Noob boost q

[PilotScott]

Hey Pontiac Bonneville Club, sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I have a question on the S/C: what does/is the boost gauge supposed to show at idle? The owner's manual says zero (centered) but at idle I sit roughly -8 and only on heavy acceleration does it ever show positive. This is my first non-N/A Bonnie and it feels the same, no more power than my last two. Am I just dumb or is something off?

[96 SSEi]

HI, it appears your boost is correct - negative value for vacuum at idle and positive value as rpm rises spinning the blower faster thereby increasing boost

[PilotScott]

Seemed right to me, but the wording in the manual threw me off, and the positive-at-only-heavy-accel didn't help. Thanks!!

[nos4blood70]

Should be at zero with key on, engine off. At idle, motor should be at vacuum, hence the -8 or whatever you're seeing.

[PilotScott]

I'll check that when I run back out in engine-off, but earlier I watched the gauge and at 50 mph and ~2600 RPM the gauge was just barely hanging at "0." Just seems odd to me.

[redfury]

Depends partly on your elevation as well.

[PilotScott]

Chicago, so ~750 ft