Adding More Gauges

[Beamer]

Well I want to add a couple of gauges like some of you may have already done. I want to get an oil gauge and thinking either a tranny temperature or volts gauge. My only question, since I'm not too sure on how it works, is what is required to get the gauges to work. What has to be done so I can get a reading for my oil and either of the other too.

Thank you in advance.

 

[bufordtpisser]

Most aftermarket...........

Most aftermarket guage kits come with all of the needed sending units and adapters. For the oil pressure guage, you usually install a "T" or "Y" adapter so that you can retain the existing sending unit as well as the unit for the aftermarket guage. As far as the volt gage, usually can be connected to the back of the lighter as this is usually a good source of full system voltage. Check with the manufacturer of the guages that you would like to purchase.

 

[Beamer]

Ok, I thought most come w/ the needed parts and what not. Not sure what manufacturer I want to go w/ yet, anybody have a suggestion?

Going to get the pillar pod off of LSKoncepts so I need gauges that fit those. I'll probably got w/ the oil and trans. temp, not really worried about the voltage situation and can always add that later on anyway.

 

[bufordtpisser]

Preferences

After market guages are usually a personal preference due to the different style faces and lighting options. I would ask Ken @ LS for suggestions.

 

[Quik LS]

a word of warning....

adding guages that only require an electrical tap is not too hard, just spending some time in the wiring diagrams to find the right wire to tap

adding guages that require you to tap into oil lines, coolant lines, ..etc is a much more difficult job.
- first - make sure to get the guage that uses remote sending units - meaning they tap into the line, and only a electrical connection runs back to the guage. Some models actual run tubes or lines back.

- second - before buying your guage spend some time looking where you would tap.


I added a fuel pressure, A/F ratio and boost guage to mine -> http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/Lincoln_ls_A_Pillar/

 

[2001LS8Sport]

a word of warning....

adding guages that only require an electrical tap is not too hard, just spending some time in the wiring diagrams to find the right wire to tap

adding guages that require you to tap into oil lines, coolant lines, ..etc is a much more difficult job.
- first - make sure to get the guage that uses remote sending units - meaning they tap into the line, and only a electrical connection runs back to the guage. Some models actual run tubes or lines back.

- second - before buying your guage spend some time looking where you would tap.


I added a fuel pressure, A/F ratio and boost guage to mine -> http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/Lincoln_ls_A_Pillar/

+1 BIG TIME! Great advice!

Fuel pressure guage MUST be electric! You cannot have a fuel line running into the interior of the car. Autometer makes a fantastic one.

Same with oil pressure...if you run a mechanical line into the interior, you run the risk of a leak.

Mechanical water temp and oil temp (including tranny) are extremely difficult to package...and quite honestly are unnecessary these days. The electrics from Autometer, etc are just so good now. With a mechanical guage, you must run a capillary tube that comes as part of the guage. It CANNOT be changed in length. It is difficult to route. And the fittings are already on the unit and cannot be removed. So...you must drill a very large hole in the car to route the tube to where you want to install it. It's just not worth it.

I use the Autometer Phantom series fuel pressure and boost guage on my 04 Cobra. BOTH are electric. The fuel pressure guage uses a pressure transducer (sender) that I have remotely mounted away from the engine for vibration purposes. The boost/vacuum guage uses a MAP sensor that I have mounted under the dash and uses an electrical connection for the guage and power and taps into the factory boost line under the glove box. It works fantastic and has such extras as playback memory for max boost and a warning set light you can use. Neither are cheap guages, but they are the only ones I would recommend.