986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post

Kirk · 01-21-2008, 09:21 AM

Gary,

On a boosted car like yours I would say that boost pressure, air/fuel, and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) are the most critical gauges to have. Oil pressure is also VERY good to have on any kind of car, whether boosted or not. I've got an oil pressure gauge in my Honda race car and it has literally saved the engine multiple times. The problem is that the engine burns oil like crazy and I don't always keep on top of it, but the oil pressure gauge lets me know when the oil level gets a quart low as the pressure will start to fluctuate.

One thing that might be nice for a boosted car too is a knock sensor display. This type of display simply connects to one of your stock knock sensors (you have two on the Boxster) or to its own knock sensor. It then displays the level of knock you have in your engine through colored LEDs. The idea is that it's detonation that destroys your engine and if you could only hear it and react fast enough you could lift off the throttle and save your engine. With the knock display you'll SEE when you have bad detonation as a bright, red LED will light up. Then you can lift off the throttle and possibly save yourself a bunch of trouble.

I've personally got the "Knock Link" unit in my Boxster hooked up to its own Bosch knock sensor. The unit is mounted by my hazard light switch, high up on the dash. The LEDs then pretty much function like a shift light for me. If I get any knocking I know it's time to shift quick. I've got it set to ultra-sensitive now, so I see any bad engine noise and just go ahead and shift when I see it.

Attached is a picture of the Knock Link unit I have and here's an article about it:

http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0703_turp_knock_sensor_monitor/index.html

I don't know about the $328 price tag though. Seems like a real rip off. I bought mine for my Subaru WRX a few years ago for about $150, including the knock sensor. I got it from TurboXS. I see they don't sell it now, but they do sell a nice alternative that does the same thing:

http://www.turboxs.com/more_info.php?ID=212

Personally I'd worry about boost, A/F, EGT, and oil pressure first. Then if you want to add something like this later it would be nice for ANY modified car. My WRX was modified and I just took the Knock Link with me when I sold the car...

Kirk

01-21-2008, 09:21 AM	#3
Kirk Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 959	Gary, On a boosted car like yours I would say that boost pressure, air/fuel, and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) are the most critical gauges to have. Oil pressure is also VERY good to have on any kind of car, whether boosted or not. I've got an oil pressure gauge in my Honda race car and it has literally saved the engine multiple times. The problem is that the engine burns oil like crazy and I don't always keep on top of it, but the oil pressure gauge lets me know when the oil level gets a quart low as the pressure will start to fluctuate. One thing that might be nice for a boosted car too is a knock sensor display. This type of display simply connects to one of your stock knock sensors (you have two on the Boxster) or to its own knock sensor. It then displays the level of knock you have in your engine through colored LEDs. The idea is that it's detonation that destroys your engine and if you could only hear it and react fast enough you could lift off the throttle and save your engine. With the knock display you'll SEE when you have bad detonation as a bright, red LED will light up. Then you can lift off the throttle and possibly save yourself a bunch of trouble. I've personally got the "Knock Link" unit in my Boxster hooked up to its own Bosch knock sensor. The unit is mounted by my hazard light switch, high up on the dash. The LEDs then pretty much function like a shift light for me. If I get any knocking I know it's time to shift quick. I've got it set to ultra-sensitive now, so I see any bad engine noise and just go ahead and shift when I see it. Attached is a picture of the Knock Link unit I have and here's an article about it: http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0703_turp_knock_sensor_monitor/index.html I don't know about the $328 price tag though. Seems like a real rip off. I bought mine for my Subaru WRX a few years ago for about $150, including the knock sensor. I got it from TurboXS. I see they don't sell it now, but they do sell a nice alternative that does the same thing: http://www.turboxs.com/more_info.php?ID=212 Personally I'd worry about boost, A/F, EGT, and oil pressure first. Then if you want to add something like this later it would be nice for ANY modified car. My WRX was modified and I just took the Knock Link with me when I sold the car... Kirk