GAUGE choices?

[jayfotos]

I'm having a custom duel guage pod made up to keep my VX looking stock. I'm going to have a boost guage, but having a tough time deciding on what other guage to use. So, if I can only use one....what do you think would be the best choice?

......I'm thinking oil pressure

[Joe_Black]

Good choice, hard to go wrong there. A good quality oil pressure gauge tapped at the correct point will clue you in to problems long before any annunciators.

[jayfotos]

I'm likeing the carbon fiber Auto-Guage brand, do you know of any better?

[skunkworks]

I went with the Auto Gauge C/F line, hard to beat the quality. I put oil,boost and volts on the pillar in that order top to bottom.

albert
________
Diablo (http://www.lamborghini-tech.com/wiki/Lamborghini_Diablo)

[VehiCrazy]

Me too. Auto Guage C/F line, oil press and volts.

[Cyrk]

Me too Autometer Carbon Fiber 2 1/16 Gauges
(Air/Fuel, Boost/VAC, Water Temp, Volts, Oil Pressure)

-Dave


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/636000-636999/636823_9_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/636000-636999/636823_27_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/636000-636999/636823_6_full.jpg

[Reg Hinnant]

Not me! I went with more of a stock look. :p
The Oil Press is the one!
We need to start a thread on the advantages of an Oil Press guage for the younger crowd that has been brought up with only idiot lights.
Monitored closely you can really see what is going on in the lubrication system. For example, I could see the difference that synthetic oil vs standard oil made in pressure readings traveling thru West Texas in the extreme summer heat.

[WormGod]

Ya, if you go with ANY guage first, I would get the oil. ALl we have is the oil light, and by then, it's probably too late to do much about it.

I went with the oil and volt gauges. May swap teh voltage out for Boost once I get the S/C in.

[morgan-tec]

I did a custom gauge pod in my Axiom and i went with Boost, Oil pressure and A/F. I went with the Defi Dgauge because thay match the dash perfectly, thay even have an amber light up to match the stock dash lights. I love them and they are all electric so they are super easy to install. Here are a few pics:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195531/gaugepod1.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195531/gaugepod2.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195531/gaugepod3.jpg
;Dr;

[Anita]

Now that looks very sweet...

[vxpac]

i do like that it gives it more of a cockpit feel, but i also have concerns about tracking potential oil pressure issues.

3 questions:

1/ is there a website where i might find these or any of the chain part stores i could order from?

2/ what would be the difference detected on the gauge between synthetic + regular oil?

3/ how difficult are they to install?

thanx in advance, you guys are great!

[vxpac]

i should specify that i'm most interested in the pillar gauges. thanx.

[Reg Hinnant]

Hi VXPAC,
I was running the same viscosity of oil (standard & synthetic) on 2 trips thru West Texas in the middle of summer. As I was driving in the middle of the afternoon with 100+ temps I found that my oil pressure did not go lower with the synthetic as it did with the standard oil. It was a noticeable difference proving to me that the synthetic was holding up to the heat better.
I don’t think you will se a noticeable difference in oil pressure between the 2 under normal driving however you will find the synthetic keeping your engine cleaner. And that’s important in this engine.
I have a write-up on the pillar gauge install if you would like it with part numbers & where I purchased.
Cheers

[jayfotos]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195531/gaugepod3.jpg

Yep, mine is going to be set up like yours(except, two pods and grey)

Do you know how they did yours and how much did they charge you?

I bought a spare pillar(used $30) and dual pods($10 ebay). The pod will be trimmed down, a cut out on the pillar will be made, pods snug placed in pillar and sealed from behind with a plastic apoxy. Then I think a resin like filler will be spread all over the visable side of the pillar, sanded and paint to match the original pillar color.
I think the bad thing will be the texture on the original pillar will be lost and will be smooth.....but will still look nice and seamless.:D

[Tone]

Some of us have gone with black A pillar covers which helps to minimize their size to the eye. You'll want to use the primer before you dye but it is a great improvement and ties in well with the black dash. Black will also hide a lot of the imperfections that may occur during your grafting of the pods.

[jayfotos]

Nah, I'm gunna run grey....I like how it runs right up into the headliner color.;)

So, anyone know a good spot to pick up the Auto Meter CF 2" at a good price?

[morgan-tec]

Originally posted by jayfotos
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195531/gaugepod3.jpg

Yep, mine is going to be set up like yours(except, two pods and grey)

Do you know how they did yours and how much did they charge you?

I bought a spare pillar(used $30) and dual pods($10 ebay). The pod will be trimmed down, a cut out on the pillar will be made, pods snug placed in pillar and sealed from behind with a plastic apoxy. Then I think a resin like filler will be spread all over the visable side of the pillar, sanded and paint to match the original pillar color.
I think the bad thing will be the texture on the original pillar will be lost and will be smooth.....but will still look nice and seamless.:D

I did mine, i took my stock pillar and grafted the pods on with fiberglass resin and then marglassed them smooth. Then i sprayed a texture coating to match the stock plastic then i color matched the whole thing. A lot of work but i love it and it totally looks stock. I would guess a shop would charge you around $100 or so to do that but thats just a guess.;Dr;

[morgan-tec]

Originally posted by jayfotos
Nah, I'm gunna run grey....I like how it runs right up into the headliner color.;)

So, anyone know a good spot to pick up the Auto Meter CF 2" at a good price?

Jegs has the best prices i have found and cheap shipping.

[BritVX]

Hi

While the pillar pod looks OK I don't think anyone has been that adventurous.
My winter project is to re-mod the whole dashboard, the desire to do this stems from my first job which is a lift and bigger tyres, that creates the problem of my speedo being out.
I've now found an electronic calibratable speedo and a whole range of matching gauges. This is going to take a while to do but the end effect will be worth it. I intend to make the main portion modular so hopefully if it looks any good it could be used for left hand drive models aswell. I've done a few dash's before on kit cars so I'm pretty confident it will look good.

Oil temp: Anyone fitted an oil cooler?

Col

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I was curious if there are any boost gauges made that are more in line with the 4-5 lbs of boost that Alpine's charger produces.

In other words...I really don't want a gauge that shows a swing of say 50 lbs of boost...the needle will hardly move! I thought perhaps a gauge swinging between vaccuum and boost of say 15 lbs????

[Dallas4u]

Originally posted by Jolly Roger VX'er
I was curious if there are any boost gauges made that are more in line with the 4-5 lbs of boost that Alpine's charger produces.

They're out there. I was looking around a bit when I had the VX, and I came across a few with a smaller boost interval. I can't remember where they were and who carried them... sorry, but they ARE OUT THERE!!

[SkidPlate]

I am seriously considering adding a few guages. I'm thinking oil, volts, and fuel pressure (is this air/fuel that your reffering too?). I figure I don't need a boost/vac guage since I don't have a supercharger, yet.

I see the senders accompany the Auto Meter guages, what are the best places to install these?

Also, short of fabricating my own, what is the best way to obtain a three pod A-piliar cover?

Thanks!

[morgan-tec]

Originally posted by Jolly Roger VX'er
I was curious if there are any boost gauges made that are more in line with the 4-5 lbs of boost that Alpine's charger produces.

In other words...I really don't want a gauge that shows a swing of say 50 lbs of boost...the needle will hardly move! I thought perhaps a gauge swinging between vaccuum and boost of say 15 lbs????

Autometer makes a 15psi boost 15"vacume gauge that wiuld work fine.

[Maugan_VX]

see the senders accompany the Auto Meter guages, what are the best places to install these?


For the oil pressure, there should be a plugged tapped hole near the oil filter.
I'm told its 10mm but I haven't measured it so I can't be sure.

[newthings]

Where can you put an oil TEMP guage sender?
Can the pan be drilled without removal?
Thanks, Roy

[morgan-tec]

Originally posted by newthings
Where can you put an oil TEMP guage sender?
Can the pan be drilled without removal?
Thanks, Roy

It can be but i would not advise it. If you choose to then drain your oil and drill and tap the hole then refill you oil and drain it again to help clean out the shavings.

[Joe_Black]

It'd be a lot better to get a "T" fitting and put it with the existing pressure sensor where your filter is located. If you'd like to have both oil pressure and temperature gauge senders while retaining the stock sensor (for the annunciator) you could get a simple manifold made at a local machine shop for about $20.

[jayfotos]

OK, ended up with this.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/901pod1.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/901pod2.jpg

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I found these gauges too...don't know if many people will like them but they are available in 3 different colors and are digital in nature.

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m7009_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m8024_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9017_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9014_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9013_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9008_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nord-digital-street-01.htm

[Maugan_VX]

Jay,

did you find those at your local parts store, or did you have to "piece" it together?

I like the digi guages Jolly.

[Tone]

GREAT looking gauges! I've been looking at a BullyDog gauge
ttp://www.bullydog.com/sale.pl?item=033003
that while designed for diesels, could provide valuable info not typically gathered (exhaus t& transmission temperature, as well as boost in a single small package) AND fit easily in the fuzzy hole. Lousy picture on their site (segmented red LED in reality) but when I saw it at SEMA it struck me as a great fit. This would allow the pods or din mount to hold yet more gauges, $349 is retail but if enough interest, I'll try to set up a group buy / dealership.

[jayfotos]

Originally posted by Maugan_VX
Jay,

did you find those at your local parts store, or did you have to "piece" it together?

I like the digi guages Jolly.

I got the piller and the pods on line for a total of $40.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9005_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9007_lg.gif

even an Amplifier temp gauge!

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m8033_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nord-digital-street-01.htm

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by Tone
GREAT looking gauges! I've been looking at a BullyDog gauge
ttp://www.bullydog.com/sale.pl?item=033003
that while designed for diesels, could provide valuable info not typically gathered (exhaus t& transmission temperature, as well as boost in a single small package) AND fit easily in the fuzzy hole. Lousy picture on their site (segmented red LED in reality) but when I saw it at SEMA it struck me as a great fit. This would allow the pods or din mount to hold yet more gauges, $349 is retail but if enough interest, I'll try to set up a group buy / dealership.


Wish I could see a better pic of this item! Does sound like a cool mod for the fuzzy hole!

http://www.bullydog.com/sale.pl?item=033003

[jayfotos]

I ordered the oil pressure and boost gauges in GREEN LED......not cheap, you have to buy the sending units along with it and costs as much as the gauges.

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9017_lg.gif

http://www.rjays.com/Gauges/nordskog_images/m9014_lg.gif

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Let us know how they work out for you! I personally want the air/fuel gauge, the boost gauge, and the oil pressure gauge for starters!

I found these gauge pods too!

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?Subgroup=Custom_Console&Cart=

http://www.egauges.com/images/APC/Large_Pics/107061.jpg

http://www.egauges.com/images/APC/Large_Pics/107061CF.jpg

[Medman]

I went to the egauges website, but they don't have the a-pillar set-up for ANY Isuzu's. What is the VX Nation to do?

[jayfotos]

make a custom set up like I did or buy pods and screw them on.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/901pod.jpg

[Maugan_VX]

they don't have a "general" fit. Is there a particular model that will work the best in peoples' opinion?

[jayfotos]

I would say get as close as you can and then hit it with a heat gun.

[Maugan_VX]

I'd do that, but there aren't exactly any laying around at any shops around here to go test fit. I could order one off ebay and get one thats nowhere near usable.

[morgan-tec]

well i know that for the Axiom a Honda Civic 92'-95 pod fit with a little heat gun love just fine.

[Maugan_VX]

Perfect, thats awesome, thanks.

[morgan-tec]

No problem, i was going to just bolt on a two gauge pod on my Axiom before i decided to mold in three but you can get it to fit really close with a heat gun just dont get it too hot or it will burn.;Dr;