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!!

 

[JiveMasterT]

id go with mechanical if you can.

 

[Defiant]

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

Ah, you never had a British car. Lucky bastard. Copper tube full of ether, one end at the gauge and the other at the hot water.

But no, I don't know of a mechanical egt gauge.

 

[DSMJim]

Talk about incredible misinformation in this thread!

What do F1/Nascar/WRC/JGTC/Trans AM/F3/SCCA Pro Touring/Dakar cars use for gauges?

Hint: They're not mechanical. They're electric.

If you somehow think that a 50 dollar carbon fiber look Autometer gauge is somehow so much more accurate than a digital pressure sensor, you have some learning to do.

This is true, however F1/Nascar etc etc are not useing autometer gauges my friend.

In the case of a daily driver where Autometer is used (which are pretty cheap crappy gauges comprated to a full data logging system like Motec that is used in F1) the mechanical gauges will be more accurate.

I would run all mechanical myself. Run your fuel pressure gauge on the hood if you really want one, oil pressure inside the car (run copper line, it will never break or pop off) and boost with a vac line to the back. Many people question running oil inside the car and true it doens't sound right, the internal volume inside the line is so small that if it did leak (and I have had one leak on me before because the customer installed incorrectly and pinched the line because he was stupid) it only drips very slightly, and the oil is not hot anyway. Remember the oil does not return out of the gauge (it does seep back) but as soon as you start the car, pressure is built up in the line and the oil doens't go back to the pan and get used so it never really gets hot, so it's no big deal. Some people say it's crazy but its such a small amount, with proper install and material you will have no problem. I hesitate to even say you can run fuel inside the car with the proper parts (braided line, compression fittings etc..) but because fuel is flamable I still wouldn't do it. However oil is not flamable until over 2000 deg.

 

[Bestwestranger]

I have always run mechanical in my car. I did go with electonic once, and quickly switched back to mechanical. I don't like having to deal with sending units that can go out or get clogged, and all the extra wiring can be a pain. Also if you have any kind of grounding issues, they won't read accuratly either. At first mine would all jump around when I would turn on the lights, step on the brakes, or just put a load on the electrical system. Granted, it was an older vehicle, but it could happen to just about anything. I am running Autometer Phantom guages in my 1G, and I like them. They aren't blingy, but they look nice. And yeah, keep the fuel guage outside the car, and use copper to plumb the oil. My buddy had a truck with a oil pres. gauge that had the plastic line that was mounted under the dash, and one day after school I kicked the line getting in, cracking it. A block and a half later my feet and books were getting sprayed with hot oil. He didn't live far, so we got it home. Luckily the truck was a beater and a trip to the car wash cleaned the floor out, but the same could not be said for my new suede Vision Street Wear shoes, and explaining why I need new books was a bit embarassing...

 

[theycallmebruce]

i was looking at the blitz DC turbo timer/boost meter with peak boost setting and warning (among other things, like voltage, in-car temp, lap timer, rev meter).
seems like a lot of functionality for ~$130 bucks.

what are the differences in how the boost is measured as opposed to a mechanical boost gauge with the tube?
is one more accurate than the other?

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Still measures with a vaccum hose.

 

[theycallmebruce]

hmm, well since my car is mildly modified, i think i'd rather go with the blitz.
one less gauge to mount.
i currently have the apexi tt which measures a/f, but my logger can read O2.

 

[eagle_talon90]

Hey everyone, I wanted to know what one all you guys are using, a mechanical or electronic boost gauge. I'm going to be buyin one soon and dont know what one to get. I want an electronic boost gauge because they are easier to install and more accurate i hear. But they are so expensive compared to mechanical boost gauges and i dont know which one to get. My dad works at the local auto parts store and can get me some deals. Im looking at an autometer sport-comp boost gauge but he said it would go for around 200 bucks with a deal. (thats around 135 bucks american). And the mechanical one is only 60 bucks (about 40 or so american). Im kinda on a budget so i dont know if i should spend most of my mopney on the electronic one or get a mechanical one and then with the saved money buy some other parts for my car or not? What do you guys think?

 

[siceclipse]

mechanical Autometer boost gauge hands down.

 

[eagle_talon90]

if i was to get the mechanical one, how hard would it be to install because im by no means a mechanic and dont kno to to much about cars yet.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

I have the Apex'i EL2 Electronic gauges with the EL2 Control box.

I would never buy an autometer gauge but's that's my personal choice, alot of people use them.

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

I use Autometer here, no problems, reliable.

 

[Quasimondo]

if i was to get the mechanical one, how hard would it be to install because im by no means a mechanic and dont kno to to much about cars yet.

They're not difficult to install at all. The VFAQ has about two or three quality install instructions w/ pics that you can use, and if you have any problems, you can always ask us. We won't bite your head off for asking.....we promise...

 

[Ludachris]

There are pros and cons for each, and some opinion too. Mechanical gauges tend to be quicker to respond, not that electronic gauges are slow, but there is no "sending unit" involved. Electronic gauges sometimes have a "peak/hold" feature - sort of like a playback mode so you can see how high your boost spiked. I've heard arguments on both sides as to how accurate one is over the other. I've used both and can't tell much difference. I'll be switching back to a mechanical version in the next week or two myself (Defi).

They're not much different as far as installation is concerned. Both require running a wire or tube through the firewall. Maybe this time around I'll document my installation and post it in the Tech Articles section.

 

[eagle_talon90]

thanks for the input guys, i've decided to go with the mechanical one and spend the extra hundred and fifty dollars ill be saving on other goodies for my car, its not goin to be in till sometime next week though so when i get it ill try to install it and if i have any problems ill come on and ask you guys. Thanks.

 

[Defiant]

Now that I'm too late, I'd also recommend a mechanical. Good for you on your decision.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

so... which one is it? i bought it without knowing there was a difference.. go me

 

[midnght]

mechanical. the electric lines coming out are for lighting the gauge up.


And FWIW, don't use that crappy hose for your readings. Get some better hose from an autoparts store.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Yep thats mechanical. As a rule of thumb for all gauges, if the "source" (fuel, oil, etc) is ran up to the gauge, then it's mechanical. If there is a sender unit that you run the oil or w/e to, and then run wires from the sender to the gauge, then it's electronic.

 

[midnght]

That's it.


Also if you twist on the black housing on the back with the electic wires in it you will get the light to come out. It should have come with a little thimble like rubber cover.

1 green and 1 orange/red

 

[blcknspo0ln]

thx for the help guys, i was hoping it wasn't a mechanical.. aah well

oh, and i cant get this damned bulb out

 

[BoostInsideTSi]

hey if you get this put in soon would you mind throwing up a write-up on how you installed yours. I have the same mechanical gauge, and havent actually hooked it up yet. Thanks, I appreciate it.
Mike

 

[my97mitsGSX]

what is the difference between an electrical and mechanical gauge?

For example, I can understand boost gauge. You can have the hose run to the gauge and read it (mechanical), or have a wire going from the solenoid to the gauge (electrical).

How would oil and fuel pressure work though?

Just curious because I like the Defi D-Link gauges, but they are all mechanical.

 

[kyledykstra]

Lets take the oil pressure gauge as an example.

Mechanical - you run an oil line to the inside of your car directly to the gauge

Electric - There is a sending unit in the engine bay and you only run a wire to the gauge.

Personally, I prefer electric for anything other than boost, I don't want a hose to burst or leak and have oil, trans fluid, coolant, and whatever it is spilling inside my car.

 

[my97mitsGSX]

yeah, so by time oil reaches the line, pressure is lost anyhow, right?

i definitely want electrical, but i like the way the d-links look.. the BF series are imperial units so it doesn't do good to me..

Anyone have experience with HKS CAMP (are they in PSI and F)?

Thanks!