Inexpensive gauges?

T

Tanj

New member
Anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive gauges? Are mechanical or electrical preferred? Will be going into a 1G RX-7. Looking for a Tach, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Coolant Temp at a minimum. Plan to include dual EGT as well. Thanks.
 
Autometer Sport Comp, mechanical, try eBay or your favorite racing parts store.

Dual EGT - Mazdatrix, it's cheaper than the one from Pineapple. These are your best two options.
 
And if you're going to go with cheap stuff, get electrical. The last thing you want is the innards of a gauge coming apart and spraying you with hot oil, fuel, coolant, etc.
 
Greg Amy said:
And if you're going to go with cheap stuff, get electrical. The last thing you want is the innards of a gauge coming apart and spraying you with hot oil, fuel, coolant, etc.
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Ask the guy that had one fail, lose all the oil, and lock up the motor on his Miata at the driver's school this past weekend...
 
If you get mechanical gauges, just stick with a good brand like Autometer, and you should be fine. I run all mechanical gauges in my car, and I haven't had any problems. Only down side is that I run a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and because it is mech, I have to run it outside the car-on the hood. Which isn't a big deal. I got all of my gauges off of eBay. The oil temp, pressure, and fuel all came off of a Porsche Race car and were made in 93! I got all three for 80 bucks which is a STEAL. The water temp I bought new for about 130 bucks...I think. They are Autometer Sport Comp 2 5/8".

Hope this helps.

-Vincent.
 
Thanks folks. Autometer it is. I'll get a RSS search feed up.

Mark - I'd heard that before about the dual EGT. Originally couldn't find it on mazdatrix's site but found the same gauge they are selling at Pegasus (with much better documentation).
 
Tanj said:
Anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive gauges? Are mechanical or electrical preferred? Will be going into a 1G RX-7. Looking for a Tach, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Coolant Temp at a minimum. Plan to include dual EGT as well. Thanks.
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Where are you located? I'm about to replace an Autometer Monster Tach w/shift light as well as a three gauge panel with Autometer Ultra light coolant temp, oil pressure, and oil temp mechanical gauges with a Dash 2 on my car. The parts are all in NC, but should be really easy to ship.

Interested?
 
RacerBowie said:
Where are you located? I'm about to replace an Autometer Monster Tach w/shift light as well as a three gauge panel with Autometer Ultra light coolant temp, oil pressure, and oil temp mechanical gauges with a Dash 2 on my car. The parts are all in NC, but should be really easy to ship.

Interested?
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I'm in Dallas, TX. Shipping shouldn't be a problem if you're willing. PM me a price as I'm interested.
 
Tanj said:
Anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive gauges? Are mechanical or electrical preferred? Will be going into a 1G RX-7. Looking for a Tach, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Coolant Temp at a minimum. Plan to include dual EGT as well. Thanks.
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I actually have a used set of oil pressure, oil temp and coolant temp autometer 2 1/16" gauges that worked great, we simply upgraded to a DASH2. They are yours for a very good price if you want them.
 
RacerBowie said:
You'll have to turn on your PMs. This site defaults them turned off.

Or you could email bowie (at) raceconover (dot) com
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Doh. Thought i had gotten everything setup the way I like it when I put in my location not long ago. Guess not. I'll drop you an e-mail.

Jeremy Billiel said:
I actually have a used set of oil pressure, oil temp and coolant temp autometer 2 1/16" gauges that worked great, we simply upgraded to a DASH2. They are yours for a very good price if you want them.
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RacerBowie made a similar offer first. If we can't come to terms I'll drop you a line.
 
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Tanj said:
Looking for a Tach, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Coolant Temp at a minimum. Plan to include dual EGT as well. Thanks.
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Consider a voltmeter gauge and fuel pressure gauge, I have found both these to be beneficial to identify or exclude problems.
 
mbuskuhl said:
Consider a voltmeter gauge and fuel pressure gauge, I have found both these to be beneficial to identify or exclude problems.
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I plan to have a fuel pressure gauge but was going to put it under the hood as the car is carbed. Hadn't thought about a volt meter.
 
Tanj said:
I plan to have a fuel pressure gauge but was going to put it under the hood as the car is carbed. Hadn't thought about a volt meter.
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You really need to see the fuel pressure from the car.It is paramount to understanding issues like, is it the pickup running dry in the corner, or a carb problem that is causing this stumble?? If you have pressure, you know it's not the pick up.

there are two options: Get a very accurate gauge, or get a super accurate gauge and a cheap gauge. Use the lab quality super accurate one to set up the regulator, then pack it away so vibration doesn't damage it. it goes on a T underhood, and day to day monitoring is done via a normal gauge ont the dash. Paul Yaw used to sell the right one on his website:Yawpower. He's gotten out of the 1st gen business, but you might find a treasure trove of info there, and the type and model gauge he recommends.

1st gen carbs are very sensitive to proper presssure.

Or get a good one and adjust with that. I had a good one, then got the lab version, and I was lucky, my gauge is very accurate.
 
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