Which 3-bar map?

[Vigo]

Hey guys, im a big kid now and need a 3-bar map sensor for my 88 Lancer Shelby.

What's the cheapest or best way to get one? On a whim i looked up turbo 2.4 map sensors on Rockauto and they are $13 but don't look like the easiest solution.

I should already know the answer to this question, but ive actually never run a 3-bar setup!

[turbodaytona87]

Hey guys, im a big kid now and need a 3-bar map sensor for my 88 Lancer Shelby.

What's the cheapest or best way to get one? On a whim i looked up turbo 2.4 map sensors on Rockauto and they are $13 but don't look like the easiest solution.

I should already know the answer to this question, but ive actually never run a 3-bar setup!

I used a GM 3-bar MAP. The connector has to be modified however, there are keyways in the sensor that don't match our plug. I just cut slots in my connector. I just zip tied the connector to the Daytona bracket

[Vigo]

What car should i look up that map sensor for?

[Johnny]

Our td venders sell them.

[csxtra]

Beware of some of the MAP sensors on ebay, some of them use sensors that go from .5 to 5V instead of 0-5v like our computers are looking for, so the cal's will think there is less vacuum/more boost than there actually is.

I recently bought a cheapo 4-bar GM MAP sensor from Ebay ($39 for a 4-bar was too cheap to pass up), and when I tested it, it read .3v too high with the barb open to atmosphere, with the error increasing in vacuum, and diminishing as boost increased. Since I only plan on using it to test pre-intercooler pressure, it will work fine for my needs, but I wouldn't try to run my engine off of it. Brad Morris bought one also (a 3-bar), and the output voltage range on his was off (.5-5v) also.

The Omni Power 3 and 4-bar MAPs have been proven to work well (with the correct output voltage range), but they are closer to $100.

[jonnymopar]

I used a GM 3-bar MAP. The connector has to be modified however, there are keyways in the sensor that don't match our plug. I just cut slots in my connector. I just zip tied the connector to the Daytona bracket

Absolutely spot on what I did. Still works perfect after 37k miles. I made the mistake of buying the plug, thinking that ours didn't fit. Got my MAP sensor from Cindy.

[Rrider]

Is old stock preferable to the newly made stuff? Or does it not matter?

[csxtra]

Is old stock preferable to the newly made stuff? Or does it not matter?

Aside from the cheap sensors mentioned above, I have never had any problems that were caused by either old or new MAP sensors, so I would say that it doesn't matter.

[fixit]

i use the dodge caliber srt4 3 BAR MAP ~$25 from the dealership
https://www.modernperformance.com/pr...ebuild_sensors

[Vigo]

I am looking at some GM 3-bar maps in the $40 range. I like the idea of the $13 SRT4 map sensors on Rockauto but it seems like if i have to buy a pigtail i'm right up there close to $40 again, and with more work?

[A.J.]

The cheapest 3 bar map sensor is going to be for the Caliber from the dealer. You need to add a fitting on the pneumatic end (I cut threads on it with a die and then installed a brass fitting) and you'll need a plug. You can get them off an Intrepid from the junk yard or order one. I've done both. After the brass fitting and buying the plug from the dealer, the cost will be about the same as a GM sensor, but those are one time purchases. After that, if you ever have to replace the sensor it'll be cheap. I run one on my SRT-4 van and my Dad's '85 2.5 T&C wagon.

My Van:


My Dad's wagon:

[bgbmxer]

The cheapest 3 bar map sensor is going to be for the Caliber from the dealer. You need to add a fitting on the pneumatic end (I cut threads on it with a die and then installed a brass fitting) and you'll need a plug. You can get them off an Intrepid from the junk yard or order one. I've done both. After the brass fitting and buying the plug from the dealer, the cost will be about the same as a GM sensor, but those are one time purchases. After that, if you ever have to replace the sensor it'll be cheap. I run one on my SRT-4 van and my Dad's '85 2.5 T&C wagon.

caliber srt just to clarify for the sensor? And the plug can be gotten off an intrepid?

[cordes]

Get a freescale sensor and install it into a two bar case. Should be less than $20 after everything is done.

[bgbmxer]

Never heard of it

[cordes]

Never heard of it

They're a company that makes the tiny sensors which go into the cases for the manufacturers. It's some small soldering, but worth it IMO.

[A.J.]

caliber srt just to clarify for the sensor? And the plug can be gotten off an intrepid?

Yes and yes. I'm sure other vehicles have that plug. I don't know what years. Your best bet is to get the sensor for an SRT Caliber, and take it with you to the junk yard so if they don't have any Intrepids you can try Chargers, 300's or mini-vans. I'm talking in the 2000's some time. They're not going to be on the late 90's cars.

[wheming]

Let me guess...
Is this one of the crappy ones or good ones?
Purchased from amazon I think.

[ShelGame]

Beware of some of the MAP sensors on ebay, some of them use sensors that go from .5 to 5V instead of 0-5v like our computers are looking for, so the cal's will think there is less vacuum/more boost than there actually is.

I recently bought a cheapo 4-bar GM MAP sensor from Ebay ($39 for a 4-bar was too cheap to pass up), and when I tested it, it read .3v too high with the barb open to atmosphere, with the error increasing in vacuum, and diminishing as boost increased. Since I only plan on using it to test pre-intercooler pressure, it will work fine for my needs, but I wouldn't try to run my engine off of it. Brad Morris bought one also (a 3-bar), and the output voltage range on his was off (.5-5v) also.

The Omni Power 3 and 4-bar MAPs have been proven to work well (with the correct output voltage range), but they are closer to $100.

Thanks for the detail led info, Warren.

I had a vendor that I was getting good 3BAR maps from, and then the last batch went bad. I didn't even try to figure it out (no time), I just dropped selling them until I could find a better source.

If the cheap Chinese MAPs are just shifted a little, its still possible to set a cal up for them. The transfer function just needs to be corrected.

If you have detailed MAP vs Volts measurements, I can make the transfer function...

[zin]

Is the caliber srt sensor a true 3-bar? I was thinking they were 2.5bar, as I had heard of the Neon SRT.

Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Is the caliber srt sensor a true 3-bar? I was thinking they were 2.5bar, as I had heard of the Neon SRT.

Mike

[csxtra]

Thanks for the detail led info, Warren.

You're welcome Rob. I first became aware of this because Brad Morris was seeing a goofy baro reading on the 3-bar map he bought from Ebay (which he returned), and when I bought my cheap 4-bar sensor, I wanted to verify that it was correct, so I tested it to see if I could use it as a spare in case my Omnipower 4-bar MAP sensor took a dump on me.

If the cheap Chinese MAPs are just shifted a little, its still possible to set a cal up for them. The transfer function just needs to be corrected.

If you have detailed MAP vs Volts measurements, I can make the transfer function...

I figured that the transfer function could be modified, and from the detailed measurements I took on my 4-bar sensor (pressure only, no vacuum), combined with the spec sheet from the Ebay vendor, it appears that their sensors put out .5v at absolute vacuum (-14.5psiG or 0 psiA) and 5V at the rated Bar pressure (29.4psiG for 3-bar and 43.5psiG for 4-bar). So it looks like the output range is compressed from 5V to 4.5V (losing about 10% resolution), and offset by +.5V.

Hope this helps,
Warren