Gauge Pod Gauges

[Zap]

Greetings,

A long while back I discussed installing a gauge pod, but now I think I am finally ready to go ahead and do so. What would be the most useful gauges to install (total of 3 so far) and what type are best?

I am currently considering: Coolant Temp, Oil Pressure, Vacuum

And I was planning on using mechanical gauges, probably made by AutoMeter. I will need to know the best place to hook up and what to use to do so.

What is everyone currently using on their SHO and what is the rationale for your choices? If I'm going to fork over a bit of change for these gauges, I want them to be useful and interesting to watch! Also, what is the most reasonable place to purchase them when I make a decision? Finally, are any of the autometer gauges lit? Which ones match factory the closest?

 

[AutoSHO]

I went with Oil Pressure (most important), Water Temp (I'd rather say my car runs 180 degrees than "A"), and a voltmeter to keep an eye on the charging system. The Voltmeter has been the only one that was important thus far, as it warned my of a failing alternator and saved me from getting stranded.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I went with the same as Chris, though I may change out the volt meter for another oil pressure gauge for my Accusump. I would go with electric for the ease of install.

Sorry for the big pic...
http://hosting.superhighoutput.com/yamahasho/Gauges - Autometer.jpg

 

[AutoSHO]

I used VDO Cockpit White gauges, and have Ebay White Faces. Blue LEDs in the VDOs.

 

[Zap]

Is a full sweep (270 degrees, or whatever) a good thing to have vs the standard 90 degrees or so? I noticed that both of your gauge sets are NOT the full sweep. Are those worse to have, or just personal preference? Also, I am looking for opinions on mechanical vs electrical. I have been told that mechanical are more responsive and accurate, and that there are no real problems going mechanical, just that you have to run the tubing/senders.

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[AutoSHO]

I would much prefer to have full sweep gauges, but a full sweep electrical sender gauge is very hard to find and expensive. When they come down in price I will definately pick at least the oil pressure gauge up. I would much prefer to have the accuracy of a full sweep (and easier readability) but I refuse to pipe oil into the interior of my car.

 

[Bizzy]

Oil pressure, volt & trans temp here. While trans temp might be more useful in an ATX car, I'm still interested in seeing what the temp reaches on the track. I may swap it out for an air/fuel ratio, still uncertain at this point.

You guys really do need to start using smaller pics. While the size only affects the one thread now, dial up users still have a hard time viewing the total thread because the pic's files sizes are so large.

 

[SHO92]

I have the same as Jason and Chris. Electric also. I don't like the idea of running the oil and coolant lines into the cabins. If you are set on mechanical gauges, I would definitely recommend getthing the isolators for the gauges. They prevent the oil and hot coolant from coming into the cabin by using a special type of sender, I think it uses water or some other liquid that will not be hot to send the readings to the gauges, they are very expensive though. Also if you are planning on used an A-pillar pod, I think you might have a problem with getting the electrical wires, plus the fluid tubing to all fit behind the pillar cover. I made a harness for the lighting and use a common ground to reduce the total number of wires, and I still have a large bundle, I wouldn't want to have to deal with the extra tubing as well.

 

[Ferendon]

I want to do air/fuel, vacuum, and probably oil pressure. The Factory temp gauge is good for me so long I'm not too far above "MA". I was wondering though. Could I hook the vacuum gauge up to the secondaries, or the intake, somehow, so that I would know how much pressure is banging around in my intake, and I would like for it to rise as the secondaries open... I have no idea as to how a vacuum gauge hooks up, I'd assume with a check valve or some sorts. I apologize for the post jack...

 

[Zap]

FYI, from what I've been told you will be able to see when the secondaries open on the vacuum gauge, because it will drop off at that point. The vacuum gauge simply connects with a t piece into the vacuum hoses, and is also helpful for diagnosing other problems as well. As a matter of fact, a lot of older engine diagnosis before all the computerization could be done with a vacuum gauge.

 

[Ferendon]

So it's impossible for it to rise, as the secondaries open? I understand that a lack of vacuum leaves the secondaries open, so as they open pressure drops.... After a little thought that was a dumb question. I've used vacuum gauges and all that stuff. Many of my friends have old cars, and I myself have a 71 Impala, and 69 Polara. Just to name a couple.

 

[MilTownSHO]

56k friendly!

 

[Camarok]

Yes I rule with the radar detector!!!

 

[SHO2NV]

Here's the electrical gauges I bought:

What they look like in daylight:


What they look like at night:


Not too bad for $45 shipped......now just gotta install em.

 

[Electricat]

A few words about mechanical gauges:

Mech. coolant temp gauges do not run hot coolant into the cabin. They have a sealed sending unit that is screwed into one of the coolant lines, and is connected to the gauge by a capillary tube filled with some type of liquid (oil? water? beer?). Don't break the tube, or you get to buy a new gauge.

Mechanical oil pressure gauges do actually pipe oil into the cabin. DO NOT plumb it with the cheap plastic (leak-prone!!) tubing that comes with the gauge. Spend another $6-8 and buy a copper tubing kit for it, and install it carefully. A few extra dollars and a few extra minutes on install will likely prevent an ugly mess of 10W-30 in your interior later on!

BTW....guys who are afraid of hot coolant being piped into the cabin....what do you think runs through that heater core under the passenger side dash? JK, I understand your concern..

 

[MOSHO92]

Not too bad for $45 shipped....

Where did you get them for this price? They look nice!

 

[Bryan C. King]

Here's the electrical gauges I bought:

What they look like in daylight:


What they look like at night:


Not too bad for $45 shipped......now just gotta install em.

Not bad looking gauges, where did you get them?

 

[yamahaSHO]

BTW....guys who are afraid of hot coolant being piped into the cabin....what do you think runs through that heater core under the passenger side dash? JK, I understand your concern..

And guess what will leak with time?

I would not run coolant into a cabin for a gauge as the temp would be highly inaccurate. Gotta measure it at the motor.

 

[MichaelH]

Choices, choices. I have Autometer on both cars. On my ATX, I have Volts, Oil pressure (mechanical), and Tranny temp (electrical). On my MTX, Volts, Water (electrical), Oil pressure (electrical). My MTX has ZEX NOS, so I also have a separate A/F strapped around the steering column.

 

[Bizzy]

I'd agree with the measuring coolant temps at the motor. But from what I understand about the mechanical temp gauges, the sender part has a fluid in them that is non flamable, and basically as the temperature increases the pressure in the line that goes to the gauge increases, which then displays the temps. In this way the temp is measured at the motor and that is transmitted accurately to the gauge where ever it is mounted.

I have my oil pressure gauge plumbed with copper into the cabin, I never gave it a 2nd thought about leaks. The whole concern over oil spewing all over the place in ones car is bogus, by the time it broke or leaked, you'd see it in the gauge and like any good car owner you'd stop the car. Has anyone ever looks at how small the hole is in capilary tubing? Would take a day of running to pump out even a quart. Also the cap tubing is filled with air not oill, unless you don't know how to do the compression fittings upon install.

I'm redoing my oil pressure gauge with braided SS lines cause I want to see all the little pulsations from the engine in the oil pressure Plus mocing the oil pressure gauge to right infront of the speedo will be better than having it on the pillar.

I'll be adding an electric gauge though for temps, by I'll be wiring in a switch and 2-3 senders, Oil temp, water temp, and possibly intake air temp or tranny fluid temp. Thats the only real benifit I can see with electrical gauges, other than the ones that Autometer sells that are self re-calibrating.

Most important I'd say are, Oil pressure, Volts, and then either Vacuum or Coolant temp. I like Vacuum myself, nice big full sweep gauge that moves around from 16" to 0" alot when I'm driving