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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: truckinwagen on October 05, 2009, 07:33:10 pm

Title: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen 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
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen on October 05, 2009, 07:50:11 pm
I just picked up this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/US-Marine-Bayliner-Tachometer-for-I-O-motors_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3ca6389d5fQQitemZ260486765919QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear#ht_500wt_1182

I already have a hall sender to use for the hookup.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Vincent Waldon 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
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Rabbit TD 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: gilligan5000 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 :)
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: GEE-BEE 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

Gee-Bee
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen 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
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Rabbit TD 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Doakster 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen 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
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Possum79 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Rabbit TD 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: lord_verminaard 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
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Rabbit TD 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.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen on October 07, 2009, 01:02:10 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.

I got an electric speedo off ebay for like $15, it was originally meant for a motorcycle.
it goes to 80MPH(the speed limit is 55 up here, I know I will break 80, but not too often) and uses an electric sender.

I am not sure if I will buy a sender that hooks up to the speedo cable, or if I will use a hall sender on the CV joint yet, but both are options.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Rabbit TD on October 07, 2009, 07:49:50 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.

I got an electric speedo off ebay for like $15, it was originally meant for a motorcycle.
it goes to 80MPH(the speed limit is 55 up here, I know I will break 80, but not too often) and uses an electric sender.

I am not sure if I will buy a sender that hooks up to the speedo cable, or if I will use a hall sender on the CV joint yet, but both are options.
  Is the speedometer able to be calibrated in some way to suit your application.  I had a cruise control unit one time that used the hall sender setup on an old Sentra, it worked fine mounted on the axel but it didnt need to be calibrated, just maintain the speed it was going, not read it. 
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen on October 07, 2009, 10:25:02 pm
yeah, it has a calibration screw in the back of it, turn one way for faster reading, the other for slower.
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen on October 09, 2009, 02:08:30 pm
well, I made up a quick drawing of what I will put in the new dash.
what do you guys think?
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee139/truckinwagen/dashboard-Model.jpg)
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: rabbitman on October 09, 2009, 03:13:58 pm
Looks good, I've always liked custom dashes and stuff ;D
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: truckinwagen on October 09, 2009, 03:24:09 pm
now all I need to figure out is where I will put all the indicator lights.

I am thinking:
-right and left turn signals
-water/meth sprayer
-radiator fan
-high beams

anything I am missing?
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: Vincent Waldon on October 09, 2009, 04:44:26 pm
now all I need to figure out is where I will put all the indicator lights.

I am thinking:
-right and left turn signals
-water/meth sprayer
-radiator fan
-high beams

anything I am missing?

Rad fan... good!!  I use a lighted toggle for this... the light comes on when the fan comes on, the toggle allows me to turn the fan on by hand for extra cooling during the last couple blocks before I park after spirited driving.  ;)

I highly recommend a yellow "glow plugs are getting power" light... will save your bacon some cold winter day.

You'll also need an Alt light, or your battery won't charge.   :o
Title: Re: what gauges would you install
Post by: macka on October 09, 2009, 06:26:25 pm
don't forget the ejection seat switch  ;D