Satin Slayer

OK, I've ordered the following gauges for the s/c(the s/c will be here in a week or two)...

-boost
-fuel pressure
-a/f ratio
-tranny temp

All gauges are full-sweep electrical ones from Autometer.

I've been reading up on the internet about Autometer and a lot of people are saying that they are very inaccurate and not worth the money...even though they are fairly inexpensive compared to other brands(ie. Defi).

So, should I stick with Autometer...even after reading all these negative reviews/feedback?

Or, should I consider other brands? With this being the case, what other brands are good?

Satin Slayer

I really like the Defi-Link Meter BF gauges

They're completely blacked out when the ignition is off and light up when the car is started.









Unfortunately, they only come in:
Turbo kPa(I guess this gauge cannot be used in conjunction with a s/c)
Oil Press. kPa
Fuel Press. kPa
Oil Temp. oC
Water Temp. oC
Exhaust Temp

scalbert

I would go with a mechanical boost gauge as it is significantly less expensive and just as good. The fuel pressure is fine as well as the transaxle temperature.

But I would forget about the A/F gauge unless you just want a flashing bar graph.

As for Autometer, I have been using them for years without complaint and are more than accurate enough for their intended use.

Satin Slayer

Ok, I'll go with the Autometer gauges...but only on your say so

Yeah, I'd like to go with 4 gauges. The reason being is that I'm going to do a custom fibreglass dash kit with the a/f gauge, f/p, and transmission temp just above the stereo. Of course the note pad tray will be removed to facilitate fitting the gauges in. Three gauges there will look a whole lot better than just two. My installer recommended that the boost gauge be placed closer near the stock gauge cluster or steering col...better line of sight so I can keep an eye on it while driving.

Which line of gauges from Autometer is the most accurate?

GOT PSI?

Al, I've used full Autometer gauges (liquid filled) on my s/c 5.0 & GN with no problems.

scalbert

If four gauges are to be used I would suggest dropping the A/F gauge and replacing it with an oil pressure gauge. That is much more useful.

All off their gauges are generally the same accuracy. They are analog needle gauges regardless of the measurement technology. Meaning that you can't really read them to the accuracy of which they are measuring. It is meant to give you an idea of the measured value at a glance.

Satin Slayer

OK, that being the case, then I'll go with the Defi gauges since they look so cool...heh heh

So, I'll have the fuel pressure and oil pressure gauges.

Since there isn't a tranny temp gauge in this line, would it be a good idea to use the oil or water temp gauge for it? My installer said it would be possible to hook up one of these gauges to measure the tranny temp since they are just temp gauges.




I did a search to find the operating range of the tranny temp...160 being the minimum operating temp and 240 being the maximum with anything above that resulting in tranny failure. Since fahrenheit or celcius was not posted, I assume it's in fahrenheit, correct? Since these gauges are in celcius, which one should I use? 160F = 70C and 240F = 116C. Logically, I should use the oil temp gauge since it gives me a higher range(50-150 as opposed to 20-120), correct?

Satin Slayer

The boost gauge that I have in mind has "turbo" on it and is in kPa units.



Is it possible to use this in conjunction with the s/c or should I use one that is in PSI units?


or


Actually, I think all these boost gauges are for turbo applications...I'm confused now...need help to clear this up

GOT PSI?

IMO, I would stick with a non-KPA unit unless you are use to converting BAR into psi's. I've used a 30psi boost gauge on my s/c 5.0 with no issues.

Satin Slayer

OK, that sounds good enough for me.

scalbert

You can but IMO, it doesn't look as good with the non-matching legends for the actual purpose. But it works nonetheless. They typically use the same sending units so the difference in media shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, it is in Fahrenheit.

scalbert

The turbo label to me isn't a big deal although I prefer it saying Boost if anything. The problem is that these are 2 Bar units and you will see at most 0.5 Bar Boost. Meaning you will be using very little range of the gauge. This makes it more is a novelty than a useful measurement. But then again, with a blower it is not like you are going to suddenly overboost.

ModAddict

I know how expensive the electronic gauges are, and for a few extra $$$ you can get a wideband o2 meter that will give you acurate A/F numbers. The display is not round, and will not match your other gauges, so looks are not part of the deal,... however IMO acurate A/F ratio is very important with a FI set-up.

http://techedge.com.au/

Type S Lady

Question? I'm assuming an VAFC would not give you all of the readings without having to have the gauges displayed? Is this correct? I too am getting my SC installed in a few weeks but would rather not go with a bunch of gauges, mainly because I don't want them to be seen. But wouldn't an VAFC show me the same readings? HELP!

scalbert

No, the VAFC would not display the needed parameters.

Just FYI, don't bother with the VAFC as it is worthless on a blown vehicle.

Satin Slayer

Looks like I may not be getting the gauges after all.

I'm looking into the HKS Camp now.

http://www.hksusa.com/categories/?id=1082

Instead of putting a whole bunch of gauges in the dash, I can have the gauge meters pop up on my Pioneer LCD...I might as well put the AVH-P7500DVD to use while I'm driving.

Satin Slayer

But, I'll only get it if it can measure fuel pressure, tranny temp, and oil pressure. Otherwise, I'll stick with the autometers.

scalbert

http://www.hksusa.com/categories/more.asp?id=1082

Analog Display – The analog display can indicate speed, RPM, gas mileage, fuel consumption and injector opening percentage. The CAMP includes peak data memorization and allows the scale to adjust according to current driving conditions.

Type S Lady

You just saved me $300 bucks. THANKS!!! Do I need any gauges or are the people with SC's getting them for looks? I only want to get what is absolutely necessary.

scalbert

Gauges are not nessesary especially for a modest kit like this. But sometimes it is nice to know what is going on with parameters which are not readily available.

97-3-pt-OH-C-el

were you in 6th gear? that Vancouver night scene video?

Satin Slayer

What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Off-topic forum where you belong?

You know...that place where you usually don't get any respect.

In this forum, you got to contribute. Since you don't go back to off-topic.

97-3-pt-OH-C-el

message boards arent where i look for the most respect you tool

Satin Slayer

Well, where do you get it? Obviously you don't get much of it in your real life.

97-3-pt-OH-C-el

haha yea. ok dude. i go to school and people call me a "n00bie".. much like here.

man, i wish i got respect

GOT PSI?

What grade are you in where you're still called a noob?

97-3-pt-OH-C-el

thats my point. real people dont say gay shit like that