What are the pro's/con's of the different guages? What are the physical differences of them? Thanks ahead.

Brandon

 

One problem with mechanical gauges, is if something goes wrong and it sends more pressure than it can handles you'll get a nice jet of something in your face. Ahh and that is one of my dreams, to see a ricer try to race and have their oil gauge shoot oil in their face.
- Steiner

 

Lol. Good point. Another problem with mechanical gauges is that you have a lot more crap to get through the firewall.

 

So there's pretty much no way to tell cosmetically, with the gauge in a pod/dash, that it's mech. or elec?

 

it might say it on the face. . . but not really any diff.

paul

 

I've never seen any cosmetic difference between mechanical and electrical. The only differences really are with the setup and like P'cola FD said there will be more lines that you have to bring through the firewall. What gauges are you looking at? I would recomend just going with electrical they are a lot easier to deal with.
- Steiner

 

actualy, i'm curious as to what kind of boost gauge i should get.. any suggestions?

 

aren't mechanical guages more accurate than electrical?

 

Do you want it in Bars or PSI. I personally love the blitz gauges. Here is the link I like the DC series the best.
http://www.blitz-na.com/Blitz_Products.htm
I don't know if mechanical is more accurate than electrical. Anyone?
- Steiner

 

Why so? I would think that the electrical is more accurate.

 

i would guess mechanical since it directly measures the boost??

 

Well there are two sides to each. The mech would measure boost directly but there may be a time delay with the lines. I really don't know but that is a guess. And as for electrical I believe they measure boost from ic piping. The only time I have seen it set up was with the blitz gauges and they had a replacement pipe with an output for the line. The line went from the ic piping to a supplied computer. The blitz is I guess a cross between mechanical and electrical. It takes a mechanical reading and sends a signal to the actuall gauge telling it what to read. I don't know this doesn't even make sense to me. That's it no more posting on saturday or sunday mornings for me.
- Steiner

 

Okay, where'd you get it measures boost from IC piping? It measures boost from...a boost source i.e. nipple on the throttle body/uim/lim, IC, Turbine etc....not just IC piping. Basically anything that directs charged air into the engine.

 

That's exactly why I am not going to post on a hangover anymore. Sorry
- Steiner

 

lol

well, i guess there are pros and cons to electrical and mechanical, i just figure that mechanical can get better readings, being as how they actually measure and respond to the actual charge air, and i don't think the length of the hose that runs from nipple to guage would make a difference, unless if some moron decided to use like 20 feet of tubing for one guage...

 

Mechanical boost gauges can be off from the actual boost pressure by 2psi or more in some cases. The pressure is higher @ the plenium where the nipple is when compared to the stock sensor(search the forum and you will find info on this). IE the power fc's readings will never match readings on a mechanical boost gauge.... I like the mechanical too though because it's figures are higher and makes me more weary as it approaches 13 psi...... I guess im kinda psyching myself out.... As far as fuel pressure gauge, definately electrical.... You can run a line through the fire wall but who wants fuel coming through the fire wall and pointed right @ your face in an accident? They sell fuel pressure gauges that measure remotely and send a signal to the dial...... A/F gauges don't mechanically operate......

 

are there any other places to tap into at with a mechanical guage? where exactly is the stock sensor at?