Gauges

#1

Just wanted to see what type of gauges anybody was using. Electric or mechanical?

#2

While a mechanical oil pressure gauge is simpler, cheaper, and reacts faster, I’m not wild about having an oil pressure line in the cabin. Though it rarely happens, years ago I experienced a failure of a mechanical gauge and it wasn’t at all pleasant.

#3

I liked the mechanical gauge/early warning light set up that Longacre offers on their gauge panels. The one I picked (OP/WT) fitted nicely in the radio spot on my panel. Below is a photo:

I ran a braided oil line from the sender port near the oil filter and used a $10 metric/NPT adapter (12M x 1.5 to 1/8" NPT)from Auto Meter:

105-2277.jpg1500x1500

I made a "T" fitting and kept the OEM idiot light functional using a low pressure switch warning sender wired to the dash light. Belt and suspenders for sure but it was an easy and cheap hook up. The mechanical WT and WT warning light senders are more of a PITA. Since I had an all metal after market radiator that needed re-core…my racing buddy who owns a radiator shop is installing two 1/2" NPT bungs for the two senders. The other warning light on the panel is for a low coolant pressure signal that I bought from Pegasus and fits in where the electric cooling fan thermostat switch is located. http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecId=8

I hope this helps…a little more work but I wanted some reliable gauges and the early warning lights.

Cheers,
Scott Neville
NorCal SpecE30

#4

[quote]While a mechanical oil pressure gauge is simpler, cheaper, and reacts faster, I’m not wild about having an oil pressure line in the cabin. Though it rarely happens, years ago I experienced a failure of a mechanical gauge and it wasn’t at all pleasant.
Please note, although no boardcode and smiley buttons are shown, they are still useable [/quote]

Not true, current gauge tech and display is much better than it was even 3-4 years ago. The stepper motor gauges are within .5-2% accuracy for most any measurement and are just as fast/faster than a mechanical. Honestly I think it’s just plain silly to run a mechanical gauge. They aren’t cheap enough to want to deal with that type of reliability in a roadrace car.

#5

Gauges?

We don’t need no stinkin’ gauges

#6

Sorry to bring back an old post, but I’m looking to do an install similar to Scott’s post above with the Longacre gauge panel…

Where is a good place on my '87 325iS’s stock radiator to take the water temp reading? I assume there is an idiot light switch somewhere on it. Or would it be best to pull this measurement from somewhere on the block or head? If so, where and what is the thread? I’ll need what looks to be a 1/2" NPT to something metric adapter.

I also plan to pull the oil pressure from the pressure switch on the side of the block.

Thanks!