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


iPhone 4

[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.