Monitor boost on Whipple Supercharger

SierraStorm21 · January 28

Was looking for a gauge to monitor the boost of my newly installed Whipple Supercharger and and while there seems to be a plethora of analog and digital gauges for that specific item, I was kind of looking for something different and came across the Edge CTS 3. I've had previous experience with Edge way back in 2008 with my Chev Duramax and it was mostly positive. However I'm wondering if anyone knows if this can accurately monitor boost and does it do it through the ODB2 port or require a special sensor to be ran. Information seems to be rather scarce around the boost monitor of this unit.

Wondering if it's worth my time or just stick with a simpler gauge and pillar mount accessory

Vincej138 · January 28

Not supercharged, but my Banks iDash monitors boost of the turbo though the ecm among every other sensor GM put. Then you can add other in-line ones from banks if you want. It also gives me ambient. Intake and manifold air density which should help in your application also. Looks factory with their pillar mount and paint match

SierraStorm21 · January 28

I like the look of that. Kind of between the Edge CTS3 and AeroForce which has been recommended as well. Visiting their site however, makes me question what they can monitor. When clicking the link for GM PIDS, it's all around the Turbo engines 3.0L/6.6L and gas engines. Guess I may have to call them alongside Edge and AeroForce

Aeroforce appears similar to the Banks and they even offer a mount that bolts directly to the grab handle on my truck which is a nice touch. Appears Edge offers similar mounting. As does Banks

silveradosid · January 29

no listing for the 2.7 turbo either

Vincej138 · January 29

20 hours ago, Mstorm18 said:

I like the look of that. Kind of between the Edge CTS3 and AeroForce which has been recommended as well. Visiting their site however, makes me question what they can monitor. When clicking the link for GM PIDS, it's all around the Turbo engines 3.0L/6.6L and gas engines. Guess I may have to call them alongside Edge and AeroForce

Aeroforce appears similar to the Banks and they even offer a mount that bolts directly to the grab handle on my truck which is a nice touch. Appears Edge offers similar mounting. As does Banks

When setting it up, there are a few motor selections. I believe I saw the 6.2 in there. But they also have a map for just standard GM which is what is working well with my 2.7L. Definately gives me all boost, temps, pressures and density from the intake into manifold, and then some cat temps and internal engine monitors, fuel pressure etc... No oil temp which is the one weird thing. Gives HP and TQ based on the ECU calculation in real time also. It plugs into the OBD port as well and can read codes if needed. I did a Pedal Monster with it, so it made sense for me to go with the iDash and have it all in one.

If there is a specific data point your wondering, i can check mine to confirm if there is a monitor. Pretty much is GM put a sensor in there, it can read it. Plus can add more

Edited January 29 by Vincej138

SierraStorm21 · January 29

2 hours ago, Vincej138 said:

When setting it up, there are a few motor selections. I believe I saw the 6.2 in there. But they also have a map for just standard GM which is what is working well with my 2.7L. Definately gives me all boost, temps, pressures and density from the intake into manifold, and then some cat temps and internal engine monitors, fuel pressure etc... No oil temp which is the one weird thing. Gives HP and TQ based on the ECU calculation in real time also. It plugs into the OBD port as well and can read codes if needed. I did a Pedal Monster with it, so it made sense for me to go with the iDash and have it all in one.

If there is a specific data point your wondering, i can check mine to confirm if there is a monitor. Pretty much is GM put a sensor in there, it can read it. Plus can add more

I'm not sure what I'm most interested in aside from boost, but if I find something I'll make sure to ping you. Thanks

SierraStorm21 · January 29

So I emailed AeroForce and called both Banks and Edge this morning.

Banks says no, it's not going to give you an accurate reading because it's reading what the ECM is giving you which is a calculated measurement, not real value. It'd cost another $400 to get the actual boost numbers with some add on kit

Edge didn't seem to know and all they could tell me is it's showing what the ECM is showing. That the PIDs presented differ from truck to truck...where's my eye rolling emoji

AeroForce states "I believe the Sierra V8 is like the Camaro and Corvette V8’s when it comes to replacing the MAP sensor with a higher range. The tune rescales the MAP output and thus the OBD2 data is rescaled. Our gauge reads this rescaled data and displays accurate boost"

Talking with the shop that did my truck. He said it's really measured in kPa and pointed me to a Holley calculation form. Said that most of these OBD2 ones won't give accurate readings.

At this point, I think I'm thoroughly confused. How can three different companies give three different answer yet all of them are getting the information from the same source?

Edited January 29 by Mstorm18

TurboTime · January 30

10 hours ago, Mstorm18 said:

So I emailed AeroForce and called both Banks and Edge this morning.

Banks says no, it's not going to give you an accurate reading because it's reading what the ECM is giving you which is a calculated measurement, not real value. It'd cost another $400 to get the actual boost numbers with some add on kit

Edge didn't seem to know and all they could tell me is it's showing what the ECM is showing. That the PIDs presented differ from truck to truck...where's my eye rolling emoji

AeroForce states "I believe the Sierra V8 is like the Camaro and Corvette V8’s when it comes to replacing the MAP sensor with a higher range. The tune rescales the MAP output and thus the OBD2 data is rescaled. Our gauge reads this rescaled data and displays accurate boost"

Talking with the shop that did my truck. He said it's really measured in kPa and pointed me to a Holley calculation form. Said that most of these OBD2 ones won't give accurate readings.

At this point, I think I'm thoroughly confused. How can three different companies give three different answer yet all of them are getting the information from the same source?

Jay from Banks here. I think all three companies are saying the same thing... We're all displaying what the ECM broadcasts. I think the guy at Aeroforce is confused. If all they're plugged into is the OBD port, then all their gauge will display is what the ECM broadcasts, which is a calculated value, which one of our techs explained during your phone call. Now, this is the first time we've said this anywhere... but we have a new iDash coming this summer that will have four analog inputs included. You'll simply plug up to four external sensors into the back of the iDash, tell the iDash what the sensor is, and it'll display the data. These four inputs will eliminate the need for an external/intermediate module. The only caveat is that you'll have to wait a few months for it.

SierraStorm21 · January 30

9 hours ago, TurboTime said:

Jay from Banks here. I think all three companies are saying the same thing... We're all displaying what the ECM broadcasts. I think the guy at Aeroforce is confused. If all they're plugged into is the OBD port, then all their gauge will display is what the ECM broadcasts, which is a calculated value, which one of our techs explained during your phone call. Now, this is the first time we've said this anywhere... but we have a new iDash coming this summer that will have four analog inputs included. You'll simply plug up to four external sensors into the back of the iDash, tell the iDash what the sensor is, and it'll display the data. These four inputs will eliminate the need for an external/intermediate module. The only caveat is that you'll have to wait a few months for it.

Yeah I concluded as much, but thanks for the clarification Jay and the additional info on the new forthcoming module. I'm in no hurry to acquire something, so I may do that. Thanks!

kodiakdenali · February 28

On 1/29/2024 at 9:32 PM, TurboTime said:

Jay from Banks here. I think all three companies are saying the same thing... We're all displaying what the ECM broadcasts. I think the guy at Aeroforce is confused. If all they're plugged into is the OBD port, then all their gauge will display is what the ECM broadcasts, which is a calculated value, which one of our techs explained during your phone call. Now, this is the first time we've said this anywhere... but we have a new iDash coming this summer that will have four analog inputs included. You'll simply plug up to four external sensors into the back of the iDash, tell the iDash what the sensor is, and it'll display the data. These four inputs will eliminate the need for an external/intermediate module. The only caveat is that you'll have to wait a few months for it.

Awesome news! I have the pedal monster with an idash and I love the setup, I have been thinking about adding a second idash to the second port to show me more of what’s going on, I should wait until summer to decide!

It may not be what you’re looking for at all Mstorm, but on my Whipple I added a stand alone gauge to show boost. I wanted real analog anyway, its just more fun to me! There are ports right on the S/C and that way I’m getting an accurate real time reading.

kodiakdenali · February 28

In case it helps anyone I have a single gauge pod on thingiverse specifically for putting an iDash gauge into a T1 Silverado or Sierra. You can see it in action on my youtube channel.

Here is the model

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5430783