What are everyones opinions on gauges mechanical or electrical? Also what is the best all around gauge when looking for quality and accuracy while retaining a reasonable price? Im not into racing but want something more reliable than the stock unit. Any input would help a lot. Also I have a dumb question : If you get mechanical does it mean it does not have a light on it and wont be seen at night?

 

electrical is more accurate, especially with aftermarket sensors (vs OEM).

anything but autometer for accuracy. Greddy makes some of the best, but they are pricey.

 

Defi gauges are the ****! They're about the same price as every other japanese gauge, but they have so many cool features.

 

Mechanical means that the information is sent to the gauge through a mechanical means, such as a spinning wire that goes to a spedometer, or an air tube that leads to a boost gauge. Electrical means that there is an electrical wire leading from a sensor to the gauge. Mechanical gauges tend to be more reliable, do not need electrical power to operate, and therefore will not go crazy if your electrical system has problems. Electrical gauges are usually easier to install and calibrate. The lighting is a separate issue, as both types of gauges may or may not have lighting.

It seems that most people like Defi, GReddy, Omori, and SPA Techniques. You can find most of these in the RX-7 Store on this forum. Personally, I like the electrical gauges better because I don't need a mechanical adapter to make them work with a particular setup. I'm putting a complete set of SPA Techniques gauges in my 20B car, but you may not like these because there is no external control for the backlighting. Gotta like the tach/speedo, though.
http://www.spatechnique.com/tachs.html

Auto Meter isn't bad, just as long as you stick with the Pro Comp series (Pro Comp, Ultra Lite, Carbon Fiber). The others, like Sport Comp, are not very good.

 

sweet, where can I get the spa gauges from?

 

Where can I get an inexpensive guage pod for 2 guages to mount on my A-Piller? I want a clean install.

 

Autometer sells one that's pretty good.

 

I don't like the spa gauges except the tach which is nice, theyre too digital.
I like the guages w/ needles more

 

Truechoice has good pricing on the SPA gauges. They carry all the gauges, but I'm not sure if all of them are listed on their web site.
https://secure.vbcomm.net/store/index.asp

Yeah, the SPA tach has a needle, which I think is the most important thing to keep analog. I'm not sure how I'm going to like the SPA digital boost gauge, but we will see. IMO the readout on the other gauges doesn't really matter either way because the important thing on them is the programmable warning lights. BTW, did I mention that the tach/speedo has a function to measure your acceleration times (0-60, etc.) and 1/4 mi times?

For those interested in the SPA gauges, here are some things that may not be covered on the web site:

Good:
Programmable unit readout (English/metric)
Programmable sampling rate for readouts
Each programmable warning or shift light also has a separate programmable output for an external lamp
Programmable speedometer for different tire/wheel sizes
The acceleration function on the tach/speedo lets you enter start and finish speeds between 0 and 200
Speedo reads up to 999mph or 999kph
Peak recall
Small size but very readable
High quality
Good email technical support

Bad:
No provision for external lead to operate backlighting
Mounting holes are strange sizes for those in the USA
LED display washes out if temp gets above 122 deg F

 

don't see anything there. I found another place that had the oil and water temp for $190 which is the one I want. what do you mean the led washes away at at 122F ?? it'll aways be above that...

edit: never mind I found them. more money though. I searched on the net and found some diessal place that has them cheaper.

 

Oops, I meant LCD instead of LED. Yes, the LCD washes out above 122F. This means that if you get into your car after it has been sitting during a really hot day, the gauge may not be readable until it cools down. The good thing is that the LED warning lights still work fine, so at least you will stay out of trouble. Most of the people here in Florida who have SPA gauges on their street car use a cooling fan behind the dash.

 

o, LOL. I thought you ment something happends when the gauge reading temp hits 122. the air temp never reaches that here

 

this has nothing o do with the topic at hand, i just wanted Evil Aviator to know that someone out here recognizes his picture of Iron Maiden's "Eddie" from "Aces High". what a great picture that is.

Nick Holloman
88 Turbo ll
(currently asthmatic)