I don't know what happened with my last two posts, so I will try again.

Today I had a digital boost gauge installed (I was also hoping to have my air/fuel gauge installed as well but it is still on backorder). I was expecting to see 4-6 pounds of boost, instead I saw 9! Now I should point out several things. First, I have the k&N filter with a modified air box, which may account for some additional boost, but I wouldn't think that much! Second, and probably the most obvious, the gauge could be wrong.

I chose Nordskog gauges because they were the only ones that I could find that offered a digital readout (numbers). When using dial/analog gauges I could never tell exactly where the needle was positioned.

Anyway, I am assuming that the gauge is wrong. Regardless, I do have a benchmark to measure any future mods in terms of how they affect boost.

I will be taking pictures today to actually show the 9 pounds of boost. If I can figure out how to put a video on-line, you can also hear what it sounds like with the K&N.

 

Hi outnumbered,

I was looking at my engine for pressure taps or factory ports where I could attach a boost gage, and I see vacuum lines on both sides of the blower.

I assumed from their presence that the EEC makes use of manifold pressure and/or blower boost, so I plugged into it and asked for manifold pressure - the response was "no data".

Do you know of anyone who plays around with the EEC interface?

From your high reading, I'm wondering where you tapped in to measure boost, and what you're using for reference pressure. (I'm guessing you put a "T" in a line somewhere and ran it to your sending unit,since you're using a digital gage, and that the sending unit references ambient by default.) I read somewhere on the internet that a Lightning puts out 8 lbs, and the HD puts out 4 - so aside from bad calibration, tapping in to the wrong place is a likely cause of a high reading.

Also, I'm wondering how difficult it was to install the pod on your pillar. Does it sit below the pillar grip? Did you screw it on over the existing pillar trim?

BTW - you have the best pic on the site.

 

Thanks Tennessee,

I am definitely not a mechanic, but I did see how the boost gauge was installed. On the driver side of the motor, there is a place for the vaccum line to be installed; there is a small rubber boot covering it. We simply plugged the hose onto that fitting. I am assuming that this plug was deignated for the boost gauge to begin with.

As far as the pod, the one that I got replaces the stock unit. I have one bolt holding it in place. I can take pictures if you would like.

 

Pictures would be great. I'd appreciate seeing the port you tapped into, the sending unit, and the full pillar (I presume the installer removed the hand grip from it.)

Thanks much!

 

Outnumbered--Thanks for the info... probably gonna try to install my pod and gauges this weekend. Please post the pics. What paint did you use to paint the pod? A buddy of mine that does body work is painting mine for free--he owes me a favor . He recommended that we prime it with something called 'Bulldog'??? that is made for plastic surfaces then paint it with black laquer?

 

Tennessee,

Here is a picture of the connector. If it's too small, check out my gallery. I will also get a picture of the pod shortly (on the gallery).

Slingshot, I did not paint my pod. I felt that the black that it came in matched the interior good enough. However, don't let your buddy paint it if you decide to go that route. If you go to the Ford dealership, the service guy can order you an $8 spray paint that is an exact match for your interior (this is what I did with my Roush). That is what I was going to do, but in my opinion, it is really hard to tell the difference between the unpainted pod and the interior.

 

How about this:

 

And just for you Tennessee

 

outnumbered:

Thanks for the pictures - just what I was looking for! I found the port right away! I put my buddy's mechanics' gage on it and went for a drive. My boost was regularly in the 7~7.5 lb range, and at one point it may have hit 8. (My buddy was bummin'! He's only getting 5~6 out of his Procharger. He's already talkin' about a pulley swap. BTW - he's driving an '86 Mustang.)

I'm in Colorado, and altitude may account for the difference between here and NC, but the concensus at my end is that it should not, because boost is a "gage pressure" reading.

I wonder how accurate a boost meter really is. That could account for you seeing 9 and me seeing 8 lb.

We also appreciate your comments on painting the pillar pod. (He's got a black one on his brown pillar.)

Thanks again!

 

Hi Everyone,

It is common to pick up .5-1.0 PSI more boost when you have reduced restriction in the air intake tract with some kind of intake kit, I.E., airbox elimination kit, as we commonly do in these Lightnings & blown Harleys.

Another common thing to do is to get a better blower belt on there, we use the Goodyear Gatorback belts, as they slip less on the pullies, and can pick up a bit more boost in that manner, especially if you up the boost with pulleys. The factory belts last well, but they don't have as good a grip on the pulleys as the Gatorback belts do. The Gatorback serpentine belt (not the blower belt, your regular serpentine belt that drives all other accessories) also quietens down the "belt shreaK" sound from the belt slipping a bit that a few of thes trucks exhibit during a full-throttle upshift.

You can also see a bit of variance from one vehicle to the next, typical production line variances, even sometimes in the WOT (wide-open throttle) upshift point, if one shifts 50 rpm higher, it'll make a tad more peak boost.

I wouldn't worry too terribly much about seeing 9 PSI with a good intake kit, or if you see anything in the 7.0-8.0 PSI level bone stock.

For anyone who wants to up the power of their '02 supercharged Harley model, we already have the parts available, including custom powertrain programming/tuning, to do that right away, from chips to pulleys to just about anything else. Many owners are happy stock, and so don't do modifications, and that's fine of course. Some of us like to lay the power on, and we can do anything from mild to wild on these trucks, so if anyone needs help increasing performance, feel free to give us a call.

Best of luck with your beautiful Harley models!