Ok so obviously the first is the boost gauge.

My question is what are the other, must have, gauges?

I have read a lot of people recommend getting a water temp gauge or oil pressure gauge. How critical is this are the stock gauges that crappy?

If I am running an intake, PFC, DP, highflo, catback which gauges are going to be the most important?

I did a search and it seemed that a lot of people are recommending a fuel pressure gauge, an EGT.

Just looking for some opinions, I know eventually I will probably want to have all of the above, but what order should i get them in? and are all the gauges i see people running around with strictly necessary.

 

water temp is probably the second most important cause once the stocker starts moving up, you're SCREWED! however, i see you have a PFC, you know, you can use that to get info if you have the commander right?

 

yes i do that is why i was wondering. i see a lot of guys running both. I actually don't have the PFC yet it is on order and on its way, but I just wanna make sure i have all the gauges I need. A lot of FDs look cluttered with gauges and i wonder how many of those are necessary for a street driven 7. The mods I have are going to be it except for an upgraded intercooler until my engine and/or turbos go.

 

When it comes down to it, all you *really* need is a boost gauge and a water temp gauge. You can linearize your stock water temp gauge, if you wish. There is a good write-up on www.iluvmyrx7.com

 

what about a EGT for tuning? is that important? or should i just have a wideband 02 and call it a day?

I think i am going to do this linearization thing on the stock gauge for my water temp.

 

they can get the from the PFC readout if i'm not mistaken

 

These are the functions that the PFC will monitor:

Engine RPM
Ignition Timing
Vehicle Speed
Air Flow Voltage (Pressure Sensor Voltage)
Injector Duty Cycle
Boost
Knocking Level
Battery Voltage
Intake Air Temp
Water Temp

any1 running a PFC knows this already.

So this is my thinking on my own question. Since my fuel system is stock, I don't need a fuel pressure gauge.
The oil pressure gauge is close enough, you either have pressure or you don't).
Don't need a voltmeter, it isn't that important to performance & the PFC will tell you the batt. voltage anyways.

so i am thinking that the two gauges you want to have a commanding view of are your boost, water temp, maybe your EGT(some people seem to think that this is more an important than others)

how accurate is the water temp gauge when it is linearized? I think between the linearization and the readout from the PFC I should be ok.

Therefore, I am going to buy a Boost gauge & an EGT.

Any more opinions/comments on the subject?

 

An EGT will be next to worthless for you. If you are set on getting a second gauge, get an oil temp gauge.

 

that is an interesting point, maybe i will go with...nothing for my second gauge.

 

Very true. However, it can tell you if you lose a fuel pump, or are leaning out somewhere in the RPMS. That is of course, after you have determined what normal numbers are.. For some people, not all, an EGT can be very useful. In this case though, probably not.

 

but how can i be fast & furious with only one gauge on my a-pillar. :p j/k

well i guess that more or less answers my question. i guess i will just stick with my boost gauge and maybe a fuel pressure gauge when/if i modify my fuel system or go with a FPR.

Thanks for the help.

 

After years of promoting the "stock temp gauge linearization", I've changed my opinion.

IMO, just get an aftermarket temp gauge. It will take far less time to install and will give you visual numbers to read, no interpretation needed.

 

I don't buy that at all. By the time the EGT has changed enough to be noticeably suspect, the damage will already have been done. An a/f display from a wideband would be much more useful for that (or a fuel pressure gauge).

I understand that people trying to run very high power levels would want an EGT to ASSIST in tuning, but it makes a poor monitoring device IMO.

 

I'd think that in almost any scenerio by the time you actually *see* the threatening numbers, it's too late. I have all the above, so the EGT is just another toy to look at.. Not too useful most of the time, but as you build the relationship between the EGT #'s and the AFR's it can be a pretty nifty monitoring device. It's a lot quicker than you would think (Or at least than I thought it would be).. It travels relative with RPM with very little, if any delay.

All in all though, you are correct LOL.. I guess I could have just said that to begin with.

 

Well, you make good points as well. I guess we can both agree that JMunilla94RX7 doesn't need one as his second gauge...

 

agreed

 

anyone else have a write up on linearizing gauges. that link doesn't work anymore.