Author Topic: what gauges would you install  (Read 5568 times)

October 05, 2009, 07:33:10 pm

truckinwagen

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what gauges would you install
« on: October 05, 2009, 07:33:10 pm »
I am planning to put a custom dash in my car when I re-wire it(gas to diesel swap)

I have speedometer, water temp, oil pressure and EGT gauges already on the shelf, but I wanted input on what else would be nice in the cluster.

this will be a daily driver, with a budget in mind.

thanks for the input,
-Owen
83 Opel Kadett Diesel

Reply #1October 05, 2009, 07:50:11 pm

truckinwagen

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83 Opel Kadett Diesel

Reply #2October 05, 2009, 08:09:32 pm

Vincent Waldon

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2009, 08:09:32 pm »
I'd suggest:

- a fuel gauge   ;)
- volts... electrical system is so important on a diesel, especially in cold climates
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta

Reply #3October 05, 2009, 09:22:38 pm

Rabbit TD

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2009, 09:22:38 pm »
I am planning to put a custom dash in my car when I re-wire it(gas to diesel swap)

I have speedometer, water temp, oil pressure and EGT gauges already on the shelf, but I wanted input on what else would be nice in the cluster.

this will be a daily driver, with a budget in mind.

thanks for the input,
-Owen
If it's going to eventualy be a turbo engine you'd want a boost gauge also.  If you just want something else to look at an oil temp. gauge to fill an extra hole also.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2009, 09:25:38 pm by Rabbit TD »

Reply #4October 06, 2009, 05:08:09 am

gilligan5000

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2009, 05:08:09 am »
I have :

top: Boost,Oil pressure, Volts
bottom:EGT, Oil Temp

All but boost and EGT can be found easily on big old audi's or cabriolet's in the yard.

I was also thinking of getting a 2 1/16" clock-ometer out of a GTI...Just because they make me laugh :)

Reply #5October 06, 2009, 12:11:20 pm

truckinwagen

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2009, 12:11:20 pm »
it will be a supercharged engine(at least to begin with, might put a turbo on it too at some point) so a boost gauge is in the works, just cant find one that looks good with the gauges I have that is not a million dollars.

same with fuel, need to find one that fits for a reasonable price.
BTW, does anyone know what resistance the stock fuel sender works at?

I hadn't thought about a volt gauge, not a bad idea.

as for oil temp, I might throw one in, but my days driving an aircooled have given me a nose for oil that is too hot.
83 Opel Kadett Diesel

Reply #6October 06, 2009, 02:32:03 pm

GEE-BEE

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2009, 02:32:03 pm »
boost psi / egt

oil psi / oil temp

water temp / volt

I'am not on a budget so the best I could find for my center console was from McNally

785.00 Shipped for the set

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Reply #7October 06, 2009, 03:27:57 pm

truckinwagen

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2009, 03:27:57 pm »
yeah, I have been looking on ebay(sometimes you get killer deals on good quality gauges) and have spent about $150 including shipping for my oil pressure, water temp, speedo(electric), tach and EGT.

I still need to get the senders for the EGT and speedo though.

still on my list are fuel level, boost, and perhaps oil temp.

for the boost I am contemplating two gauges for the eventual twin charge, one after the turbo and one after the supercharger.

-Owen
83 Opel Kadett Diesel

Reply #8October 06, 2009, 05:22:31 pm

Rabbit TD

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2009, 05:22:31 pm »
yeah, I have been looking on ebay(sometimes you get killer deals on good quality gauges) and have spent about $150 including shipping for my oil pressure, water temp, speedo(electric), tach and EGT.

I still need to get the senders for the EGT and speedo though.

still on my list are fuel level, boost, and perhaps oil temp.

for the boost I am contemplating two gauges for the eventual twin charge, one after the turbo and one after the supercharger.

-Owen
Egauges online has just about every gauge type there is from all the different companies and pics. to choose what looks good to you plus different lighting schemes.

Reply #9October 06, 2009, 05:32:09 pm

Doakster

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2009, 05:32:09 pm »
I'll be going with Isspro gauges EGT, Boost and Water Temp (because i don't trust my in dash gauge), i just need to figure out how and where to tape into the coolant system for the temp sender. You can order isspro gauges that match the stock gauges perfectly in lighting, dial and the needle.

Going to mount them in an original votex center console with a 3 gauge pod, and reposition my radio down to the votex console as well.
1991 VW Jetta 1.6TD (Formally an ECO), Giles LDA Pump and Injectors, Techtonics 2.25" Down Pipe and Exhaust system, Rebuilt Trans with 3.94 final drive and a Peloquin Limited Slip Diff, Front H&R Sport Springs, MK4 VR6/1.8T front brakes, Single Round Headlight Conversion.

Reply #10October 06, 2009, 05:51:40 pm

truckinwagen

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2009, 05:51:40 pm »
I plan on making a new dash insert(the plastic that surrounds the cluster and holds the switches, radio and AC controls)

I will mount the new gauges where they can be seen through the steering wheel, and put the switches to the right of the gauges(I plan on re-wiring the car from scratch to get rid of the CIS-E clutter) I will retain the wiper and turn signal controls on the stalk, but everything else will be on rocker switches(except for the starter pushbutton) in the dash panel.

as for the radio, I am not too sure, I don't think it will fit in the center console that is in my car(the spot above the ashtray is not tall enough) but I am sure something will come to me.

I am completely eliminating the stock cluster, so matching it is not an issue, for the moment I am just looking for black faced gauges with a black bezel, 90* sweep for water temp, oil pressure/temp, volt and full sweep for everything else(except for the super cool bayliner Tach I bought)


I think I figure out what I want in the dash, now all I have to do is get a couple senders, a fuel level gauge and an oil temp gauge.

-Owen
83 Opel Kadett Diesel

Reply #11October 06, 2009, 09:22:30 pm

Possum79

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2009, 09:22:30 pm »
Sense you are not using any of the original cluster what are you going to use as a speedo?  I have wanted to redesign my dash(never will happen but wish it did) and was wondering about the speedo.
1979 VW Rabbit Diesel L
My car may be ugly but im addicted to it.

Reply #12October 06, 2009, 09:59:55 pm

Rabbit TD

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2009, 09:59:55 pm »
I'll be going with Isspro gauges EGT, Boost and Water Temp (because i don't trust my in dash gauge), i just need to figure out how and where to tape into the coolant system for the temp sender. You can order isspro gauges that match the stock gauges perfectly in lighting, dial and the needle.

Going to mount them in an original votex center console with a 3 gauge pod, and reposition my radio down to the votex console as well.
Egauges seels the adapters, tees and elbows also if you want to keep your original gauge too which I did.  Autozone has them also of course.

Reply #13October 07, 2009, 07:16:36 am

lord_verminaard

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2009, 07:16:36 am »
Besides the stock cluster, I am adding an Audi triple gauge set which is Volts, Oil temp, and Oil Pressure.  I am also adding Boost and EGT gauges as well, all are VDO brand so they work with the stock senders.  :)

I have NO IDEA where I am going to mount all of them though.  The Triple set can go where the radio was, and I can install the radio in the center console, but that leaves two more to put somewhere.

Then I gotta teach my Wife how to read all of them, since it will be her car after all.  :)

Brendan
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Reply #14October 07, 2009, 09:25:28 am

Rabbit TD

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Re: what gauges would you install
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2009, 09:25:28 am »
Besides the stock cluster, I am adding an Audi triple gauge set which is Volts, Oil temp, and Oil Pressure.  I am also adding Boost and EGT gauges as well, all are VDO brand so they work with the stock senders.  :)

I have NO IDEA where I am going to mount all of them though.  The Triple set can go where the radio was, and I can install the radio in the center console, but that leaves two more to put somewhere.

Then I gotta teach my Wife how to read all of them, since it will be her car after all.  :)

Brendan
Consider getting a gauge pod, they are made to fit in different locations that fit your car best.  Check out Glowshift on the web.  I got one of their 3 gauge top of dash pods and it works fine in my Rabbit and cost next to nothing compared to a lot of places.  It also covered the big cracks in the dash padding.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2009, 09:30:10 am by Rabbit TD »