Electrical or Mechanical Gauges? [Merged 9-6]

[TSiAWD91]

Ok i ordered an autometer mechanical oil pressure gauge today on accident.i wanted to get the electrical,but for some reason i picked the mechanical.anyways,i was wondering if the mechanical gauge is a PITA to install and if i should send back the one i ordered to get the electrical gauge,or if its not too bad of an install.thanks for any help!!

 

[candela]

ive never seen a mechanical water temp or egt...

 

[Awdboost]

Electrical gauges are just as good as mecanical. It's all good. I like electrical gauges because it a cleaner install IMO

 

[c0degsx]

IMO i say get mechanical.,........more accurate and faster response, normally cheaper like everyone said, but a little harder to install. if ure lazy and rich, get a electrical. i was told in auto class the electrical guages are not too accurate.

 

[c0degsx]

also........certain radio signals can interupt the elctric ones

 

[XxRicanxX]

I just recieved my mechanical oil pressure gauge and was wondering if anyone had a VFAQ (or any other webpage that would help) on installing it.

Thanks alot.

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

i would just take off your stock oil pressure sensor. Cuz the stock one does absolutly nothing but go up and down on the gauge cluster. Thats what I did with my apexi oil pressure gauge. Just get the right size fitting for the stock location and your set. Hope that helps.

 

[GSX90]

Originally posted by XxRicanxX
I just recieved my mechanical oil pressure gauge and was wondering if anyone had a VFAQ (or any other webpage that would help) on installing it.

Thanks alot.

Be careful when/if installing a mechanical type fluid gauge inside your car. It can make a nasty mess inside your car if the line breaks or cracks.

 

[XxRicanxX]

Thanks guys. I definetely will be careful. Hot oil a few week away from my face is definetely a hazard. Thanks guys.

 

[98TsiAWD]

Originally posted by KRAZYKOREAN
i would just take off your stock oil pressure sensor. Cuz the stock one does absolutly nothing but go up and down on the gauge cluster. Thats what I did with my apexi oil pressure gauge. Just get the right size fitting for the stock location and your set. Hope that helps.

That most likely wont work correctly, the oem sensor is probably not configured for an aftermarket guage.

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

Mine works fine and correctly.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Yes I would never recommend any mechanical oil or fuel pressure gauges for a street car.

 

[KRAZYKOREAN]

Yes mine is Electrical.

 

[BE4TNUT]

Whats the difference and what do you guys think?

BE4TNUT

 

[NDgsx]

Mechanical gauges you run a copper tube INTO the back of the gauge, so you have oil and coolant inside your car. A lot more chance for something to go wrong.
Electric gauges you install the sender in the thermostat or oil filter housing and run one wire up to the gauge. Much easier to install, less chance for failure, and safer.
Electric gets my vote.

 

[candela]

Well i dont really see how they are less reliable and have more probability to go wrong... Parts are parts and if installed correctly than its just as reliable as any electric its jus tthat if something does go wrong that the mechanical will most likely have more drastic effects =)
I personally like and run mechanical. Cheaper, quicker reacting and they WORK!!

 

[Defiant]

Depends on the gauge- mechanical are a bit faster. Electric can be much more tidy. Some stuff is pre-determined: you don't want a mech fuel pressure gauge inside (gas leak), an EGT doesn't give you a choice (there's an image, how long until someone asks?). A mech oil pressure gauge can make a mess, though usually more of a bother than a problem, and thank god the days of mechanical tachometers are all but gone. Same for speedos, on 2Gs.....
I'd pick electric oil and electric temp, just a personal choice. After not all that long, you'll find gauges are more for confirmation than information, you learn an engine and what it's doing.

 

[candela]

Even though in most cases I prefer mechanical, I agree...nicely said!

 

[NDgsx]

Originally posted by candela
Well i dont really see how they are less reliable and have more probability to go wrong...

All that tubing is a possible failure point. If there is one thing I've learned in the past 4 years it's that whatever you do not expect to go wrong WILL. With an electric gauge the only possible source of a leak is at the sender, with a mechanical gauge you have more areas that could become punctured.
The only way I would ever run a mechanical gauge is if I had -4an stainless lines running to it.

 

[nh98gsx]

what do you guys recommend electronic or mechanical boost gauges,
i'm currently looking at the autometer phantom gauges.
any one have any experence or recomendations?

 

[allwheelTSI]

they both work good,its just a matter of personal preference.

 

[nh98gsx]

how about the autometer phantom gauge in 60mm size, i want something that i can see.

 

[lhhc]

I just got a mechanical oil pressure gauge, but I don't know where to hook it up to in the engine bay. Someone help please!!

 

[CvicKila02]

Originally posted by TurBoGs-T
I personally would go with manual. Work great and are about $400 cheaper. But if you have the money go with the electronic.

TurBoGs-T i dunno if he ment boost gauge or boost controler. I was thinkin on your level a lil while ago but didn't feel like being the one to say it first

As for a boost controler i have a manual one and the other day when i was setting my boost for 16psi it was a b*tch to get in and out of your car every run to adjust your boost. I think i am going to invest in an electronic one.
If you were asking about a boost gauge i wouldn't go with a digital, all the well know people in racing r using sweeping gauges for a reason because its easyer for u to process the infromation quicker than to have to think about it ( with a digital gauge). Just my .02

-Dave

 

[spyder20]

I got my Mech. Oil Pressure Gauge today, I'm not too sure where to install it either...hopefully we'll get some help....

 

[lhhc]

I got a few sources of how to install the gauge. First would be to put a T splitter on the line between the turbo and the oil sender unit. That line is on top of the turbo, behind the turbo, along the front or the chasis to the bottom of the sender unit. The other source says to do this:

Brass T - A Brass T will hook up on the back off the block 1/8bsp is the thread pitch. A 3 way splitter will have to be used. 1 for your stock Oil Pressure Gauge, 1 for your Oil feed line (1/4 barb fitting) and the other to a brass extension from the block. I like to use High pressure line from Napa (350psi Tranny line 5/16) about 4.5 feet you will need. I also flare the fitting on the turbo side and double hose clamp it. For oil return, you will have to install a fitting in your oil pan and create a return line for oil drainage from the turbo. It's pretty easy to do. On the Brass T, most fittings come in 1/8 NPT, and some people like to buy BSP to NPT adapter, I usually run a 1/8th die over my NPT threads and it works like a charm.

Gotta try one of the two Or just get an electrical gauge and tap into the elec. sender to the stock gauge. Let me know if you find anything else out.

Thanks