I received a reply from Scott Hart at IPD. He admitted that it was a tight fit, but said that he had not received any customer feedback with problems similar to mine.

As I was replying to Scott's e-mail, I had an epiphany:

The current gauge has a range of 30" Hg to 15 PSI. The scale is symmetrical around the "0" reading, which is at 12 o'clock. In that configuration, the nipple is at 6 o'clock and is affected by the pod back wall, as I described.

However, some upcoming mods (Stage III???) may take me above 15 PSI boost, so I bought a 30" Hg to 25 PSI gauge from IPD, which is yet to be installed. That increased positive boost scaling drove the "0" reading to about 11 o'clock, with the nipple remaining at 6 o'clock.

From a visual ergonomics standpoint, I would prefer the "0" reading to be at 12 0'clock. In that way, with a quick glance I know if I am in positive or negative boost without actually having to read a number on the faceplate. I can place the "0" at 12 o'clock by simply rotating the gauge clockwise in the pod. Doing that will take the nipple to about 7 o'clock, which would buy me more clearance from the back wall of the pod.

OK, so the word "TURBO" will be slanted, but who cares.
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Dave in Virginia; 1998 V70 T5(M): IPD MOTRONIC+ ECU Upgrade, Sport Muffler, IPD Strut Tower Brace; VDO Boost Gauge, IPD Anti-Sway Bars, Rocha ABS Control Unit, Koni FDS Struts and Shocks/// 1988 245 DL Wagon// 1967 MGB Roadster