F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

Ok I know that's a border dash gauge holder, but I want the ignition column gauge holder. Anyone know where I can find one? If autometer sucks who makes a good one for a REASONABLE PRICE... (NOT DEFI - way too expensive at this point).

NZConvertible

That's not even a pod. It's just a cheap plate gauge holder you can probably pick up at an autoparts store for a few bucks. They leave the back of the gauge exposed, and look as cheap as they are...

Plus, blocking half of your tacho is not smart.

JasonL

Actually, I've got the same setup on mine(in the middle).

If you position it correctly it sits in the middle of your tach and doesn't disrupt your vision of your tach at all.

Just like in InitialD y0, my drift skillz improved mad quick after this gauge install.

fitzrx7

iTrader: (1)

Go to a place that sells alot of autometer gauges.

Get the yee-haw redneck autometer dash top mounting kit. Should include the gauge cup, ring that holds the gauge cup, hardware, and mounting base(which you will toss)

Then you take off the top of the steering column, cut a couple of little slits, put the gauge in the cup, slide the mounting ring over the gauge in the cup and put it in the slots you cut in the top of the column, and put the bolt through the bottom and viola, cheap column mount for $15.

This should work on the 2nd gen, just check for clearance inside the column.

I wouldn't attempt this unless you have some basic skill with a dremel, and dont mind paying for a new column cover if you F$@^ it up real bad. It has to be lined up right or it wont work

Here is an illustration (it's the top one)

Jon
'93 TGM base

Rpeck

Hmm, while I agree that is not the best place to mount a gauge, and I agree a pod is much better than the "plate holder" It might not be a as cheap a **** rig as it looks like. I bought an Apexi EL series boost gauge, and it came with a mount just like the one you see there. a plate/rail type mount. IMHO Apexi makes the best boost gauge on the market with Defi being a close 2nd. So he might have just used the stock mount that came with a good gauge, I can't tell what brand gauge that is in the picture.

but here is my gauge, so you can see what I'm talking about.


-Robert

F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

Robert, What, in your opinion makes the apex'i better then a defi or autometer.

I really like that, I don't have much of an interior so at the moment i don't have any a pillars, but i need to mount a boost gauge, that looks like the way i'm probably going to do it..

Thanks forr the input.

*indegestion killing me * argh..

F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

If i just get an apex'i ACVR does that eliminate the need for a gauge? Can I just go off the pressure reading that it gives? (does it even give one) I'm a turbo retard... (swapping from n/a)

Rpeck

Well, I have a Apexi air filter, Apexi Dual N1 Exhaust system, and an Apexi S-AFC. I have never had a problem with any of their products they are made top notch IMO, when a company does me right on their product I tend to stick with them, even if at times they are more pricey.

All Apexi products say right on the side of the box:

"Our company is A'PEX whitch means the highest in quality" I truely belive that.

I read alot of posts on this board, other boards and other import sites and could never find a complaint about an Apex'i boost gauge. Also, you open the box, clear precise direction, and everything you need to get it working, wiring in place, a T to plumb the hose, screws to mount it, even electrical conectors... they even go as far as to give you an air filer with the hose to ensure no debris gets into your gauge.

I like the DEFI gauges also, but their best gauges are the link series gauges, all electronic, and all go through a controller, just another point of failure, and considerable cost increase. IMO a electronic gauge relies on to many factors to give you as acurate a reading as a manual boost gauge.

Blitz and Greddy also make good gauges, but they are all on BAR, I wanted a gauge that read in PSI .. I don't want to be hitting boost and caculating BAR-PSI conversions in my head while doing so.

So, thats more or less why I chose APEX'I

Autometer is not even a question, just do a search .. you will find complaint after complaint of inacuracy.


-Robert

KNONFS

iTrader: (14)

Yet people who really know their stuff use them...

IMHO, save your $$$ and put it on a stand alone

cbrock

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't waste my money on big $$$ gauges. And really, when you're on it, how often do you look at the gauges??? I'm more focused on keeping it on the road/track. My autometers (ultra lights) have never given me a problem and seem to be quite accurate. You don't see any drag cars with apexi or defi running around....they all have autometer...must be cuz they suck and they like to lose races????

Plus Ford and Dodge are both using them as factory gauges...again, they must suck. Makes me wonder if these people with accuracy problems are hooking them up right? Perhaps they didn't make a good crush seal or maybe it's leaking at the source? Ever try contacting autometer and asking them what their quality standards are...or if you had a problem, bring it up to them and they'll send you a new one.

I'm not saying that apexi and defi aren't nice...in fact, they're very nice. They have back lighting and nice faces, but they seem more for show than go. Considering one or two of those gauges equals the cost of all my gauges, I just can't justify it.

Rpeck

I assume you are talking about domestic drag racers. Autometer is a domectic company, and you know those domesctic chevy-ford-dodge guys are not going to put a japanese gauge in their car... even if it is better (rice).

I am not complining about your gauge, I have never owned one. If you are happy that's what counts .. but after my research I chose to go with the Apex'i for my setup, he asked why .. I told him why in my mind.


P.S. I will be street tuning this time, with a wide band O2 and county roads, I need to have as accurate as possible boost numbers while doing so.

-Robert

Rpeck

P.S. the price of the Apex'i gauge I showed a picture of is really not as bad as some of you may think. $130 Brand New. Just an FYI. Another thing I like is, they look slick as **** lit up I will post a pic of it all mounted and with the lights on later.


-Robert

KNONFS

iTrader: (14)

I understand, and I really like them. As a matter of fact I was going with the peak and hold ones However I went for the autometer phantom boost\electric water temp\electric oil pressure for close to $130. The rest of my budget went into the haltech funds

NZConvertible

I just hate seeing the back of gauges exposed. It looks unfinished, particularly with hoses and wires dangling everywhere.

How does a gauge seem accurate?
Marketing is a very powerful tool. Besides, ever looked inside a Japanese drag car?
That's a totally different application. Anything supplied for an OEM application would have to meet that company's standards for accuracy and reliability, so there's no way those gauges can be compared to off-the-shelf products that aren't subjected to independent testing.

My VDO boost gauge is so much better than my old AutoMeter one it's not funny...

Rpeck

VDO, doh I forgot VDO. Good gauge I assume? Do they make the VDO's in PSI?


-Robert

RyoFC3S

iTrader: (1)

i have the link right here...

http://www.corksport.com/main.php3?p...3Fcat%3D214913

NZConvertible

Yes and yes.

Rpeck

Well I installed and mounted that gauge I showed you guys earlier tonight. I ended up mounting it with the bracket ot came with .. I put it on the right hand side of the idiot cluster angled towards the driver. No view obstructions, and looks real damn good. I am quite happy with how it came out. It blocks the clock, but I could **** less about the clock, It always flashes and blinks N **** anyways (I know you can fix those, but I don't care to) And I have a clock on my stereo.

I had to pull out the whole idiot cluster and drill small hole in the right side (of the mount, not the board) to pull the hose & wires through... I will take a couple of pictures tommorow, i need to cut out a spot in the surround cause i want everything hidden and counter sunk. So after I finish that part up over the weekend I will take pics.


-Robert

F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

Sounds good. I think I'm going to go with the Apex'i boost gauge as well...

JasonL

My gauge setup...



The camera is a lil low from where my vision is usually from, so I can see the tach a bit better than in this pic.

(Had to take a pic of the 222,222)

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

That speedo tripped me out man. I was like 280mph speedo

cbrock

iTrader: (1)

Nz...accuracy only matters from gauge to gauge. If my gauge said 6 psi before and now it says 8...then I'll believe it went up 2 psi. Who ever said anyone else's gauges were better? Perhaps this would be a good test. If some one has some jap and usa gauges, lets comapare them and find the ture answer.

In the mean time, keep spending the money on the apexi and defi gauges...I got stocks in those after fast and the furious. Seriously, call them, ask them what their quality specs are? And if you don't think top notch bracket/et racers would use jap gauges, I think you're wrong. If it gives them an edge then they'll use it. However, most of their info comes for datalogging. This is what I'll use my stand alone for, and not look for nice looking gauges...sorry, waste of money.

As long as you get mechanical gauges, then you'll be alright. Do you have any idea how much electrical noise F's up signals????? I bet that nice stereo wire makes for nice lead wires

cbrock

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, I'd use the autometer single gauge pods that are for bolting onto a cage or the dash. Did that in my talon and I was pretty happy with the results. I think they're about 12 bux or so from summit.

NZConvertible

I don't understand what you're trying to say.

All I was saying is that a gauge can't seem accurate. Either you test it and find out (or someone else does), or you don't know.
This isn't a US vs. Japan issue. I'm sure there are poor quality gauges made in Japan, just as there are US-made gauges better than AutoMeter (at least I hope there is).

My comment about my old AutoMeter boost gauge wasn't about accuracy. It looked cheap and it acted cheap. The needle bounced all over the show as you hit any in the road. My VDO gauge (which cost less) is beautifully smooth.

F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

Apex'i DOES make quality products and it didn't take the fast and the furious giving them a name, they HAD a name and will always have a name if their products stay at the current spec.

I have several apex'i products and am pleased with them all. Welds are *perfect* on all exhaust peices and the instructions that come with their S-AFC's are well written and easily installed.

If their boost gauges are anything like their other products, I would expect a high quality gauge that would be accurate if tested with a professionally calibrated pressure gauge.

Is it me, or am I just stupid, because I never saw any DEFI Gauges in Fast and the furryious???