Help with gauge selection...(long)
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: SD, CA
Help with gauge selection...(long)
I bought the Lo-Tek (3) pillar pod, but I need your guy's input with respect to the type of Autometer Phantom gauges I should get...
#1. The gauge I'd most like to have is for the intercooler fluid temperature. Mainly because down the road I'm planning to get the JL Powercooler, but even now it might be a useful tool when icing down the intake at the strip. The problems I'm having with this one are: (a) what range of temperature do you think the gauge should have, (b) where would be the most effective place to take this measurement, and (c) how should I tap into the system for the "sensor"?
#2. I've been thinking about adding another boost gauge, more so now for the fun factor of watching it when I romp on it...but I do have a lower pulley on the way, so this would actually be useful too. Once again, what do you think a good effective range would be for the gauge to have. I think now on a hot day I'm at about 10-11, and with pulley I'd guess that should be more like 12-13 (and once fall and winter roll around, mid to high teens possibly?). That would lead me to believe that 20 is the magic number I should look for...but I do plan to get nitrous towards the end of the year (boy, that certainly would be one hell of an Xmas present, huh?), so maybe having one that reads up into the low 20's might not be a bad idea afterall? I think Summit offers an Autometer that hits 30, so maybe I answered my own question.
#3. Well, since I already ruined the ending, the third gauge pod opening will eventually be for nitrous...but I need something else to "tide me over" for the time being. I was actually thinking that another good permanent gauge might be one for the temperature of the air in the intake, which would be a good way to see how effective the new proposed FASTair system (that I like) is, versus say the JL Ram Air kit, or an open element filter alone, or even against the stock setup. Are there different types of temperature measuring gauges, such as one for air and one for a fluid, or are they the same? Any ideas where the measurement could be taken from effectively and easily, or even if this idea has any merit?
I've heard a number of other gauges being mentioned, but to be honest, I personally don't know why I should be concerned with these (with regards to determining the vehicles ideal performance conditions- i.e. oil pressure is important, but my stock "yes/no" as a friend termed it atleast tells me if i HAVE oil pressure...but knowing if I have "X" amount versus having "Y" amount won't make me go any faster, will it? These are the two others I've heard mentioned that I'm a bit in the dark about:
*Fuel Pressure: I've heard this is important on blown vehicles, but why?
*Air/Fuel: To check if you're running to lean maybe? detonation?
Any help or advice you can give me about any part of this ridiculously long post would be appreciated. Thanks...
#1. The gauge I'd most like to have is for the intercooler fluid temperature. Mainly because down the road I'm planning to get the JL Powercooler, but even now it might be a useful tool when icing down the intake at the strip. The problems I'm having with this one are: (a) what range of temperature do you think the gauge should have, (b) where would be the most effective place to take this measurement, and (c) how should I tap into the system for the "sensor"?
#2. I've been thinking about adding another boost gauge, more so now for the fun factor of watching it when I romp on it...but I do have a lower pulley on the way, so this would actually be useful too. Once again, what do you think a good effective range would be for the gauge to have. I think now on a hot day I'm at about 10-11, and with pulley I'd guess that should be more like 12-13 (and once fall and winter roll around, mid to high teens possibly?). That would lead me to believe that 20 is the magic number I should look for...but I do plan to get nitrous towards the end of the year (boy, that certainly would be one hell of an Xmas present, huh?), so maybe having one that reads up into the low 20's might not be a bad idea afterall? I think Summit offers an Autometer that hits 30, so maybe I answered my own question.
#3. Well, since I already ruined the ending, the third gauge pod opening will eventually be for nitrous...but I need something else to "tide me over" for the time being. I was actually thinking that another good permanent gauge might be one for the temperature of the air in the intake, which would be a good way to see how effective the new proposed FASTair system (that I like) is, versus say the JL Ram Air kit, or an open element filter alone, or even against the stock setup. Are there different types of temperature measuring gauges, such as one for air and one for a fluid, or are they the same? Any ideas where the measurement could be taken from effectively and easily, or even if this idea has any merit?
I've heard a number of other gauges being mentioned, but to be honest, I personally don't know why I should be concerned with these (with regards to determining the vehicles ideal performance conditions- i.e. oil pressure is important, but my stock "yes/no" as a friend termed it atleast tells me if i HAVE oil pressure...but knowing if I have "X" amount versus having "Y" amount won't make me go any faster, will it? These are the two others I've heard mentioned that I'm a bit in the dark about:
*Fuel Pressure: I've heard this is important on blown vehicles, but why?
*Air/Fuel: To check if you're running to lean maybe? detonation?
Any help or advice you can give me about any part of this ridiculously long post would be appreciated. Thanks...
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 318
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From: SD, CA
ttt...
None of you with pillar pod gauges really really like the ones you picked, or regret not going with another one in its place? Maybe I'm just bitter that no one wants to play with me (or my post in this case)...jk. later...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Houston, Tx, USA
Well, maybe nobody is posting because there are several long post with pics of pretty much all the guages available. There was even a group buy post in which everyone stated which gauges they preferred. I don't know if they are easily available or have been archieved and now that we have this new software I'm not sure how to access them. I can't even find our FAQ.
Most people went with the auto-meter Ultra-Lites 2 1/16 which closely resemble the SVT gauges. A few went with the Phantom. Many wanted the Lunar which was never produced but is rumored to be reoffered again maybe next year. There was discussion that mechanical gauges were more accurate than electric gauges, although Autometer says that is not true of theirs. A volt gauge is a good add since the truck doesn't come with one. Boost seems totally irrelavant to me. I would opt for a good water temp and oil pressure in addition to volt.
noelvm
I like the Lunars also if they are ever produced.
Most people went with the auto-meter Ultra-Lites 2 1/16 which closely resemble the SVT gauges. A few went with the Phantom. Many wanted the Lunar which was never produced but is rumored to be reoffered again maybe next year. There was discussion that mechanical gauges were more accurate than electric gauges, although Autometer says that is not true of theirs. A volt gauge is a good add since the truck doesn't come with one. Boost seems totally irrelavant to me. I would opt for a good water temp and oil pressure in addition to volt.
noelvm
I like the Lunars also if they are ever produced.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 39
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From: OHIO
Mxracer you did ask a question i've been wanting to ask, hopefully
someone can shed some light with a good idea.
Mx's question>>>>>
I was actually thinking that another good permanent gauge might be one for the temperature of the air in the intake, which would be a good way to see how effective the new proposed FASTair system (that I like) is, versus say the JL Ram Air kit, or an open element filter alone, or even against the stock setup. Any ideas where the measurement could be taken from effectively and easily, or even if this idea has any merit?
a intake air temp gauge for tuning for what mods are helping air flow and what intake is truely picking up the colder air from where.
a sensor before the t/b and after the blower would be cool. any ideas.
someone can shed some light with a good idea.
Mx's question>>>>>
I was actually thinking that another good permanent gauge might be one for the temperature of the air in the intake, which would be a good way to see how effective the new proposed FASTair system (that I like) is, versus say the JL Ram Air kit, or an open element filter alone, or even against the stock setup. Any ideas where the measurement could be taken from effectively and easily, or even if this idea has any merit?
a intake air temp gauge for tuning for what mods are helping air flow and what intake is truely picking up the colder air from where.
a sensor before the t/b and after the blower would be cool. any ideas.