Which Gauges to Order?

[NastyStrontium]

I've been ordering parts for my car, so I have them when it gets out of storage. I'm ordering a VDO boost gauge, oil pressure, water temp. I'm also ordering a scanmaster and audible knock sensor. I've been looking for a tach, but I'm not sure where to look, or which ones work. I remember seeing something about the tach needing to be modded before being installed in our cars? I may be wrong though. Are there any other good gauges to have? I don't really plan on racing it, I'd just like to have it running as well as possible, and know as much as I can about what's going on with it.

 

[kidglok]

the scanmaster will show you rpm's, theres really no need for a tach on the street. If you want to be able to review whats going on a powerlogger is the best bet imo

 

[jasjamz]

I don't care for VDO gauges. I prefer Autometer. If you do the dual console gauge holder and the dual pillar pod you can use the Autometer 2 1/16th Z-Series. They are black, white letters & numbers, with an orange pointer. They offer a 30psi boost /vac gauge(mech.), oil pressure 0-100 (electrical), water temp (electrical) 0 to 260* (i think) and a small Tach that reads to 8000rpm and wil fit in the pod. Look at those...

 

[NastyStrontium]

What is the benefit of a boost/vac gauge vs just a boost gauge?

 

[ZNix]

Being able to tell how much vacuum the engine is pulling is good for diagnostic issues.. I don't really know any other benefits.

 

[smoke20]

air fuel 2

 

[oliver12]

I used all vdo, no problems work great.

 

[mtbraun]

I'm also looking for gauges. Anybody using Equus?

 

[mtbraun]

Question on the vacuum/boost gauge. Autometer sells a gauge that hooks up to the MAP sensor and vacuum line. It is quite a bit more expensive but also appears to be the only one that ties into the MAP sensor. From what I can tell the other combo boost/vacuum gauges just tie into a vacuum line. Am I correct? Which is more accurate?

 

[Fast4Ward]

Question on the vacuum/boost gauge. Autometer sells a gauge that hooks up to the MAP sensor and vacuum line. It is quite a bit more expensive but also appears to be the only one that ties into the MAP sensor. From what I can tell the other combo boost/vacuum gauges just tie into a vacuum line. Am I correct? Which is more accurate?

that sounds like a electric gauge which yes will cost alot more. if $ are an issue stick to boost/vac (non electric), fuel press and wide band...rpm is optional and cheap

 

[mtbraun]

Correct - it is electric. Any reason to believe this would be more accurate than a standard vacuum/boost gauge? It was $90 where the standard gauges are around $50.

 

[Gnx6]

Autometer Ultra Lite are probably the best looking and most accurate for the money. I used to buy all VDO as they matched the stock dash color scheme. I later found out all my turmoil with oil pressure problems was a stupid vdo gauge. Was off by 10 psi at idle and was off by about 18 at 50 psi. boost gauge was off by 4, volt gauge was off by about 1.5v. Temp gauge was off by almost 20 degrees. I used a Matco mechanical oil pressure gauge tee'd off to verify oil was wrong. 2 Fluke 88 meters to verify volt gauge was off. Used the Scanmaster and temp gun to verify temp gauge was off. I will never ever buy VDO again. Autometer is made in the USA, they work great and are a good price.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=3150&sid=11]Auto Meter

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=3173&sid=11]Auto Meter

 

[Gnx6]

Question on the vacuum/boost gauge. Autometer sells a gauge that hooks up to the MAP sensor and vacuum line. It is quite a bit more expensive but also appears to be the only one that ties into the MAP sensor. From what I can tell the other combo boost/vacuum gauges just tie into a vacuum line. Am I correct? Which is more accurate?

Mechanical is always the way to go.

 

[Rich Gio]

Mechanical is always the way to go.

Mechanical is more accurate, but I will never run an oil line inside my car again. I had one let go in my GN and I'm STILL cleaning up oil from behind the dash 20 years later! (Yes it WAS a copper line too!) It ruined a great pair of Acid washed Levi's 501 jeans, too!

 

[novaderrik]

Being able to tell how much vacuum the engine is pulling is good for diagnostic issues.. I don't really know any other benefits.

you can gain a couple of miles per gallon if you learn how to drive with a steady foot.. the needle will move with every little twitch of your foot, and once you learn to keep the needle steady you will be getting better gas mileage.

 

[Gnx6]

Mechanical is more accurate, but I will never run an oil line inside my car again. I had one let go in my GN and I'm STILL cleaning up oil from behind the dash 20 years later! (Yes it WAS a copper line too!) It ruined a great pair of Acid washed Levi's 501 jeans, too!

I am using braided steel lines with a shut off valve under the hood in case that ever happens.

 

[turbo39151]

I have the VDO "vision" series. I've never had any issues with function or general accuracy.

 

[Instro84]

check out speedhut, thats what i bought.