Gauges?

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Jul 1, 2003 | 10:18 AM

XstephenX

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Gauges?

I need to monitor my car better than I am now. Is there any advantage of electrical gauges over mechanical. And also is there any advantage to paying 200+ for an Apex guage vs. 30-40 for a splitfire guage(or autometer)? Any help would be good, or experience with different gauge brands.

Stephen

Jul 1, 2003 | 11:11 AM

teiva-boy

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Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 1,780

From: San Diego

Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm

There is nothing wrong with having a mechanical gauge depending on the application. You wouldn't want a oil pressure gauge that is mechanical. As you would have an actual oil line running into your car. What if you had a leak!

But having a mech. boost gauge is fine.

I've had Autometer gauges that I spent under $400 for a boost, EGT, probe, and A/F gauge. They served their purpose quite well. I have friends that use autometer with little to no problem. Currently, I now have Greddy Elec gauges that are larger and also have a peak/hold/warning feature. That was my biggest reason to go to a electronic version was for these particular features.

Do your shopping, and get what fits into your budget. www.gruppe-s.com always has some great pricing on gauges.

Jul 1, 2003 | 06:46 PM

Guerra

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Personally I like mech. gauges.
Elect. gauges from old audi & vw are very chip in my country. 5$ - gauge, 2$ for sensor
BUT
I use mech gauges for fuel pressure and for boost.
El. gauges tell me
1. oil pressure
2. oil temperature
3. air Temp IC input
4. air Temp IC output
5. oil Temp in GearBox near viscous coup.
6. brake support Temp
7. water Temp in radiator
8. water Temp in engine (the stock is rather crude, mine tells me exact Temp)
And some other parametrs.
DO NOT USE ELectric sensor for fuel pressure.

Jul 1, 2003 | 08:26 PM

XstephenX

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Yeah I second you on the stocks. I heard somewhere(probably on this board) that the gauges that come from the factory are non-linear in that the operating range is very stable because it is at the most non-linear part, and it only moves when you go drastically out of the op range. I think the only stock gauge I am going to keep paying attention to once I get new ones is the tach. I would assume that it should work just fine. But thanks for the input.

Stephen

Jul 1, 2003 | 08:36 PM

Imprezer

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Posts: 6,965

From: Alameda, CA, USA

Car Info: 02 Black Legacy GT

I recommend getting the Defi tripple 60mm pod with EGT, BOOST and FUEL Pressure and Defi Link Display to monitor your oil temp and pressure as well as the water temp.

Jul 2, 2003 | 09:18 AM

XstephenX

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Should I worry about AFC. I don't have many mods. Just uppipe, downpipe, catback exhaust. I have no boost controller or anything like that. I actually just got this car and read a really funny post about some guy running 18psi. I wanted to learn more about how my car works before I start adjusting engine settings. I know about carb'ed cars but not about injected so much. But I do plan on getting my car up to around 300-350whp before too long. But I think for the most part all the other engine vitals can be monitored with S-AFC or some equivalent. Is my reasoning okay here. If not please help me out.

Thanks
Stephen