What type of gauges to get for 86 T

[TheGovernment]

I'm going to get 3 after market gauges but am unsure what type to get mechanical, short sweep etc.

I'm looking at the autometer ES or GS series (or really anything else that is decent looking and not $300 per gauge) to go in a pod under the dash (it's a bench seater) I'm planning on a boost/vac gauge, temp gauge and a oil pressure gauge. What type should I get for each one? does it make much of a difference?

thanks,
Nathan

 

[coach]

If you have a Scanmaster, you dont need the temp gauge. Fuel Pressure is more important. I run Scanmaster, Mechanical Boost/vac, Electric fuel pressure, Mechanical oil pressure, and Mechanical trans temp ( because I have a trans brake). This question has been asked a 1000 times. Most will say boost and oil, the 3rd gauge always is personal choice.
Boost and oil are probably around $50-60 bucks, the electric fuel pressure gets pricey, and most others are not to bad.

Hope this helps,
Coach

 

[TheGovernment]

I do have a scanmaster but it's not installed yet as I just painted the car on friday and have few days of putting it back together. The boost and oil were #1 with the temp as a not sure. I never though of a fuel pressure gauge but that's a good idea.

 

[pmoore4321]

I never thought about the temp gauge in the Scanmaster. In that case, I might get rid of my triple pillar pod all together. I never have liked it. I am thinking about a double pod in the center console with boost and oil pressure. I don't really race-the-crap out of my car so I don't have to be "glued" to any readings.

 

[coach]

Our cars really do not run to hot so constant monitoring is not tops on my list. I toggle thru the Scanmaster at a traffic light and get my inlet air temp and engine temp every now and then. I like my engine to run about 170 cruising and it usually reads 168 or so. The fuel pressure is almost as important as boost. If boost goes to high...get out and if fuel goes to low...get out. My gauges are directly in front of me, on top of my dash. They are twisted so that when I am WOT, the needles should be straight up. That way I can tell at a glance if something is off. Its an old trick my dad uses. Who has time to read a gauge going a 100 plus and shifting??? Not me, a quick scan across and if all needles are pointing north, were good.

 

[jasjamz]

I would suggest a temp gauge. The scanmaster is set to monitor 02s and knock retard most of the time. If the fan relay was to go bad at least you'd see the gauge creeping up past 200. By the time the idiot light comes on and you check the scanmaster it'll be too late. I have boost, oil, and water temp, along with the scanmaster. Fuel pressure, trans temp, voltage and a wideband are also good ones.

 

[pmoore4321]

That is true also, especially being down here in Texas. I guess I will just keep my pillar pod. I lean more towards the stock look and the pillar just throws it off in my opinion. Oh well

On another note, I have Autometer "Phantom" gauges in my pod. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but mine seem to fog up. Sometimes it's so bad that I can't even make out the numbers on the gauge. I did a Google search and it seems I am not the only one with the problem.

 

[jasjamz]

A GNX dash would be great if the price was not so steep. I am so sick of the a pillar pod.

 

[pmoore4321]

I am so sick of the a pillar pod.

I'm a couple of hundred miles into mine and already am tired of it. How can I NOT know what the oil pressure is when it's a foot from my face!

Oh well, still better than a spun bearing!

 

[toofastforyou]

I'm a couple of hundred miles into mine and already am tired of it. How can I NOT know what the oil pressure is when it's a foot from my face!

A pillar pod is usually used for the most important gauge of all, the "Boost" gauge. The "Water temp" and "Oil pressure" gauges are most often installed into a lower console pod...:wink:

->I have one question though: Right now, I have some Auto Meter Carbon Fiber 2 1/16" "Water temp" and "Oil pressure" gauges mounted in a console pod and a "Boost" gauge in a dual pillar pod...I still have room in the pillar pod for one more gauge and I don't know which one should I choose between an electric "Fuel pressure" or a Volts" gauge?......or just use a single pod with the "Boost" gauge only?...

Thanks,

Claude. :wink:

 

[Roger]

Cyberdyne dash - has oil, water,rpm & it's right in front of you. Only drawback is availability.

I highly recommend fuel pressure - it lets you know if pressure is following boost. Only gauge I have mounted on the pillar.

I also like a boost gauge with callback, helps in tuning.

As mentioned before Scanmaster, only gauge I have mounted on the colum & looks like an add on gauge.

 

[The_Six]

I dont know whats best but Im running a custome made by me GNX set up with Cyberdyine digital gauges. I have speedo ,tach, fuel level ,water temp, oil presure,fuel presure, Boost/vacume and and WB. gauges some day I may get a voltage gauge but dont know when that will be I dont like extra guages and I have 1 on the piller now and dont want any more. I may get one of the cyberdine voltage gauges that plug in to the lighter one of these day. I do have a scan master to and for the days that I need a little extra tuning tools I have an Actron III scan tool it shows you every thing possable but its old school and no way to save what you see its only real time.

 

[coach]

When you are hauling Azz down the track, this is what you see from my point of view. Boost needle pointing straight up...27psi, ALKY light GREEN, Scanmaster knock...0.0 ( praying the entire time) and Fuel pressure straight up...70 psi. Makes for a quick glance and then the shift light comes on. Tach is at 5300...straight up!

Thanks
Coach

 

[pmoore4321]

That's a great setup for racing, no doubt about it.

 

[TheGovernment]

Well I ended up getting a boost/vac, oil pressure, and temp gauges fore the pod that will go under the radio in my bench seater. I will add a fuel pressure on the a pillar once I start to do a few mods. I will use my scanmaster for knock. All are the red and black es gauges.