Autometer or Ford Racing OP and WT gauge

[dec322]

I'm about to order the full a-pillar gauge pod, a water temp gauge, and an oil pressure gauge. I've done a search and have come to this conclusion:

1. The search feature delivers a ton of random information in approximately 4.745 seconds.

2. It would be easier to post this thread and risk being flamed for asking a question that has possibly been asked 300 times.

So. Any preferences on which brand of gauge to get? Also, I'm sure I'm supposed to get an electric water temp gauge. Should the oil pressure gauge be mechanical?

Obviously this is my first time messing with any electrical type stuff so I'm in the dark on what to do or ask.

Thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

It seems to me that AM makes Ford racing gauges.

My personal preference is mech water temp and electric OP. In a pillar, I dont want any leaks (if you can run braided hose, great. Otherwise, ferrules can crack and allow a leak with either nylon or copper tubing). That said, a ton of guys have run copper and nylon with no leaks (I have had nylon line on a car for over 10 years, for instance. But not in the pillar of my stang).

The sweeps are different for most all elec vs mech gauges, so if you want the same sweep, choose accordingly.

My two cents. Good luck with the decision.

 

[dec322]

It seems to me that AM makes Ford racing gauges.

My personal preference is mech water temp and electric OP. In a pillar, I dont want any leaks (if you can run braided hose, great. Otherwise, ferrules can crack and allow a leak with either nylon or copper tubing). That said, a ton of guys have run copper and nylon with no leaks (I have had nylon line on a car for over 10 years, for instance. But not in the pillar of my stang).

The sweeps are different for most all elec vs mech gauges, so if you want the same sweep, choose accordingly.

My two cents. Good luck with the decision.

Hissin, you always come through w/ some good stuff. What do you mean by sweeps? Is it the range of and look of the needle.

 

[HISSIN50]

Yep. Elec gauges normally have about a 90 or 120* sweep (something like that - it's narrow). Mech gauges are often 270*. So like with an OP gauge, mech is nice because you can literally see exactly what PSI you're at. With my electrics, I can interpolate to within maybe 5 PSI (which is fine with me. Knowing I have ~50 PSI instead of exactly 52 PSI is enough for my tastes).

If you wanna see a nice mech set-up, check for pics from Mustang 5L5. Others have nice pillar set-ups too, but I can only think of his right now (I like his gauges).

I personally dont sweat the varying sweeps (with my mech temp and elec OP because I have a volt gauge in each pillar (88 GT vert and 94 GT), so it would create a lack of consistancy even if I ran mech Water and OP gauges.

AM does make a line of full sweep electrics, but they're pretty expensive.

 

[dec322]

I see what you mean. I'm probably in the same boat as you in that I don't care what the exact oil pressure is....I just want to know it is in the general area. The temp is a different story. I want and need to know exactly what the temp is.
I'll check out the full sweep elect. gauges but I'm sure the varying sweep issue isn't a problem. Thanks again!

 

[Tonys96Cobra]

The only thing I dont like about electrics is how the sweep is inconsistent across the board, ie my tranny temp gauge in my truck, the first 3/4 of sweep goes from 140-240, and the last 1/4 covers 240-320. So we have 100 degrees across the first 3/4 and 80 degrees across the last 1/4. So its harder to figure out where it really is because of the inconsistency.

 

[GT_Rich]

I know this thread is starting to compare sweeps and mech vs. electric and all that crap, so I'm just going to jump in and give a vote to AM Sport Comp electrics. I have zero complaints with my setup, and I'd do it exactly the same if I had to do it again.

If you're on a tighter budget and planning to add a matching tach later, you may want to look at those prices now. I know going with the Sport Comp line saved me a hundred bucks on the tach (OP and WT are negligible difference) because I wanted an adjustable shift light, and this was the most cost effective solution to get everything matching - plus they almost match the stock gauges....

 

[mackey]

I personally dont sweat the varying sweeps (with my mech temp and elec OP because I have a volt gauge in each pillar (88 GT vert and 94 GT), so it would create a lack of consistancy even if I ran mech Water and OP gauges.

AM does make a line of full sweep electrics, but they're pretty expensive.

I have the Autometer Lunars and they do have a set distance 15* between each. I think I paid 100 each of them. The money was mostly for the lighting.

 

[dec322]

GT-Rich,

I like the way those gauges look and am looking into the getting the same thing. Question: do they light up when you turn the lights on? I've been reading about gauges and cannot find out if they all light up at night when the lights are on.

I'm still trying to decide on exactly what I want. I know I'm going for an electric OP gauge and I'm kinda leaning towards the electric WT gauge for the ease of the install. We'll see.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Here's my setup. These are mechanical WT and OP gauges. I went mechanical just for the larger area of sweep. You can see the difference between these and GT-Rich's electrics.

I run braided line for the OP gauge. Install wasn't that difficult.

I just ordered a Boost gauge and full triple pillar so i gotta take it all apart to add that in

 

[dec322]

Here's my setup. These are mechanical WT and OP gauges. I went mechanical just for the larger area of sweep. You can see the difference between these and GT-Rich's electrics.

I run braided line for the OP gauge. Install wasn't that difficult.

I just ordered a Boost gauge and full triple pillar so i gotta take it all apart to add that in

Thanks mustang 5l5. They look good...I like the white faces! Can you tell me anything about the gauge illumination? Do they all light up or is that something that depends on the gauge?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Thanks mustang 5l5. They look good...I like the white faces! Can you tell me anything about the gauge illumination? Do they all light up or is that something that depends on the gauge?

Are you referring to the AM gauges??

Yes, they all light up...every style.

Mine are phantom style, so there is a bulb in the back. When you turn on the interior lights, it lights up the entire face. You can change the color by using different bulbs or the supplied bulb "condoms"

Other style gauges have different lighting styles. I know the phantom II gauges look just like mine except at night they reverse so that the face goes black and the numbers are white. Looks pretty cool.

Check out autometer's site for all the different styles.

www.autometer.com.

BTW, i think it was already mentioned but the Ford Racing gauges are just Autometer Phantom gauges with the Ford Racing logo on them...as a result they are slightly more expensive

 

[trents99]

Autometer makes the gauges for Ford. If you're wanting the electric OP then your decision has been made, Ford doesn't carry an electric OP gauge. I found out the hard way after I ordered my mechanical WT gauge. Now though I'm glad I went with mechanicals. I run the braided line to the pillar and my setup looks identical to mustang 5L5's

 

[dec322]

Thanks for the help guys. I've decided to go with electric for both the reason being that I want something just to get by right now. When I'm able to really start putting money in the car I'll go with the white gauges with mechanical for all gauges. Right now I'll stick with black sport comp gauges. It will give me alot more info than my stock gauges are giving me and it will look pretty good (not cheapo).

So GT-Rich, I'm going to be your twin w/o the tach.

Thanks again!! :SNSign: