Pabs Platinum Grey mk4 Ibiza Cupra - Stage1 OEM++

[Pabs]

Well the gauges turned up today, so I've spent an hour or so getting them fitted into my single DIN mounting plate. I also acquired a couple of push switches, and I've got a few components on order to make the wiring harness.

Basically, I'm attempting to do this on the cheap - these gauges are £130 each new, and with the bargain price I picked the gauges for, if I spend a few quid here and there on components and sensors I should be able to get these 2 working for a lot less
That is, of course, if I manage to get the RIGHT components and sensors! lol

For the harnesses, I'm using 2 x ATX motherboard connectors cut in half, and using the first half of each connector for the 2 harnesses. (Due to "polarity" pins on the connectors, it is not possible to use the 2 halves of 1 connector) I've got some in-line fuses as required on the power connections to both gauges, and using the recommended 250mA fuses.

With regards to sensors, it was cheaper to purchase a whole boost gauge from ebay, and just use the sensors, than it was to buy the sensor itself from SPA. Of course, this isn't tested yet, but I hope it works! (The new sensor is capable of the range required on the gauge, so fingers crossed!)

Apologies for the photo quality of the 2nd pic - it's from my iPhone as it was all I had to hand in the garage!

 

[Damoegan]

I was meant to chuck in a couple of inline fuses for you Paul, as I have some just sitting doing nothing, but for got to

 

[Pabs]

No worries Damo - they're only pennies anyway!

I've done a few tests with my basic wiring tonight and I've got them tested ok - at least the gauges work! They do the intro-type thing that Defi do, and I can access the menu systems on both gauges, so all is good there! I just used a 12v mains adapter I had for something else - had a few worries at first as the gauge went nuts, but found out the PSU wasn't giving enough power, so found another one and got it sorted.

At least it means I can save £70 on wiring harnesses now - just waiting for the sensors to arrive and if they work, then that's another £70 saved!

I think all-in-all, total cost will be £65-70 for the two gauges, working and installed, and I will also have a spare ebay gauge that I may get a few quid back for!

 

[Pabs]

Well been quite busy tonight and forgot to mention that I've also now changed my aerial from the C2 stubby to the Honda S2000/Civic stubby which is 3 or 4 times longer. Reception is definately improved, but whether or not it's good enough for me, only time will tell.

 

[Damoegan]

No worries Damo - they're only pennies anyway!

I've done a few tests with my basic wiring tonight and I've got them tested ok - at least the gauges work! They do the intro-type thing that Defi do, and I can access the menu systems on both gauges, so all is good there! I just used a 12v mains adapter I had for something else - had a few worries at first as the gauge went nuts, but found out the PSU wasn't giving enough power, so found another one and got it sorted.

At least it means I can save £70 on wiring harnesses now - just waiting for the sensors to arrive and if they work, then that's another £70 saved!

I think all-in-all, total cost will be £65-70 for the two gauges, working and installed, and I will also have a spare ebay gauge that I may get a few quid back for!

Great work, Paul

Thats exactly what I was thinking of doing but as I already had the ProSoprt gauges I just chucked those in

 

[Pabs]

Today I received my spare boost gauge kit and temperature sensor, so all I'm awaiting now is the last few components for the wiring harness.

I did however, get chance to perform a quick test by hooking up the boost sensor (from the kit) to the SPA gauge, and after the beginning intro sequence, the gauge needle moved to 0 as expected, so that is a very positive outcome! Without the sensor, the gauge sits at -15psi, so it looks like the sensor is outputting the correct voltage I've also found a location for the sensor in the engine bay, cut the tubing to length, and fitted the filter, sensor and t-piece all ready for installation.

I attempted to test the temp. sensor on the oil gauge, but couldn't get that to pass 0. I think this is either a wiring problem (I assume the temp sensor has a ground connection and a signal wire, but could be wrong here) or perhaps just too tricky to get the sensor to register a hot temperature. May just have to "suck-it-and-see"!

All I need to do now is make the wiring harnesses and run 5 cables into the engine bay, 3 for the boost sensor, and 2 for the temperature sensor.

 

[Damoegan]

Top work, Paul. And yes, the temp sensor needs a ground and a signal wire

 

[Pabs]

Well the last few bits arrived today, so I've spent most of the evening making up the wiring harnesses
I've got them almost completed - the last step for me now is to measure the length required to run to the sensor locations under the bonnet, cut the cable, crimp/solder the ends and then install!

May have time to do some work on it tomorrow night, but don't expect me to get it finished until some time next week.

 

[Pabs]

Oh, and I'm not looking forward to trying to fit the oil temp sensor.... I don't think I can get to it!

 

[Hartosh1]

I think you have to remove the sai in order to get to it mate

 

[Pabs]

Well I've done a load more to the gauge install today, am knackered so have given up for now.

Both gauges are installed into the dash and fully cabled bar the oil temp sensor which I still haven't managed to figure out how to install yet. Looked at removing the SAI temporarily, but 2 of the bolts holding it on are done up SO tight and I haven't got an allen key the right length to be able to get to them and get enough leverage to undo.

The boost gauge is fully plumbed in which is great, BUT, and the big but, is that I don't think it likes the different sensor After a few teething problems where I couldn't get the needle to move at all, I eventually figured out I had to change a setting in the menu. Basically, it looks like it over-reads - when I use mid/full throttle apparently I'm boosting over 35psi (which obviously isn't correct) but vac reads ok.

Here's my theory: This sensor came from a gauge of same scale, which would have been fine. However, SPA supply a pressure sensor that reads from -1bar/14.7psi up to 16bar/232psi. (God knows why so high) I figure that the voltage output from the sensor is much more granular, ie - the max 5v output would be at 232psi, so perhaps the gauge expects a much lower voltage for my scale. My sensor probably outputs 5v, so the gauge assumes higher pressure is being seen.

So all in all, progress, but not all good.
Also found I have a slow puncture in a rear tyre, so need to get that sorted. Suspect this all puts the remap and exhaust on hold!

 

[Pabs]

Well FINALLY I've managed to finish 1 of the gauges
The boost gauge is now installed and working - had to spend £££ on the right sensor in the end, but it's done and dusted now!

I've just got to get hold of a sandwhich plate for the oil temp sensor that i have sitting here, because I've given up trying to get the blanking plug off - attempted to remove the SAI temporarily and just can't get one of the bolts undone - snapped 2 allen keys trying to undo it - used loads of wd40 and other fluids to help loosen it, but no joy.

I've got car insurance due this month (it's gone up £70 since last year, and nothing has changed!) and then huge service/cambelt change and then a new stage 1 remap to get installed. Expensive times, which is why I've decided NOT to go for stage 2 and exhaust - I just cannot justify spending £800 on an exhaust and then a little more on the map to gain a few bhp.

I'll be a happy chappy once the above is all done though - love the car and STILL only got 43k on the clock

 

[Damoegan]

Nice work dude, we need pics

Best thing to do is look for a second hand exhaust like I did. I ended up getting a full Miltek system for £300

 

[Hartosh1]

Good news on the gauges Pabs, shame about not going stage2 but i can understand where your coming from £800 is alot on an exhaust. I never had a stage1 map on my car so i dont know what the difference is like from stage1 to stage2.

 

[Luap]

Pabs...

Loving the gauge install... Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to do in mine...

Any chance of a shopping list for the DIN gauges?

Am not afraid of a bit of electronics or wiring!

Cheers,

Luap

 

[Pabs]

It sounds like I'm getting old, but I kinda figure that these days there are more important things to spend money on other than my car. So long as I can fix all the niggles, I'll be happy. Then perhaps I can get some savings under my belt It also helps that I got a promotion and pay-rise this week, so that'll ease the strain on the wallet!

Luap, I can't say I'd thought about a shopping list really. All you need is a DIN blanking plate (Autoleads do them for about £7) and then cut your own holes in, depending on how many gauges of course. Failing that, you can get pre-drilled ones on ebay in various different options.
Then all you need is the gauges themselves - they'll come complete (in 99% of cases) so you won't need to buy anything else - just attach to the cables and job's a goodun!

I'll get some daytime pics eventually - but suspect I'll get the oil temp gauge fixed first. Think I'm going to get a sandwich plate for the sensor to save hassle, and can get the garage to fit it when it goes in for a service next month.

 

[Pabs]

Well, my wallet took a bashing @ JKM today, but it looks like it's going to be worth every single penny

The Ibiza has today had a new cambelt and water pump fitted (metal impellar), and a full/major service including everything except my cone filter.

The squeeking suspension was found to be the front spring sitting/rubbing on the top-mount bearing, so bearing was replaced and problem solved.

The GIAC remap is also no more! Revo has been installed, and the boost problem SOLVED! No more crazy boost pattern, surging, fluctuating or whatever you want to call it. Initial impressions are that the Revo code is SOOO much smoother and progressive in comparison, the GIAC map was more agressive (and potentially a little bit better on the figures produced) but I am so much happier with a map that is running the way I want it to. It feels just as quick, and is set up T7 B6 with apparently no more than occasional 3's on the CFs when logged.

Only 1 downside to report - Sandwich plates for oil sensors do NOT fit the Cupra I thought this may have been the case when I looked in the engine bay, there just isn't enough room between the filter and the fan housing. This means that to get my oil temp gauge working, I have no choice but to try and get to the blanking plug on the engine, but so far my best efforts have not managed to access it.

Overall, very happy I've got this all sorted! Next month I'll be back @ JKM for my MOT, and soon enough I'm going to need 2 new front tyres to replace the awful/noisy Yoko's.

 

[Damoegan]

Told you it was down to the map, Paul

Glad its sorted now though mate

 

[Pabs]

Yeah, many different views, but at least the root cause has been found!

Now I just need some skills like you to get to the damn sensor blank so I can get my last gauge working! lol

 

[Damoegan]

lol

IIRC it only took me 30 mins (lunch break at work) to remove my SAI.. 3 bolts, a few hoses then the combi valve..

Shame you are so far away mate or I could of done it for you. Are you not close to m0rk? I'm sure he could do it quickly enough for you.