Elec. and Mech. Gauges?

[.akai]

Which ones can I run on my 90' Hatchback? By that I mean, just buy getting each guage which ones I can I get in either elec. or mech. and have them work by connecting them? I know, I would need a Mech. Boost/VAC one. I am wanting a Boost/VAC, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and E.G.T.

Thanks for any info.

[AKADriver]

There is no gauge that works "just by connecting" unless it's calibrated to work with the factory sensors. Most aren't.

Mechanical gauges require tapping a line off whatever system you want to measure to the gauge. To measure oil pressure, you run an oil line to the gauge. To measure boost, you run a vacuum line to the gauge. And so on.

Electric gauges put an electric probe/sender in the system, connected to the gauge by wires.

Electric gauges offer an easier/safer install in all cases. They're less accurate and respond slightly more slowly, but the simpler, cleaner install makes them superior for a street car.

[.akai]

okay?

now which ones in our cars are already there. Gah, no one ever gets this freaking question. I just want to know which ones, I need to buy mech. for and which I need to buy elec. for. Which one can run off factory sensors and which have to have lines ran.

[black s13]

pretty sure none run off factory sensors. all stock gauges are electric. are you just looking to upgrade stock gauges? i dont understand. you say "which ones are already there" and you say "boost, EGT, oil pressure and oil temp" all of which arent stock. for all of those gauges, you will have to actually install them, not just plug them into something already there.

[.akai]

jesus christ.

Okay.

I know I would have to install the lines and all for the boost gauge!!!

BUT!!!!!!!

ARE THERE SENSORS ALREADY IN THE ENGINE FOR OIL PRESSURE!? FOR OIL TEMP? AND MAYBE EGT? IF SO THEN I WILL BUY ELECTRICAL AND TAP THE SIGNAL LINE.

[Yoshi]

Originally Posted by .akai

jesus christ.

Okay.

I know I would have to install the lines and all for the boost gauge!!!

BUT!!!!!!!

ARE THERE SENSORS ALREADY IN THE ENGINE FOR OIL PRESSURE!? FOR OIL TEMP? AND MAYBE EGT? IF SO THEN I WILL BUY ELECTRICAL AND TAP THE SIGNAL LINE.

Doode settle down.
you're totally right on the boost gauge.
For the others, it gets more complex, which is why you're probably getting conflicting info/not the answers u want. I think you're confused on the electrical vs. mechanical. Have u noticed how electrical gauges always cost more? It's because they have their own sensors (unless they do the autometer thing,and make you buy the sensor separately, so they can make it look like the gauge is more inexpensive than it really is). Pretty much any quality brand (electric) you buy will have a far superior sensor than what is stock in the car. Does that make sense? I'm kinda rambling... anyways...
I'll explain by gauge:

- Boost Gauge - u got this one down

- Oil Pressure - you want ELECTRIC for this one, unless you're going to mount the gauge under the hood, then mechanical is fine. You want electric because you have to route either a sensor, or a pressurized line. If the line breaks, then you have oil inside your car, fun huh? That's why u want electric. You don't want anything to do with the stock sensor, it's worthless anyways. Generally speaking, if you see the "oil" light go on in your car, chances are, your engine is already toast, or at least pretty damaged.

- Oil Temperature - same/similar as above

- Water Temperature - you'll need a radiator hose with a bung to accept the sensor. Again, the stock sensor is worthless, and you want to stay FAR away from it.

- Air/Fuel Mix gauge - unless you get a wideband, these are completely worthless, they just have the "bling" factor of the stupid LEDs flashing all over. They only give you a measurement at WOT, and even then it's not very accurate... these are all electric if u didn't already know.

- Fuel Pressure - don't route a pressurized line with fuel in it into your cabin (mechanical). I know a lot of guys that mount this under their hood anyhow, since you can't see the gauge when you're adjusting the FPR if it's in the cabin, or you'll need a friend to help you tune. I have an electric one myself so I that I could monitor it in the cabin under load, but if I'm under the hood, I need a friend to tell me what my readings are.

- EGT - I don't know much about this one, but I'll assume it's the same as water temp. My engine's former owner had already drilled/tapped the hole for one, so whenever I get around to installing mine, it'll be plug&play :P

[msaskin]

Originally Posted by .akai

jesus christ.

ARE THERE SENSORS ALREADY IN THE ENGINE FOR OIL PRESSURE!? FOR OIL TEMP? AND MAYBE EGT? IF SO THEN I WILL BUY ELECTRICAL AND TAP THE SIGNAL LINE.

No, there aren't, but this was already answered a few posts ago.

When you buy gauges they will come with sending units. You must install these sending units to their respective places (EGT -> tap the exhaust manifold, Oil -> there should be a plug near the filter base, coolant -> tap the upper rad hose or water neck on the block).

Also, for reference, mechanical gauges are a very very bad thing to use if you're mounting them inside the car (aside from a boost gauge). Fluids coming into the car to feed a gauge are a big no no.

~matt

[black s13]

Originally Posted by me

for all of those gauges, you will have to actually install them, not just plug them into something already there.

Originally Posted by .akai

ARE THERE SENSORS ALREADY IN THE ENGINE FOR OIL PRESSURE!? FOR OIL TEMP? AND MAYBE EGT? IF SO THEN I WILL BUY ELECTRICAL AND TAP THE SIGNAL LINE.

didnt i answer that? and please calm down, you have ike 6 posts, and your like yelling at people trying to help you.

[GonadSX]

Electric water temp gauge install:
http://240sx.cubicdesign.com/images/2004/tempadapter/

Mechanical oil pressure gauge install:
http://240sx.cubicdesign.com/article4.php

[.akai]

omg, thats excatly what I wanted to read. thanks u so much Gonad, Yoshi and msaskin

[mjjstang]

short temper people need not apply. you remind me of that counterstrike post.

Oh my freaking god these people just dont understand what Im freaking trying to say, gosh darnit.

[.akai]

LOL, sorry I got so upset. I have trying to figure this out for like a week on my own. And its been driving me crazy.

[black s13]

trying to figure what out? if you have a stock oil temp gauge? cant you go look at car you car and say "nope, no gauge for that one"?