you hold the button down on the front face for 2 seconds, it will display your currently selected map, just tap to cycle between all 4, and then wait for 3 seconds and it will be selected. Super easy. You can check out some videos on my site under the install guides section.