I have identified what type of gauges I would like to install in my truck (as of now they are: boost/vacuum, fuel pressure, oil pressure, water temperature, air intake temperature, and air/fuel ratio).

Only thing I did not do is decide which manufacturer I should go with. Everyone praises Autometer (at least everyone I have spoken with so far), so it is naturally my first choice, but I am tempted with what I am seeing at DakotaDigital. My thoughts about both of these brands are:

Autometer pros: They seem having reputation for good quality (reliability and precision)
Autometer cons: High price and I have problem quickly finding out what is the value on needle based instruments under certain light conditions which often distracts me from conditions around me

DakotaDigital pros: I can quickly and precisely read out values under many conditions, plus they are half of the price of Autometer
DakotaDigital cons: I don't know how reliable and precise they are

Therefore if you have experience with DakotaDigital gauges I would appreciate your input. Their pros are tempting but if they don't have at least very close, if not same or better, reliability and precision as Autometer ones do I will not go with them no matter what.

Thank you in advance!

ZoranC

 

Zoran, I personally dont like digital gauges. But, you will not have any reliability issues with Dakota Digitals., as they are well made. If you can afford it, go with Steward Warner gauges.

WWW.stewartwarner.com

 

quote:"boost/vacuum, fuel pressure, oil pressure, water temperature, air intake temperature, and air/fuel ratio"

Zoran,

I would go digital on the "air intake temp" "air/fuel ratio" if you can find a digital fuel pressure that would be nice since it has to be mounted OUTSIDE the truck.(you'll see it better)

I want to help in any way I can, but where are you going to mount all of these gauges? You listed 6 gauges, one mounts outside, Boost, oil, A/F can mount on the pillar but you would have to mount the other ones on the dash or something. Thats alot of gauges to monitor. (I have trouble with 2)

I would go digital on anything you can, Dakota digital is a good brand and you'll have good luck with them.

I hope that you get this problem fixed soon

 

You could always go with a new hood and have some of the gauges mounted right outside the windshield, then have a triple gauge pod, and if you need it, one or two on the steering wheel column.

 

here is the one I am thinking of

 

Can you please tell me why?

Thank you, that is encouraging. What about quality, speed of response, and precision of their senders?

That's a thing, if they are at the same pricing level as Autometer then I will have to pass.

Thanks again!

ZoranC

 

For all I know fuel pressure has to be mounted outside if it is using capillary tubing. If it is using electrical signal it can be mounted inside. Am I wrong?

Actually it will be 8. There will be two air intake gauges (one for upper and one for lower manifold), and two air/fuel gauges (one per O2 sensor).

You already ARE helping. Where I will mount them? On dash toward glass but before air condition opening (not a single one will go on pillar). That way I have solid long position that doesn't block my view nor it blocks air nor it blocks sun shield in summer nor I am using handle nor I have to take my eyes of the road (BIG plus in my book). Remind me to send pics once it is done. I will be using this to mount them:



Not if I position them right. I don't have to track all of them all of time. Most important ones in middle, less important ones toward edges, based on logical use.

Thanks! I hope I will.

Thanks! I hope so too, buddy, I hope so too (I also hope you don't mind that I consider you a buddy, do you?)

I am willing to bet some (small) money that 1st thing I will find out is that after engine is decarbed practically all of of it will be back, but not quite all. Second I think there is something about boost. When I was at one dyno guys told me I have 7lbs. There is no way I could have 7lbs, our trucks stock have 6lbs and I am stockier than stock. Therefore I think they measured at highest pressure point which means I have 5lbs. If I have 5lbs at WOT where did one pound go? That's a good question answer on which might be worth some regained power. Does anyone know how much HP & torque loss would be caused by losing of one pound of boost? Third, I bet we will see improvements with Gatorback belts (everything indicates I did have belt slipage before and that I still might be getting some of it). And last throttle body prior to intake seems oil crud free but intercooler liquid seems little dirty. I wonder what I would find out if I check intake after the throttle body and what would happen if I flush/clean intercooler. I have bad feeling there was some oil ingestion in there.

Thanks again!

ZoranC

 

Autometer. Some of us are old enough to remember digital gauges from the 70's-early 80's ... and still don't like them!

 

I am guilty of remembering bad experiences as much as anyone else. However, quite a number of the years has passed since '70s and there is good chance things are different now. Therefore, I would have to ask why you still don't like them? Just because of what happened 30 years ago or there are other reasons? If there are other reasons please let me know what are they so I can make decision based on technical part of the equation. I will not spend $500+ more on Autometer just because '70s were bad, I need stronger argument.

Thanks!

ZoranC

 

Zoran, I dont like digital gauges because I am old school. I like the old anolog gauges. I personally think that they would clash with the rest of the stock analog units. Plus when ever I think of digital guauges I think of GM and Chrysler cars. Plus alot of Ricers have digital aftermarket gauges. But its all up to your prefereces. I would recomend doing it the way you really want once, instead of taking the cheaper way out, just to change it at a later date when you have more cash. Good luck

 

I was more looking to find out about experiences with technical aspects (quality and precision) of DakotaDigital gauges in particular.

Thanks!

ZoranC