Aftermarket Guage Questions.

[super302]

I'm getting ready to buy some guages, and an A-pillar set-up, i have a few q's first:

1. Electric or Mechanical (pros/cons)
2. How hard to install
3. How DO i install the guages
4. Where to buy
5. What ones should i get (oil pressure, water temp, ???)

Thanks...and sorry for my retarded questions, lol
-Patrick

 

[HISSIN50]

Patrick, a lot will depend upon what you choose to do. I am an oddball (as you know) and i mix match mech and elec. I like mech temp guages, but I run elec oil pressure gauges if they are in a pod. The difference being the sweep (though AM has full sweep electric guages, but they are $$).

I get my AM stuff through Summit. They should price match anyone else and I kinda like using a big place like that.

How many gauges are you getting? Oil pressure and water temp are high and away the first two to get, IMHO. I use a real voltmeter also. The 88 has vac/boost also.

fuel pressure is also common, though I would do a cowl mount for a permanent gauge (I just use a diagnostic gauge when I want to check it). Oil temp could be cool to know (these motors bake the oil).

Install will depend upon which type (mech or elec) you choose, to an extent.

basics:

grab a Tee fitting for the OP guage. stock hole is 1/4" and many aftermarket senders are 1/8" NPT. So use adpapters to make it all fit. It will be a LOT easier on a fox than a 94-95. If running a mech OP gauge, one can remove the hex tube and tap it instead.

For temp (this is just like 94-95's): put the new gauge's sender in the stock location. If you have a rear port on the driver side rear of the lower intake, you can put the stock sender back there (not as accurate a location, so it matches the inaccurate stock gauge). If not (like on SN's), you can get a t-stat housing with a plug and put the stock sender there.

for lighting of the gauges, use the dimmer circuit. Fuse 13 is for the dimmer - you can use the dead side of the fuse with a fuse tap. cake.
As you narrow down your decision, more specific info can be provided.

Good luck Patrick.

 

[super302]

I'm gonna def. get oil pressure and water temp, not sure if i'll get a 3rd.

Thanks for the info, i got a local thats gonna help me out if i need it (i don't think i'll have a problem, but good insurance)
I like electrical over mechanical....no real reason, just b/c

Thanks JT, knew you'd be the first (only) to reply

-Patrick

 

[HISSIN50]

If you dont mind the full sweep vs short sweep of elec and mech mixing (I dont care cuz I always have a voltmeter and a mech temp guage mixing it up), I would go with the mech temp gauge. For me, I like seeing exact graduations. with many elec temp guages, the needle's width is worth like 20*F. That does not help me much. With mech temp gauges, there is no coolant going into the car (it uses capillary tube with ether, etc in it). So no leak issues. I have had elec temp gauges get funky when the senders get older.

That is just me (just so you dont say that I did not say anything. ).

I am sure this thread will get a lot of replies Patrick. It is a slow night tonight.

 

[89MustangGX]

This is one of those questions worthy of a search. There are pages and pages of info stored on here in other threads.

 

[Insane3D]

I'm in the same boat myself, but I just want oil pressure and water temp. I settled on electrical for my daily driver since mechanical doesn't seem worth the hassle to me. If you are just going to run two or three gauges, have you considered the center A/C vent gauge cage? Personally, I think I'd prefer the gauges there than sticking out of my A-pillar, but I don't race and the GT is my only vehicle, so each person has different needs and preferences.

In my case, I've settled on a set of the AM silver ultra lite gauges, and their matching silver center console gauge cage.

Good luck!