My father bought a used STS setup for his 03 Z, we are getting stuff ready for install but he has been nagging me for answers to two questions more than others...

First off is what extra gauges are actually needed for the setup, and why... he thinks that my wide-band and areoforce are both useless, the kit came with a new fuel pressure and boost gauge...?

Second is why does the system run a scavange pump and not use engine oil pressure or have a pressure pump pushing oil to the turbos? He is worried about the turbo's oil system failing while on a trip and being stranded waiting on stuff you cant just pick up at your local parts store.

please give me some good answers because I am tired of arguing with him...lol

thanks
Bill

 

#1 No gauges are mandatory. Good idea to at least have a AFR gauge.
#2 it does use the engine oil pressure to supply the turbos, the scavenge pump is for getting the oil back to the engine.

 

There isn't enough oil pressure to deliver oil all the way to the turbo and back. All rear mount turbo setups (including mine) that I know of use a scavenge pump.

If the pump fails, you should be able to see a noticeable drop in oil pressure from the dash gauge.

IMO turbo setups should have wideband, boost, and fuel pressure gauges, but most people only put 2 of the 3 on. Wideband is mostly used for tuning, so if you're not tuning it yourself, its arguable that you don't really need it, but I sure as hell would want one to check the tune after you get it (real world is different from dyno pulls), and in case something goes wrong (boost leak, IAT failure, injector failure, etc.) you'll be able to catch it easier with a wideband. And I would want to dial in fuel while cruising, which is hard for a tuner to do in 1 day.

Fuel pressure lets you know if your fuel pump(s) run out of fuel, or if you're using a Boost A Pump, if it fails, etc. IF fuel pressure drops below normal its VERY BAD NEWS. Running lean on a WOT run can easily ruin your engine. IMO you really need a warning light or buzzer for fuel pressure. Kind of unrealistic to be doing a pass down the track, and be keen enough to realize fuel pressure is at 36psi instead of 56psi on an analogue gauge.

But, really the most use you'll get out of a fuel pressure gauge is while tuning, to see if you have enough fuel.

 

Thanks guys, I will show him the thread and hopefully he will listen to you y'all...