Which 3 gauges for a road (not track) car?

[CalaisBoy]

Just looking at all the options for fitting a gauge pod to the Calais which has a cam and the other usual bolt-ons. The car has never been on a track and is unlikely to be.

I like the 3-gauge pods that are available - HSV, JPH and also the one Bonners has.

Question is whether the 3 gauges that are fitted to the HSV pod are the best for my purposes. I certainly see the necessity for Oil Pressure and Volts, but is Oil Temp important in a daily driver road car that is rarely revved hard?

So I guess I am after comments on what the 3rd gauge should be. Yes it could be the traditional Oil Temp, but 2 other options are:
- Wideband Air/Fuel (Air/Fuel ratio at any time)
- Vacuum (I understand this can indicate the health of the vacuum system generally and also leaky head gasgets, sticking/worn valves or valve guides, fouled plugs, incorrect timing)

Both of these give read-outs that relate more to day-to-day running and engine condition and tune etc.

Any comments and opinions that help me decide would be appreciated - even if I am way off the mark and should stick with Oil Temp.

Thanks!

[Tre-Cool]

I run 2 x widebands. 1 in each side of exhaust. boost/vacuam is pointless apart from when your cruising because you'll be too busy looking where ya going.

Oil temp pointless for a road car too. Oil Pressure would be more important than anything else as the factory stuff has a bit of a delay to it.

[VYSHSV8]

Oil pressure, water temp and wideband

[macca_779]

Wideband oil pressure fuel pressure I reckon.

Volts. Who cares there is a light for that
Coolant Temp is already there
Oil temp. Only needed in harsh conditions if troubleshooting an unproven setup


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[zorro]

I'd put a wb in and a pair of aeroforces

[Roonstain]

Yep, the wideband and aeroforces is a good idea - I have a wideband and aeroforce in a dual setup in my SSV and then a plx obdII under the hvac
I have my aeroforce showing trans temp (i have a decent sized stall) and knock retard

[NIXON]

Is anyone here running a mechanicle oil pressure gauge in cabin?

[zorro]

I have in the past much to the disgust of plenty I'm sure. Never had leaks or failures and are more accurate than the electric sender units. Make sure they are shielded adequately and ensure you keep away and secure from headers/exhaust.

In saying that a scan gauge or aeroforces plug into the obdII ports and work off the PCM and show a plethora of other parameters. Can't get easier than that

[NIXON]

I have in the past much to the disgust of plenty I'm sure. Never had leaks or failures and are more accurate than the electric sender units. Make sure they are shielded adequately and ensure you keep away and secure from headers/exhaust.

In saying that a scan gauge or aeroforces plug into the obdII ports and work off the PCM and show a plethora of other parameters. Can't get easier than that

I have a electric gauge, but my mate just bought a mechanicle one to save money, I told him what could happen but he won't listen. Pretty dumb considering he has a full suede and leather re trim.

[zorro]

I've never heard of one myself failing, and if it did at worst would dribble oil under the dash or wherever it is leaking from.

As long as you ensure the line is out of harms way and protected by loom tube or the like and fittings are secure really there is not much to worry about

[motorin on]

I have in the past much to the disgust of plenty I'm sure. Never had leaks or failures and are more accurate than the electric sender units. Make sure they are shielded adequately and ensure you keep away and secure from headers/exhaust.

In saying that a scan gauge or aeroforces plug into the obdII ports and work off the PCM and show a plethora of other parameters. Can't get easier than that
I have been told about the scan and Aeroforce gauges b4,still trying to get organised and find a reputable supplier.Not happy with E-Bay
I have a part number for an electric gauge from VPW but haven't worked out where to fit it and the cost of fitting

[duke5700]

I'm not a fan of fluids that burn in the car, either through temp or flame. Good quality Teflon hose and fittings won't leak, it is more so in an accident situation. As for accuracy you have a 0-5 volt pressure/temp transducer of which I bet they ain't metering class. Once I get mine going I might test against good stuff for accuracy. The mech stuff used to be pretty good like you said.



I've never heard of one myself failing, and if it did at worst would dribble oil under the dash or wherever it is leaking from.

As long as you ensure the line is out of harms way and protected by loom tube or the like and fittings are secure really there is not much to worry about

[CalaisBoy]

Thanks for the replies. Good interesting info. I like the look of analog gauges so hadn't really considered aero force or the like. After googling I can see how good they would be. I may put one in the centre of the 3- pod for symmetry with an analog on each side.

Not sure. Is their another way to install a really well integrated aero force gauge elsewhere in a VE?

[bush_basha]

There's a picture on the aeroforce gauge website of a Chrysler, where the sunglasses holder is, they have a dual pod that sits in there. I reckon it looks pretty good. Others may not though.

[CalaisBoy]

Thanks basha, will check this out. I have also seen gauges mounted in the door at bottom of centre facia under sound controls etc, but I have other plans for that.

[Phizzle]

Stop being soft and put a boost gauge in there :D

[Roonstain]

Thanks for the replies. Good interesting info. I like the look of analog gauges so hadn't really considered aero force or the like. After googling I can see how good they would be. I may put one in the centre of the 3- pod for symmetry with an analog on each side.

Not sure. Is their another way to install a really well integrated aero force gauge elsewhere in a VE?

I have a dual pod on top and this underneath my aircon/stereo
http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=G8-INT-CGM&Store_Code=IR&Category_Code=_FEATURED_ITEMS

[madalpinestar]

does any one know if i can get the aeroforce gauges in aus somewhere or do we still have to get them for america and what sort of price are they chasing for them theses days?

[motorin on]

does any one know if i can get the aeroforce gauges in aus somewhere or do we still have to get them for america and what sort of price are they chasing for them theses days?
I did a search last night using aeroforce gauges and found a 4 wheel drive place selling them ,was in Vic (doubleblackoffroad.com),I think it was $450 for 2.Plus there was a place in the US (boltonspeed.com)

[CalaisBoy]

Thanks Roonstain
Looks great but I hope to put something else there. if I can't find an good alternative, I may reconsider my plan,

As a matter of interest, will 2 gauges fit there?

[bonners]

You can get Aeroforce gauges from me.

[madalpinestar]

You can get Aeroforce gauges from me.

New or second hand? how much are you asking?

[bonners]

No I supply new. 1/2/3.... whatever you want.

Send me a PM

[CalaisBoy]

I am planning to get 3 analogue gauges for the pod and also either 1 or 2 aeroforce down below the radio.

My question now is about Wideband AFM Gauges. I know I will need a sensor installed into the exhaust system before the cats, but will I need a "controller" of some sort as well? Also I assume I just install one sensor in one bank - not one in each bank??

Thanks.

[CalaisBoy]

OK, just to reactivate this thread......

I have bought a 3 Gauge Pod and am about to order 3 analogue gauges (I still plan to get aeroforce later when I fabricate a gauge mounting for the cubby hole in front of the gear selector).

The gauges I am looking at are the Speedhut Revolution range. These seem good because you can select colours and make design choices for almost every component of them. This will solve the problem of matching the Calais cluster gauges - charcoal face, unusual text font, white hands and white lighting. I will order AFR and Oil Pressure gauges but still undecided on the 3rd analogue gauge. They also have adjustable upper and lower range warning lights.

Here are my questions:
- Does anyone know if the stock "volts" or battery light in the dash only comes on if there is NO charge or does it also come on if the charge is getting low?

- is a vacuum gauge as useful these days as they were 40 years ago (when I was a young bloke)? Back then, we used them to indicate the health of the vacuum system, leaky head gasgets, sticking/worn valves or valve guides, fouled plugs, incorrect timing etc. Any variation in their needle operation indicated a problem.

- so what do you reckon? Vacuum or Volts?

[CalaisBoy]

Thought I would post an update on what I decided about gauges.

Today I had 3 Speedhut Revolution Gauges delivered (Volts, Oil Pressure and AFR).

I ordered black faces, white numerals, lights and hands and silver bezels - all to match the existing Calais dash. Only comment is that the silver bezels are more like chrome, but still look good.

On each gauge the high and low range warning light can be easily set which should be good.

They were dead easy to fit to the pod - see photos below. Now to install in the car next weekend!!

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Gauges1.jpg http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Gauges2.jpg

[John_LS1]

They look like they would suit the calais cluster really well. what are the gauges worth and where did you get them from?

I'm going to be putting trans temp, fuel pressure and wideband A/F into my VZ (already got oil and volts) in the autometer cobalt range but the only thing i don't like is they light up blue compared to white on the dash and the needle is red so id be keen on the ones you've got.

[CalaisBoy]

John,
Have a look at the Speedhut website. There is a variety of styles and a really good feature is an interactive tool to choose various bits or colours and fonts etc and it shows you what they look like. The cost varies depending on the gauge and the options. I fluked a sale they had on at the time. End of financial year I guess.

For their AFR gauges you need to buy a sensor and controller as well. All others come with everything you need.

I ordered direct from them in The US and it only took about 10 days for delivery.

[CalaisBoy]

Installation in progress - gauge pod just resting in place. I will finish this next weekend.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Gaugesinstall4.jpg http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Gaugesinstall1.jpg http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Gaugesinstall6.jpg

[CalaisBoy]

The next stage was to install the Oil Pressure sender "double adaptor" unit I got from Crazy Pauls Holden and G8 parts (easy to search on Google).

The new double adaptor unit that installs where the existing sender is above the gearbox behind the Plenum/intake manifold near the firwall (see photos below)
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Oilsender1.png http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Oilsender2.png

The unclipped original sender plug, and the pre-assembled new unit
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Unclippedoilsender.jpg http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Oilsender4.jpg

Installing the unit
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/UndoOilsender.jpg http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Undooilsender2.jpg

Installed and ready for plug from the gauge
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss323/CalaisBoy57/Oilsender3.jpg