From reading around it looks like having an accurate aftermakert boost gage is a must. Are there any other gages that you consider a must (Water temp, oil pressure, EGT, etc))? I will consider getting another if it is useful/criticall. The gages I am interested in getting are the Autometer sportcomp or Ultra-lite series.

 

Autometer are not very accurate, Personally, I prefer auccuracy over looks, so I went with VDO, cheap, and accurate, Why else would Porsche, Audi ect. use them. (other then being german)

As for gauges, I would get Boost, EGT, Oil Pres. Oil Temp, Coolant Temp. AFR(may aswell get a wideband with data logging), And fuel pressure Gauge.

 

where did you get the VDO gages from Nismo? Also which 2 are the most usefull then if I were only to get 2 for starters?

 

2 useful are boost and water temp .

 

I bought my Gauge off PD_day on the forum, had it in his hands next day, and shipping was great.

Was something like 65 with taxes, and shipping.

 

whoa winter, first time i see you change your avatar

 

Yes, My new toy....had it out today and man was it a blast! Now I need some mods!!!!!

 

ultra-lite is good quality autometer.

I don't have any expensive calibration equipment to compare them too, but my ulta-lites give the same reading as my haltech.

 

What are the Ultra-Lites going for?

 

More than you can afford, Pal. Autometer!

 

smoke them ....

 

A lot of people say this, but no one seems to have any proof. Some of their brands (ie. AutoGage) may not be the best, but I think it's a rather unfair generalization to say that all AutoMeter products suck. Especailly considering how many race teams (including a small organization called NASCAR) use them.

Because they are geographically convenient.

 

To whom is accuracy more important Porche and Audi or as Aaron correctly points out every Nascar team. In other words, with tens of millions of dollars to spend on their cars they choose that gauge. (granted I imagine there is a set contract for gauges much like there is with Edelbrock to supply the intake manifolds)

As for costs new, I think my ultra-lite boost gauge was something like $120. My autometer phantom oil pressure gauge was about $150. I bought my ultra-lite a/f gauge used, but I believe new they are less than the boost gauge.

I think a lot of people are critical of autometer because of the gauges that show both vacuume and boost and the needle will not necessarly be at exactly zero with the car off. What people fail to realize is that springs store expoentially more energy based on their amount of movement. In other words an off the shelf gauge with a maximum reading of 35psi will be less accurate at 1psi than it will at 20psi.

 

For what its worth, in the race car we run ONLY Autometer Sport Comp mechanical gauges for Water Temp, Oil Press, Oil Temp and an electric Volt gauge and 10,000rpm Monster tach

 

I said that Aaron, also I never said they sucked, said they have a reputation for being inaccurate.


Just like my precission measuring tools, I prefer the German, and Japanese tool. Kinda like a Swiss clock/watch, they've done it right for so long, and are good at it.


It's funny you guys bring up the NASCAR thing, they spend like 1000's everyweek to calibrate these things, sure it needs to be done, thats when you bring in the Origin of Manufacture as well, it's geographically closer, and they want to support the US economy. No difference.


Sure the more expensive ones are accurate, you pay for it. But i can pay Half asmuch, have a gauge thats just as accurate, but doesn't looks that great, to me looks don't matter, if you've seen my car, you should know that

 

What I mean is that everyone seems to say they are inaccurate (to nitpick, you didn't say they had a reputation of being inaccurate, you inferred that they are inaccurage) but no one has any real proof. There are a few stories of AutoMeter gauges that don't read quite right, but millions of them out on the market that are perfectly fine. I've never really seen any official gauge tests that report accuracy.

 

FYI, the VDO electric gauges that came with my race car were crap, innacurate and unreliable. Lost all my oil pressure then got it back?! Another point, if you want as close to accurate as you can get, regardless of the make, you have to go mechanical.

 

I have Mechanical Gauges, and thats what intend to keep purchasing.

 

Hmm....The ultra-lites must have come down in price. I am looking at a Ultra-lite mechanical boost gage for like $52 USF or $46 for the sport-comp from summit racing. Still wondering what the priority on gages are? So far it sems like boost then water temp?

 

Yeah, and maybe a Oil Pressure, the stock ones are crap and don't work very well.

 

I use Boost, AFR, and oil press, I've always foung these 3 systems to bee the most conditional. meaning that under certian condistions these gaues will give u the best idea of what happeneing.

I know 3rd gens doesn't have boost gauge < needed
The oil preassure guage is very inaccuate < needed
And any car that is modded needs an AFR guage just cuz it makes sence that it's hasnt' been tested for 300 000kms as such there for isn't as reliable

 

I know Im going to get flamed on this one but im going for it anyways...
How accuarate do you guys need these freakin gauges anyways? I mean I have autometer ultra lite carbon series in my 7 and whats the difference if I look at the gauge and see 12 psi, but its actually 11.5647 - seriously. I mean I don't think there is one person on here who can say that they keep THAT close an eye on their gauges that supreme accuaracy is of upmost importance. Otherwise everyone would be driving into trees becuase no one would be watching the road.

And the truth is that if ANY gauge company sold blatintely inaccurate gauges they wouldn't be around long enough for anyone to hear about them

 

Some gauges are out by a few psi, not making accusision towards any company ingeneral, but some are way out.

 

The only critical gauges to us are water temp, oil temp and oil pressure. A drop of 5 lbs of oil pressure at the low end can be critical, as can running 10-15 degrees of higher temps. On a street car those fluctuations are normal, but racing everything is being stressed to it maximum.

 

Nismo, you seem to be implying that gauges for a mass produced automobile would be equivilant to something used in a race car with millions at stake from the perspective of geography being the primary concern. Why do most F1 team's buy spark plugs from Champion in Ohio? We're nit picking, I really think this topic is way overthought by most people. As for mechanical over electric, I'm not sure why mechanical would have an advantage.