Best guages?

[Adam Connell]

Hello,
Well, Im starting to modify my car. I would like a water temp, oil temp, and a boost guage, and possibly a tach. Who makes the best/easiest to install and where can I get them?

Also other than a scanmaster what other guages should I consider?

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Knock gauge is in the end the most important gauge. It measures the knock signal to the ECM. Scanmaster measures the ECM response the the knock signal from the knock sensor. My 2 cents. Brad

 

[Adam Connell]

and who makes/sells a good knock guage??

 

[jurassic five 7]

Caspers Electronics. They have an audible and also led.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

You can get one from Caspers Electronics. They have a website. Postons also sells the same gauge. Postons also sells a pillar as well as console gauge holders. Another good source is Kirbans Performance All of these companies have internet sales. You could also buy an audible knock gauge as well. Brad

 

[at7we2]

my 2-cents....

"back in the day" a lot of guys liked VDO gauges. the "cockpit" series more or less looked OEM and they were quality gauges. they are still available but there are many, many other options now from AutoMeter and other gauge manufacturers. You can get just about any look you want and different back-lighting options as well. I've used both AutoMeter and VDO in several different cars over the years and never had any problems with any of them. I believe most of the AutoMeter gauges are still manufactured here in the U.S. - not sure about VDO, they used to be manufactured in Germany but I believe they've moved a lot of their aftermarket manufacturing elsewhere. Stewart-Warner has also re-entered the aftermarket gauge market but I don't have any experience with their new stuff.

check the manufacturer's websites and summitracing.com for gauge options.

I think you probably want to go about gauge selection in the following order:

1. select which gauges you want - water temp. oil press. etc. (it sounds like you've done that already).

2. decide which type you want - electric or mechanical - mechanical is generally considered more accurate but are also usually more difficult to install. although I've never seen an electric "boost" gauge for an automotive application.

3. decide where you want to mount them and what size you want. 2 1/16" diameter fits in the A-pillar and console gauge pods for our cars and is a very common and popular size. If you're going to be racing your car alot you might consider larger gauges just because they're easier to read. *note: your choice on #2 might affect what size gauges are available.

4. decide what look you want. the major gauge manufacturer's, like AutoMeter, have a bunch of different "series" of gauges, all with different looks. I went with a more "old school" and subtle look with some auto meter "Z-series". they have black housings, black faces and white numbers very similar to the VDO "cockpit" gauges.

Good luck. HTH
Rob

 

[at7we2]

just read some of the other replies and I personally disagree with the need for a knock gauge. there are several threads on this website that give a suggested priority of gauges and instrumentation, but I believe they all pretty much list a good boost gauge as priority #1. Here's a *suggested* prioritized list:

1. BOOST! - you need to know turbo is doing and the stock LED gauge isn't much more than a bunch of pretty lights. this should be considered mandatory if you have an adjustable wastegate actuator!!

2. OIL PRESSURE - the 3.8 Buick engine oiling system and bearings are much less forgiving than those in a Chevrolet or Ford engine. Maintaining proper oil pressure is a must! A good oil pressure gauge can give you an idea of the condition of the oiling system and bearings as well as alert you if trouble develops later.

3. SCANMASTER!!!! Buy one, install it and learn how to read it! You'll be glad you did especially once you start doing other modifications! It's a diagnostic tool, tuning aid and warning device. Much more useful than a knock gauge in my opinion.

4. FUEL PRESSURE - even if you don't have an adjustable fuel-pressure gauge you still need to know what kind of fuel pressure you're getting. it can let you know if you've got problems elswhere in the fuel system like a clogged fuel filter or problem with the fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator. you can get one that just screws on to the end of the fuel-rail under the hood, but for a few bucks more, you can get one that's mounted on a hose long enough you can tape it to the windshield for diagnostic and tuning purposes. If you're more serious about racing the car, you might want to consider getting a larger gauge and a mount for the hood. This keeps the gauge in your field of vision at all times. *note: if you don't already have one, you might think about getting an adjustable fuel pressure regulator at this point - but get the gauge first if you can't get them at the same time.

5. COOLANT TEMP - actually this is somewhat redundant if you already have a ScanMaster since the ScanMaster has the ability to display coolant temp. However a seperate gauge allows you to quickly check the engine temp. without having to hit the button on the ScanMaster several times to display the same information.

That's pretty much it for *basic* gauges unless you're worried about transmission temp. and transmission fluid pressure. I've never used one myself, but if you read up on the subject, it sounds like a EGT (Exhust Gas Temperature) gauge is an excellent tuning device.

HTH
Rob

 

[Adam Connell]

Hmmmmm.... So it sounds like a scanmaster really is a very nice tool to have! Water temp, tach, knock, O2 volts and more... I need one of those!

Who sells a decent boost guage? I think Im going to go with a pillar mount setup. More than likely have a boost guage and an oil pressure guage. I have an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, so I think Im goint to just have an underhood guage.

 

[onslow]

Hi Adam-

Here's another thread about your question:

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197703

Steve

 

[87geeinn]

Wideband 02 (XD-16 gauge w/controller), boost, oil pressure.

You can monitor knock, RPM, coolant temp (and more) w/Scanmaster

Those three will get you a LONG way without having too much to look at. Personally, I hate clutter and having too much to look at. Three gauges (actually four if you consider the Scanmaster) is enough distraction from the road as it is.