Tuning and Guage Questions, 3sgte parts accumulation in progress Options

[jgreening]

Ok guys, I have bought my clip, intercooler, clutch and other miscellaneous parts for the 3sgte swap. Now I am in the process of picking out other parts including guages and possibly other electronics. For now, I do not plan to run boost over 12 p.s.i. to avoid fuel cut. Here are some questions - all responses are appreciated:

1. Which guages to buy. There are several threads on this and I have read them but I am still uncertain about some issues. Assuming I am limiting myself to three guages, most agree that boost and oil pressure are important. As for the last guage, I am deciding between an EGT and and A/F guage. Some posts indicate that the A/F guage is worthless without a wideband O2 sensor. However, I have read that running lean is a major cause of detonation that must be avoided. So, will the temperature reading from an EGT help me know when this is occuring? Also, if the wideband O2 sensor is necessary for the A/F guage readings to be helpful, would installing an A/F guage with the wideband sensor be a good idea to address the issue? Or, is some electronic fuel management system necessary? I would appreciate some commentary on this.

2. What are the "danger points" of the oil pressure, A/F, and EGT guages that we should avoid? Also, how do we avoid them? If the guages indicate that oil pressure is too high, A/F is too lean or EGT is too high, is it just a matter of slowing down and not pushing the car as hard? Or, will additional tuning be necessary?

3. Boost controllers. I have read from the 3sgte power primer that if one were to buy a MBC, one should obtain a ball and spring type. My question is can the MBC simply be set at 11.5 or 12 and then the car run like that all the time? Or is it better for longevity or other reasons that boost over stock is limited to periodic uses? In other words, is it important to have an EBC? What are the advantages to spending the extra money?

4. Reading material. I would be interested in good sources to read up on these and other turbo / tuning issues if anyone has any.

Thanks again for your help.

Jay.

[Supersprynt]

I also have the Apexi TT...it doesnt hurt to have the A/F ratio hooked up, just so you know what ur running. And its conveniently small, doesnt take up alot of room and isnt super noticeable.

I have a MBC, its "dual ball and spring." Its a Joe P, i've heard not one bad thing about these controllers and they're only $40, so I dont see how u can lose. As a daily driver I'll be boosting 11 because if creep or spike does occur, I rather not be real close to stock fuel cut.

Start going Alltrac.net. Read the "Easy Mods" section, and start goin through the old posts. Its a site dedicated to the 3SGTE, alot of knowledgable ppl there also.