3 pod pillars

[ChrisFlo]

I've seen pods that fit up to three guages. I plan on doing a boost guage and air/fuel guage. What else is there that you'd need a third pod for?

 

[Slipstream]

EGT, fuel pressure, oil pressure, coolant temp, tranny temp for automatics, volt meter, amp temp, amp meter, etc. Kind of depends on how far you intend to go with the car. The A/F guages you're probably looking at won't be of much use...they're great for filling an empty pod, but don't expect your common a/f gauge to be good for anything more than blinking lights.

 

[FireyIce01]

EGT, fuel pressure, oil pressure, coolant temp, tranny temp for automatics, volt meter, amp temp, amp meter, etc. Kind of depends on how far you intend to go with the car. The A/F guages you're probably looking at won't be of much use...they're great for filling an empty pod, but don't expect your common a/f gauge to be good for anything more than blinking lights.

I've heard this talk of the a/f guage not working a couple times now... why is that... is it just because the DSM O2 sensor sucks, and you should get a wideband O2 or ?

 

[Slipstream]

I've heard this talk of the a/f guage not working a couple times now... why is that... is it just because the DSM O2 sensor sucks, and you should get a wideband O2 or ?

Correct. A wideband sensor is the way to go if you're looking at a/f gauges. The DSM O2 sensor isn't stepped it's more binary. IE stepped (or linear) would be 0123456789 our sensor is far more crude and is very much an on/off or binary style (okay it's not quite that bad I don't think...but damn close) which would look like 01. So with a wideband sensor you'd get it to trigger multiple times between rich/lean (really rich, rich, kina rich, normal, kinda lean, lean, really lean) where as our o2 sensor is pretty much just rich/lean. I just explained the same thing 3 different ways and probably confused the hell out of you...I should sleep more.

 

[FireyIce01]

Correct. A wideband sensor is the way to go if you're looking at a/f gauges. The DSM O2 sensor isn't stepped it's more binary. IE stepped (or linear) would be 0123456789 our sensor is far more crude and is very much an on/off or binary style (okay it's not quite that bad I don't think...but damn close) which would look like 01. So with a wideband sensor you'd get it to trigger multiple times between rich/lean (really rich, rich, kina rich, normal, kinda lean, lean, really lean) where as our o2 sensor is pretty much just rich/lean. I just explained the same thing 3 different ways and probably confused the hell out of you...I should sleep more.

Actually makes perfect sense to me, being a bit of a nerd, I understand how it's basically telling the computer it's too rich, or too lean, otherwise it sends a "just right" kinda signal, or nothing at all, right?

It's a shame there's nothing that can accurately tell you the exaclt a/f ratio based on the exhaust... but is there any kind of a/f sensor that can go in the intake tract? *shrugs* guess I'll learn more about the damn cars once I get one on the bright side, I think I have found the right one... it's in pasadena... silver 99 gsx, burnt wiring harness, $2000, go me...

 

[Slipstream]

How did the harness get toasted? Oh yeah and if you're buying the line about it belonging to a little old lady in pasadena you're as toasted as the harness But really good luck, I hope it works out. As far as wideband goes, AEM has some nice ones but pricey as usual. To tell you the A/F at the intake would be highly improbable...since the fuel in the A/F equation doesn't get mixed in until later.

 

[ChrisFlo]

EGT, fuel pressure, oil pressure, coolant temp, tranny temp for automatics, volt meter, amp temp, amp meter, etc. Kind of depends on how far you intend to go with the car. The A/F guages you're probably looking at won't be of much use...they're great for filling an empty pod, but don't expect your common a/f gauge to be good for anything more than blinking lights.

I'll be doing the boost guage for sure. Which two of the above would you reccomend most to fill the other two?

 

[Slipstream]

I'll be doing the boost guage for sure. Which two of the above would you reccomend most to fill the other two?

If it were me, I would get an EGT/Exhaust Gas Temperature Gauge (correctly called a pyrometer some places) and an Oil Pressure Gauge to fill the other 2 pods. This way you've replaced the inaccurate boost gauge, you're setup with an EGT gauge to keep an eye on things as you start building up and tuning, and you get an oil pressure gauge to give you real #'s instead of that questionable stock oil pressure guage.

 

[kyledykstra]

I'll be doing the boost guage for sure. Which two of the above would you reccomend most to fill the other two?

I got rid of my useless blinky light O2 gauge for an EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature), and I'll be filling the third hole with a gauge for my transmission temperature (I'm an automatic). If you're 5-speed... I'd say oil pressure.

 

[Defiant]

Actually makes perfect sense to me, being a bit of a nerd, I understand how it's basically telling the computer it's too rich, or too lean, otherwise it sends a "just right" kinda signal, or nothing at all, right?

That's right. It's a Goldilocks sensor.

 

[cuttheduck]

Where are you getting your pod from?

I got a three pod one from lotek and had the bottom pod left "uncut" so I only had room for two gauges (boost control, EGT are the best bet). Then I put a switch on the uncut one for my dual stage boost controller. Also have indicator leds for CO2 sprayer and a few other goodies. You can also mount turbo timers or a nitrous arming switch on that uncut pod. I personally thinks it looks 10x better then having three gauges lined up there looking cluttered. Plus you can always drill out the uncut one for a third gauge if needed. Just a thought

 

[nerfbars]

Sorry to hijack your thread but how do you guys mount your pillars? I cant get velcro to hold the weight of mine and I didnt want to screw it unless I could find something that looked nice.

 

[cuttheduck]

Sorry to hijack your thread but how do you guys mount your pillars? I cant get velcro to hold the weight of mine and I didnt want to screw it unless I could find something that looked nice.

Lotek pillars just use screws w/ matching covers, looks nice, you can't even tell.

 

[Detail]

the blinky blink space ship gauge is indeed worthless. aem uego is pretty cool from what i've heard but rather expensive. you might want to check it out though if your serious about wanting an air/fuel gauge.

mouting: some people screw it on. like me. also i've heard "shoe goo" is the bomb nizzle at mounting. sticks hard, but will let you pull it off if you need to so that you could change a gauge or a bulb or something...find it at Walmart

D

 

[talonstylz]

Most important i'd say is the boost, e.g.t., and the fuel pressure gauge.
That would be my best opinion!

 

[ChrisFlo]

Where are you getting your pod from?

I got a three pod one from lotek and had the bottom pod left "uncut" so I only had room for two gauges (boost control, EGT are the best bet). Then I put a switch on the uncut one for my dual stage boost controller. Also have indicator leds for CO2 sprayer and a few other goodies. You can also mount turbo timers or a nitrous arming switch on that uncut pod. I personally thinks it looks 10x better then having three gauges lined up there looking cluttered. Plus you can always drill out the uncut one for a third gauge if needed. Just a thought

Hmm, not a bad idea. I haven't gotten the boost controller yet but when I do I may just go that route. Do you have any pics of your car with those on?