Boost gauge

Last updated
Boost gauge on a Ford Focus RS (left) Ford Focus RS Boost.jpg
Boost gauge on a Ford Focus RS (left)
30 psi Boost gauge 30psi Boost gauge.jpg
30 psi Boost gauge
Top: Turbo/APC boost gauge in a Saab 900 Saabturboapc.jpg
Top: Turbo/APC boost gauge in a Saab 900

A boost gauge [1] is a pressure gauge that indicates manifold air pressure or turbocharger or supercharger boost pressure [2] in an internal combustion engine. They are commonly mounted on the dashboard, on the driver's side pillar, or in a radio slot. [3]

Turbochargers and superchargers are both engine-driven air compressors (exhaust-driven or mechanically driven, respectively) and provide varying levels of boost according to engine rpm, load etc. [4] Quite often there is a power band within a given range of available boost pressure and it is an aid to performance driving to be aware of when that power band is being approached, in the same way a driver wants to be aware of engine rpm. [5]

A boost gauge is used to ensure excessive pressure is not being generated when boost pressure is being modified to levels higher than OEM standard on a production turbocharged car. Simple methods can be employed to increase factory boost levels, such as bleeding air off the wastegate diaphragm to 'fool' it into staying closed longer, or installing a boost controller. [6] To prevent the Air-fuel ratio from going lean (caused by increasing the boost beyond the fuel systems capacity) care must be taken to monitor boost pressure levels, along with oxygen levels in the exhaust gas, using an air-fuel ratio meter that monitors the oxygen sensor. [7]

A boost gauge will measure pressure in psi, bar or kPa; many also measure manifold vacuum pressure in inches of mercury (in. Hg) or mm of mercury (mm Hg). [3]

See also

Notes

  1. Bell, Corky (1997). Maximum Boost : designing, testing, and installing turbocharger systems . Cambridge, MA : Robert Bentley Automotive Publishers. ISBN   0-83760-160-6.
  2. Goodsell, Don (1995). Dictionary of Automotive Engineering . Society of Automotive Engineers. ISBN   1-56091-683-4.
  3. 1 2 Knowling, Michael (7 October 2008). "Basic Hands-On - How to Fit a Boost Gauge". www.autospeed.com. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  4. Markus, Frank (5 March 2024). "Turbocharger vs. Supercharger: What's the Difference?". www.motortrend.com. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  5. Voronov, Dmitry (2 April 2019). "Forcing the issue: Making big power around a road course". BBA Media. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. "How Does a Boost Controller Work?". Turbosmart. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. Neophytou, Stavros (20 October 2023). "Air Fuel Ratio Guide: How To Keep Your Engine Safe". Kelsey Media Ltd. Retrieved 15 May 2024.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turbocharger</span> Exhaust-powered forced-induction device for engines

In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake air, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miller cycle</span> Thermodynamic cycle

In engineering, the Miller cycle is a thermodynamic cycle used in a type of internal combustion engine. The Miller cycle was patented by Ralph Miller, an American engineer, U.S. patent 2,817,322 dated Dec 24, 1957. The engine may be two- or four-stroke and may be run on diesel fuel, gases, or dual fuel. It uses a supercharger or a turbocharger to offset the performance loss of the Atkinson cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allison V-1710</span> Aircraft engine produced and manufactured by Allison Engine Company

The Allison V-1710 aircraft engine designed and produced by the Allison Engine Company was the only US-developed V-12 liquid-cooled engine to see service during World War II. Versions with a turbocharger gave excellent performance at high altitude in the twin-engined Lockheed P-38 Lightning, and turbo-superchargers were fitted to experimental single-engined fighters with similar results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four-stroke engine</span> Internal combustion engine type

A four-strokeengine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either direction. The four separate strokes are termed:

  1. Intake: Also known as induction or suction. This stroke of the piston begins at top dead center (T.D.C.) and ends at bottom dead center (B.D.C.). In this stroke the intake valve must be in the open position while the piston pulls an air-fuel mixture into the cylinder by producing a partial vacuum in the cylinder through its downward motion.
  2. Compression: This stroke begins at B.D.C, or just at the end of the suction stroke, and ends at T.D.C. In this stroke the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture in preparation for ignition during the power stroke (below). Both the intake and exhaust valves are closed during this stage.
  3. Combustion: Also known as power or ignition. This is the start of the second revolution of the four stroke cycle. At this point the crankshaft has completed a full 360 degree revolution. While the piston is at T.D.C. the compressed air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug or by heat generated by high compression, forcefully returning the piston to B.D.C. This stroke produces mechanical work from the engine to turn the crankshaft.
  4. Exhaust: Also known as outlet. During the exhaust stroke, the piston, once again, returns from B.D.C. to T.D.C. while the exhaust valve is open. This action expels the spent air-fuel mixture through the exhaust port.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roots blower</span> A positive displacement lobe pump

The Roots blower is a positive displacement lobe pump which operates by pumping a fluid with a pair of meshing lobes resembling a set of stretched gears. Fluid is trapped in pockets surrounding the lobes and carried from the intake side to the exhaust.

A centrifugal supercharger is a specialized type of supercharger that makes use of centrifugal force in order to increase the manifold air pressure, MAP. An increased MAP allows the engine to burn more fuel, which results in an increased power output. Centrifugal superchargers are generally attached to the front of the engine via a belt-drive or gear-drive from the engine's crankshaft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Fuel</span> Type of drag racing motorsport

Top Fuel is a type of drag racing whose dragsters are the quickest accelerating racing cars in the world and the fastest sanctioned category of drag racing, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 338 miles per hour (544.0 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (304.8 m) runs in 3.62 seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft engine controls</span>

Aircraft engine controls provide a means for the pilot to control and monitor the operation of the aircraft's powerplant. This article describes controls used with a basic internal-combustion engine driving a propeller. Some optional or more advanced configurations are described at the end of the article. Jet turbine engines use different operating principles and have their own sets of controls and sensors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naturally aspirated engine</span> Type of internal combustion engine

A naturally aspirated engine, also known as a normally aspirated engine, and abbreviated to N/A or NA, is an internal combustion engine in which air intake depends solely on atmospheric pressure and does not have forced induction through a turbocharger or a supercharger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forced induction</span> Concept in engine design

In an internal combustion engine, forced induction is where turbocharging or supercharging is used to increase the density of the intake air. Engines without forced induction are classified as naturally aspirated.

The GM Ecotec engine, also known by its codename L850, is a family of all-aluminium inline-four engines, displacing between 1.4 and 2.5 litres. Confusingly, the Ecotec name was also applied to both the Buick V6 Engine when used in Holden Vehicles, as well as the final DOHC derivatives of the previous GM Family II engine; the architecture was substantially re-engineered for this new Ecotec application produced since 2000. This engine family replaced the GM Family II engine, the GM 122 engine, the Saab H engine, and the Quad 4 engine. It is manufactured in multiple locations, to include Spring Hill Manufacturing, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with engine blocks and cylinder heads cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Packard V-1650 Merlin</span> Piston aircraft engine

The Packard V-1650 Merlin is a version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine, produced under license in the United States by the Packard Motor Car Company. The engine was licensed to expand production of the Rolls-Royce Merlin for British use. The engine also filled a gap in the U.S. at a time when similarly powered American-made engines were not available.

Inch of mercury is a non-SI unit of measurement for pressure. It is used for barometric pressure in weather reports, refrigeration and aviation in the United States.

A twincharger refers to a compound forced induction system used on some internal combustion engines. It is a combination of an exhaust-driven turbocharger and a mechanically driven supercharger, each mitigating the weaknesses of the other.

In an internal combustion engine, twin-turbo is a layout in which two turbochargers work in tandem to compress the intake fuel/air mixture. The most common layout features two identical or mirrored turbochargers in parallel, each processing half of a V engine's produced exhaust through independent piping. The two turbochargers can either be matching or different sizes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allison V-3420</span> Large experimental piston aircraft engine

The Allison V-3420 was a large experimental piston aircraft engine, designed in 1937 by the American Allison Engine Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supercharger</span> Air compressor for an internal combustion engine

In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.

An electric supercharger is a specific type of supercharger for internal combustion engines that uses an electrically powered forced-air system that contains an electric motor to pressurize the intake air. By pressurizing the air available to the engine intake system, the air becomes more dense, and is matched with more fuel, producing the increased horsepower to the wheels.