Just wanted to see what your opinions on certain gauges were? Defi, Hks, Greddy, VDO and autometer and others..

I've read up on VDO, whats the story on them? And what gauges are you guys running?

 

I use defi hands down my favorite guage system.. for stand alones the BLitz BLM or Apexi version I EL are a good chioce. the BLITZ have a great flexability in mounting options and solutions

 

There was a long gauge topic just a few months ago, let me see if I can find it....

Got it: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484011

I think the "Autometer vs. The World" discusssion doesn't really need to be revisited but I must say that I am VERY impressed with my Autometer Nexus gauges. Everything is quality quality with very nice senders, weather tight connectors, logical wiring, etc. The gauges themselves are clear, easy to read and have a style that really fits the FC (when you set the colour to orange or red/white). Don't know how they would look in the FD though.

 

I have all Greddy gauges in my car, but I don't think I would recommend them to anyone. I originally got them because they were the median when it came to price, but all things considered when I build my STi I will either probably go with Defi. No real reasoning behind it, I've just heard good things about Defi and its about the same price range as Apexi and HKS. With Greddy's customer service and the lack of dealers in the GTA it will be the last time I use them.

-Kenji

 

paying similar money for a product of lesser value, in most cases analouge and/or 35 year old technology...
for the same price , if not less most of the time, you get up to date digital system with higher resolution and faster response.. in the case of the newer HKS/defi/apexi products, you get record, playback, diasychain, higher quality fitment , mouting sdolutions and addon systems.

I've built and used both.. Autometer is a sad product for the cash.. perfect example of a name driving the price rather then quality/performance..

 

anyone going to post their setup?

 

I'm using a VDO boost gauge in my FD and it's scary how it matches the stock gauge font/colours. In the end, that's really all that was important for me. Putting a green on top of a red condom (comes with it) over the bulb actually gave me the exact same colour of orange as the factory lighting. I dont have a good pick of it but I'll take some more later.

 

Come to think of it, it was a yellow condom on top of a red condom lol.

 

I'm running the same boost gauge as RXcetera, but I'm just using the red condom, a little bit more red, but, it's better than green.

 

anyone know of gauges that are orange with a white needle, like oem FC gauges?

 

I'm using the Defi Bf series guages fuel, boost and a haltech wideband. I love the guages and would have not gone any differnt

 

Older Omori and some Tomei guages are orange but the backlit needle is a bit outside the scope. the BEST fit is the older, pre Crono HKS guages.. they came in a black with green back lit or black with orange back lit and lighted needle, they have a programable warning and playback function as well.. almost a 100% match. you can find them on Ebay easily enough and I think my buddie, who I get most of my parts from in Japan, just sold a used 2.5bar boost guage w/ sensor for ~ $125

 

yea i know of them i just cant seem to find them, ill probably go with newer omoris, but i wish they would stay lit during the day. anyways thanks.

 

Which series do you have mounted? Vision?

 

Is it possible to take a night shot of your gauge lit up?

 

Yeah, I was supposed to do it last night but got caught up on ebay (as usual). It's a VDO Vision. It's actually made to match 80's Porsche 911 gauges... which look alot like FD gauges.

Well... now I know how frustrating it is to take dark pics with a cheap digital camera. Hopefully you get the idea from these horrible shots:











I couldnt get any clear dark shots but the colour/brightness/bleed thru is just like the stock ones. I have it wired to the dash lights, so it dims with the rest.

 

wow, thats awsome.

 

...

 

the dimming part, and that it looks oem, and how FDs dont have boost gauges stock.

 

Hey what else do you need to install the gauge? The temp/pressure gauges dont look as nice though

 

Well, as always us old guys go old school! Autometer Sport Comp gauges, mechanical oil pressure, water temp, and fuel pressure, electric oil temp. I have seen too many people with electric gauges for the 2 main ones (oil press and water temp) think they have lost an engine because of a bad ground or something. Remember there is a reason new race cars run old style mechanical gauges.................

 

VDO Vision are pretty damn nice.

If you ground the gauges properly, you shouldn't have to worry about "thinking you've blown a motor" Maybe in a race car having hot oil and coolant entering the cabin is cool, but in a street car I think I'll take the possibity of a bad ground.

 

Did you make that gauge panel yourself?

 

I designed it, and made the template, but when I was building my motor, my buddy made it and polished it.

 

that's a really nice steering wheel you got there will