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Picture of Boost and EGT Gauges mounted in Saab DIN panel
For my gauges, I choose to install a boost and EGT gauge from the Autometer Ultralite series. These gauges will aid in monitoring what is going on under the hood. The boost gauge is absolutely mandatoring to assure that max boost pressure is not exceded, and the EGT gauge will aid in fine tuning of A/F ratios and ignition timing (along with the use of a wideband O2 sensor during dynotuning).
I did not want to install the gauges in an A-pillar pod, since this might draw attention to possible theifs who are passing by, and I didn't want to block the A/C vents by using a gauge panel there, so I decided that installing the gauges in the single DIN location beneath the factory head unit was best location. I used a turbo Saab DIN gauge panel to mount the gauges. This panel is not a "perfect" fit on the MR2, and as many people have pointed out, you will have to trim some parts of the surrounding plastic to get the panel to snap in. Unfortunately, I tried to fit the panel in without trimming anything, and ended up breaking off the flimsy plastic tabs that help secure the panel in place. The solution was to finish breaking off the remaining tabs, and use an adhesive to bond the panel to the existing plastic. I used some ABS plastic rubber cement that I had laying around, and it worked great.
I was also planning on adding an oil pressure gauge, but decided not to since installing the sending unit for this gauge would require adding another device to my 't' fitting (located in the oil pressure sensor port), in addition to my oil feed line. This would significanly complicate things, since no one makes a 4-way 't' fitting that I know of, and would add weight to the fitting that might result in the fitting breaking off inside the head(which would be VERY bad).
The best place to route the wires and hose for the EGT and boost gauge is to remove the armrest/center console unit, and locate the rubber grommet with the wire harnesses running threw it. Run the wires from the inside of the car into the engine bay. The wires will come out on the passenger's side of the firewall heat shield. I ran the line (I used windshield washer fluid rubber hose) for the boost gauge and t'd into the hose that connects the WG with the port on the compressor housing, using a 3/16 x 3/16 x 1/8" plastic 't'. I used 3/16" hose for the turbo to WG connection, since the stock size hose is a little wider than 3/16", and could result in a leak if using a 't' with 3/16" connections. Note that installing the gauges in the DIN location also requires less wire and hose length, and less interior panels have to be removed. I tapped the cigarette lighter illumination wire for gauge lighting, and tapped the 12v+ wire (ignition switched) to the cigarette lighter for power to the EGT gauge.
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