Hi all,

Im toying with the idea of getting a centre pod and three gauges for the Scoob at some point, but know nothing about them.
I think it would be nice having a boost gauge and an oil temp gauge so I know when I can boot it etc....but what would be the third one? Is it possible to get some kind of knock sensor gauge maybe?
I dont need any kind of fancy ones really, just a pretty budget install, just so I can see whats going on.
Also, Ive not a clue how/where to fit their cables to...?!

Can anyone help with a bit of basic info, or point me in the direction of a website?
Any suggestions of the third gauge, and a 'basic' make of gauge etc...

Many thanks in advance
Mark...

 

Probably air/fuel ratio or oil pressure as the third gauge.

I have a set of Autometer Phantom gauges, and am pleased with them - as long as you can live with Imperial units. They aren't the cheapest, but they aren't frighteningly expensive either.
I'd suggest an electric oil temp/pressure as this way you won't get warm oil on the dash in the event of a leak!!

You will need a couple of adaptor bits to plumb them in, but nothing too serious. (This is reasonably standard among gauges)

I got one of mine 2nd hand, and the other 2 on a group buy.

There's quite a few threads making installation sugestions, so I'd suggest a quick search (assuming it's working!)

 

Thanks for the reply dnb.

Warm oil all over the dash??!!
Are you serious?!

I really dont have a clue how these things work Im afraid.
Thanks for the suggestions re the 3rd gauge and the 'make'
Probably not the question to ask here, but what does high/low oil pressure mean?
And the air/fuel ratio, I also wouldnt know what was good or bad...
(also not very mechanical as you can see!)

Maybe I'd better not bother then eh?!

Thanks though...

 

The knocklink you can get a sensor for - completely different unit and you can get a lambda link for fuel/air mix if you want, they have LED's on that light up to tell you of seriousness (if that's a word).

As for the gauges, Boost / Oil temp / Oil pressure, normally the best ones and only ones you can make use of (specially if your not on track). Blitz do some cheapish ones and the HKS bright ones are superb (but expensive), I'll not mention DEFI as you did say you wanted cheapish ones and 650 quid for a set with centre pod doesn't sound like it fits the bill.

 

I'd suggest:-

Knocklink
Boost
Oil Temp
Oil Pressure
Air/Fuel

Defi's, Blitz and HKS are great gauges and look a millions bucks, but that's coz the cost that much. I'd look at the Autometer or even the dual SPA digital guages.

I didn't fancy the centre pod, so I mounted an Autometer boost gauge and SPA digital Oil Temp/Pressure gauge on my A-pillar. I mounted my Knocklink behind the steering wheel as this should be in your line of sight.

Stefan

 

High oil pressure good, if low oil pressure then one thing it could indicate is that the bearings on the big end are worn so not as much back pressure.

Air/fuel ratio, you have a sensor in your exhaust (lambda) that measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas, too much oxygen in the gas indicates a lean mixture ie not enough fuel injected into the cylinder. Running lean causes cylinder/piston temps to rise which could cause the mixture to ignite before the spark plug fires which puts pressure on the rising piston, not good at all.

An air/fuel gauge lets you keep an eye on the mix.

 

Thanks for all the replies and help.

Ok, couple more questions then...

Whats the difference between electrical and mechanical gauges? (like on Scoobymania website)
And I also spotted the Defi Link display on the same website, which says will display lots of different things at once.
What are these like to fit, and are they any good?

Cheers again
Mark...

 

Mechanical gauges require no power (apart from the illumination) for example a mechanical boost will have a pipe connecting the back of the gauge to the inlet manifold, and the pressure or vacuum from the manifold moves the needle.

Electrical gauges have a sender which converts the pressure or temperature etc into an electrical signal which is then wired to the gauge (or control unit with defis) and the needle pointer is moved electrically to represent what the sender is reading. They are generally easier to install and can be more sophisticated like the peak settings and replay modes that defis have.

The defi display isn't a bad idea but I'd prefer analogue gauges they're easier to read with a quick glance which is why digital speedos never took off.

 

.....got the standard Defi triple-set centre-top mounted on my MY02 on Friday - they look awesome and the oil temp one in particular is an eye-opener.....

they are backlit (contollable with the 'bright' switch), and the startup routine is pretty sweet! professionally fitted at Nitosport, not cheap though