MAP sensor question...

[CALL911]

From what I have gathered, a 2 bar map sensor would be fine up to about 14.7#'s of boost, then a 3 bar would be required.

I would barely see 15#'s of boost on a very cold day on ideal conditions on my previous setup. Most of the time I would see about 13#'s of boost. I am now in the process of going with larger heads (AFR 227's over my previous AFR 180's), so I am guessing I'll see even less boost.


I am still leaning towards a 3 bar, even though it sounds like the 2 bar would probably be fine.


Any thoughts on this?

[JCzNova]

Personally I would rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. Seems like you are right on that line, so it wouldn't be much of an overkill if any.

[CALL911]

That's kind of my thinking as well. The only thing really holding me back from just getting the 3 bar is that I know I'll have another $100+ in tuning the 3 bar, when I may be good with a 2 bar, maybe its not really worth it when it comes down to it.

But, the tuner did say that he reccomended the 3 bar, and I don't think he said that just because he wanted more tuning money, but because he really believed it would be better to really dial it in 100%.

[firebird_1995]

Id really like to know why that is.

[CALL911]

I'm still researching, so perhaps I'm not the best person to ask. But I do have faith in my tuner Mike Norris, and if he reccomended the 3 bar for my setup, that's what I'm going to go with (just made the order).

What I do know so far is that our LT1 cars came with a 1 bar map sensor, and a 1 bar is good for any N/A application. A 2 bar is good for 14.7#'s of boost or less, and a 3 bar map sensor is good for boost beyond 14.7#'s of boost. I would only assume that a 3 bar can also be used in a boosted car of less than 14.7#'s of boost as well.

As far as the details of the difference between the 2 and the 3 bar besides their respective boost, I would also like to know.

[CALL911]

Okay, after further research it seems the only difference between the 2 bar and the 3 bar is the resolution via how much boost they can read. So, its not that a 3 bar reads more data over the 2 bar, but that a 2 bar cannot sense the data beyond 14.7#'s of boost, where a 3 bar can.

So, really you should base it purely on how much boost you are going to run. I can't get a quick response from my tuner, but I am guessing he wanted me to go with a 3 bar purely based upon the possibility that I may see more than 14.7#'s of boost. Although realistically I don't think I will see that much, and that I'll more likely see about 12#'s of boost.

[CALL911]

FUCK

Well, Mike just got back with me. Apparently the 3 bar needs a few seperate things to work, and he feels I would be better with a 2 bar (sigh). Looks like I'll try to cancel my order and get a 2 bar map sensor coming.

[JCzNova]

FUCK

Well, Mike just got back with me. Apparently the 3 bar needs a few seperate things to work, and he feels I would be better with a 2 bar (sigh). Looks like I'll try to cancel my order and get a 2 bar map sensor coming.

If its not one thing it's another. I am beyond ready for dyno day on this beast!

[CALL911]

Thanks Jeremy. I am ready as well! I'm looking forward to wrenching tomorrow with Sean and getting it closer to being put back together.

I just ordered the 2 bar map sensor. I should have it mid week.

[Fastbird]

FUCK

Well, Mike just got back with me. Apparently the 3 bar needs a few seperate things to work, and he feels I would be better with a 2 bar (sigh). Looks like I'll try to cancel my order and get a 2 bar map sensor coming.

Any chance of a 2.5 bar? I say this because a 2 bar is only good to 14.7 psi and you could eclipse that up high.

Posted from my Rooted and ICS'd Rezound

[CALL911]

I have seen the 2.5 map sensors as well. Mike recommended the 2 bar, so that's what I bought (I'm gonna be pissed if I need to buy a 2.5, after I bought the 3, and the 2).

But realistically, the car with its old combo only hit 15#'s of boost about 3 times ever. Once on the dyno in Maryland with no air filter, and a couple times when it was uber-cold outside. On any regular day it would see 13#'s of boost, (and this is spinning it to 7,000 RPM). I can't see how the bigger heads would allow MORE boost, or honestly even the same boost. I think I should be fine.