teamstealth

hey every1,

I'm gonna try to find a 3-gauge center pod for my FD, and i need some suggestions on which gauges to get. I have a boost and a/f on the A-pillar. I'm definitely getting a water temp gauge. What should i fill the other two holes with? EGT? oil temp? oil press? plmk

Thanx,
Zach

shred

My suggestion-

Water Temp
Oil Pressure
NOS Pressure

Well if you don't like that, then use a Fuel Perssure (you need that for the NOS later anyhow).

Nathan Kwok

You already have an oil pressure gauge, so I'd go with Water temp, Oil temp, fuel pressure.

shred

Just a quick blurb here, I haven't seen that many RX-7's where the oil pressure gauge actually did any good. Tons of threads where people did everything to revitalize these stock gauges, they suck. Mine sits on the bottom until I get going, the engine is new. Just like the water temp gauge, its there but doesn't give you enough information to tell you when something goes wrong and both deal with vital information that could result in serious engine damage.

Just my $0.02

adam c

iTrader: (2)

I put 3 guages in my car. Boost, water temp & oil temp. I'm not sure the oil temp gauge is of much value. If the car is hot, the water temp gauge will tell you. Air/fuel mixture might be good.

Adam

teamstealth

OK i think im gonna go with:
water temp (since the stock one sux)
oil press (since the stock one sux)
EGT (another temp monitoring gauge)

I dont see the point of a fuel press. gauge because the a/f gauge would tell you if something's wrong with the fuel system.

Sound good?

Zach

Foz'sRX-7

Have you seen the RX-7 Tripod Center Speaker Gauge Pod?

It's really Cool, snaps in where the center speaker grill is. If you have a Base Model, then there is no speaker behind the grill.

Cost is $120 and they can be obtained from Flyrx7@aol.com

I'm definitely getting one to replace my Boost gauge on the A-pod.

I'm also going to do the Water & Oil Temps.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

I mounted my 3 gauges under the single unit stereo. Looks like it is stock equipment. No ugly humps sticking out the middle of the dash.

Nathan Kwok

Yeah i had the semi-dead oil pressure gauge for awhile too, i just forked out the cash for a new sender, although for that money ($75) you could buy a whole new gauge and sender. However, after getting a new sender, the guage now works very well. In my 3-DIN plate I have water temp, boost, and J&S, FWIW.

BigRed

Bingo. that's what I have there.. and then I have my boost gauge on the steering column. Skip the A/F meter if you're not getting a wideband O2 sensor.. it won't do you anygood.. you'll just see 2 settings, lean/not lean (or rich/not rich... I forget). also I'm not a big fan of the A-pillar gauges, the a-pillar gets in the way enough as it is, but whatever floats your boat.

Your Boost gauge is most important.. but I wouldn't put it in the 3 gauge din holder.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

Although a boost gauge is important to have, I think most of us (including me) find ourselves looking at it far more than we need to. It seems to me that we only need to look at once in a while to make sure things are doing what they are supposed to. In fact, I couldn't argue with someone who says they only hook a boost gauge temporarily, once in a while to check boost levels

bajaman

I wish someone made a gauge and sender that monitored intake air temp. That would be pretty cool, more of a conversation piece really, but what the hell...

teamstealth

I would go with a 3 DIN module, but the stereo in my car is a double DIN one (dunno y the guy put it in) so thats y im going with the 3pod up top.

Nathan Kwok

Baja,
I bet you could just get a generic air temperature sender and use that. May be hard to find one that is as responsive as you like, but most of the big brands should carry air temp sensors.

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

http://www.autometer.com/hp/2001_cat...s/4372_75.html

Kyle

shred

Your decision on what to put into your car but the A/F ratio doesn't always tell the true story. When the car is a Full Throttle (WOT, wide open throttle) it doesn't use the O2 sensor for the fuel map which can cause your A/F sensor to really go wacky. Your car should have a relatively consistent amount of pressure on the rails and as you increase the amount of upgrades, the demand on fuel will become the weak link. If the pressure ever drops, that is the first step to detonation (engine replacement or rebuild territory).

I perfer the fuel pressure gauge since you will have to have one for trouble shooting later anyhow, either in the car or under the hood. Since the fuel pressure will swing very slow and very consistently, it is easier to read then the irratic A/F Ratio meter.

Either way, good luck and have fun!!

Bucrx7

I'll vote for Water, EGT, and boost, unless you have one on the steering column.

teamstealth

I've currently got a boost gauge and an a/f ratio gauge on the A-pillar. Water and oil press are def choices right now. Now im undecided between fuel press. and EGT. What are some of the advantages of both? plmk

thanx,
Zach

bajaman

Damn! Thanks, man!

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

Personally, if I were in your position, I would dump the air/fuel guage, that is, unless you have the wideband hardware. In its place I would put the EGT guage as this will tell you how rich and/or lean you are running. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kyle

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

Very welcome.

Kyle

shred

Lots of information. Probably best choice is going to be where you plan to take your car and what is the best set of gauges for that build.

Straight turbos you can definetly use the EGT more then the Fuel Pressure. NOS driven or other on-the-fly performance enhancers usually require the Fuel Pressure since they spike the supply so hard at one time.

If you are going to stay straight turbo, then the EGT is probably the best choice. Put a Fuel Pressure gauge on your Fuel Pressure Regulator when you get to that point so you can see changes when you adjust it. Until that time, just check it at the dyno at top RPM and it should be good.

EGT lookes cooler anyhow and much easier to install.

teamstealth

Ok from what i've gathered here, a fuel press. gauge is only necessary during the modification process, or if you have a heavily modified drag car. I def wont have a 600rwhp supercar, so im gonna go with the EGT. Just seems like i can monitor more things with it. Thanks to every1 for ur advice.

Peace,
Zach

unixpilot

Nahhh, here is the Ubercool gauge......Turbine RPM

Imagine having dual Turbine RPM gauges and watching your new BNR Stage2 sequentials spool up

Now THAT would be something!!


http://www.omori-na.com/catalog/spec...turbinerpm.htm

DBreeze

Mazderati

I couldn’t have said it better. Although I do want to add that you can get a duel gauge pod for the center speaker. Instead of wasting you money on filling that last pod spot why not go with four gauges instead of five? WATER TEMP and Boost are a must, EGT when you now what to look for is a great tool for A/F ratio, and lastly an OIL PRESS. My water temp and oil press gauges are digital read out but analog is just as good. Just my $.02

Good luck
Breeze