Boost Gauge: Electrical or Mechanical?

AmBo · Apr 26, 2006

I'm being told mechanical is the way to go. Just wanted to confirm. Thanks!

DBMSTNG · Apr 26, 2006

mechanical is cheaper. it's easy to install, and i see no reason why an electronic version would be any better. you surely can't go wrong with the mechanical gauge.

sgarlic · Apr 26, 2006

The only reason I would use electronic gauges is for things that would involve liquids being plumbed inside the car (oil, coolant, fuel, etc.)

speedfreak98r · Apr 26, 2006

DBMSTNG the pic in ur sig is truly f'd up. I despise spiders, and the thought of biting into one like that, and tasting the....the...th.

the98stang · Apr 26, 2006

AmBo said:
I'm being told mechanical is the way to go. Just wanted to confirm. Thanks!

The electonic gauges are no better than the mechanical gauges. Autometer makes some good, cheap gauges.

AmBo · Apr 26, 2006

I'm going to go with some cobalt guages. Mechanical Boost but I don't know what 2nd guage to go with! I was thinking fuel but they are like $200. Oof! What else would I need aside from boost being blown?

the98stang · Apr 26, 2006

AmBo said:
I'm going to go with some cobalt guages. Mechanical Boost but I don't know what 2nd guage to go with! I was thinking fuel but they are like $200. Oof! What else would I need aside from boost being blown?

oil pressure gauges are always very handy. You should also get a water temp gauge, and A/F ratio gauge

the98stang · Apr 26, 2006

AmBo said:
I'm going to go with some cobalt guages. Mechanical Boost but I don't know what 2nd guage to go with! I was thinking fuel but they are like $200. Oof! What else would I need aside from boost being blown?

oil pressure gauges are always very handy. You should also get a water temp gauge, and A/F ratio gauge

the98stang · Apr 26, 2006

AmBo said:
I'm going to go with some cobalt guages. Mechanical Boost but I don't know what 2nd guage to go with! I was thinking fuel but they are like $200. Oof! What else would I need aside from boost being blown?

oil pressure gauges are always very handy. You should also get a water temp gauge, and A/F ratio gauge

Firemanz · Apr 26, 2006

AmBo said:
I'm going to go with some cobalt guages. Mechanical Boost but I don't know what 2nd guage to go with! I was thinking fuel but they are like $200. Oof! What else would I need aside from boost being blown?

Mechanical boost and electric fuel pressure are a MUST with S/C'd rides. Too much money riding on that engine and you'd rather spend the $200 on a gauge that can save you several grand in the long run IMO....

TweekedGT · Apr 26, 2006

I have an electric Boost gauge, Autometer C2 but it is actually mechanical. You have to plumb into a vac line with a t fitting. I don't know if there is an actual true electric boost gauge out there.

BennyBlown2v · Apr 27, 2006

TweekedGT said:
I have an electric Boost gauge, Autometer C2 but it is actually mechanical. You have to plumb into a vac line with a t fitting. I don't know if there is an actual true electric boost gauge out there.

Yeah, there are. There is a separate sending unit (sensor) which you put into the intake/Tee off vaccume line for full electric gauge, then wires from that go to the gauge. The electrical connection on our gauges (i have the same one) is just for the light.

AmBo · Apr 27, 2006

So if I get two guages, I should go with Boost/Vac (mechanical) and Fuel Pressure (electrical)? My friend says Oil Pressure is more important that Fuel Pressure. Thoughts?

Fuel Pressure is like $200. Ouch...

RoadconeTuning · Apr 27, 2006

those a/f guages are useless... nothing more than a light show... but im going to get one because i think they look funny

AmBo · Apr 27, 2006

RoadconeTuning said:
those a/f guages are useless... nothing more than a light show... but im going to get one because i think they look funny

Who said ANYTHING about air/fuel? And why the hell would you get an a/f guage on a N/A setup? Is money burning that much of a hole in your pocket?

Firemanz · Apr 27, 2006

AmBo said:
So if I get two guages, I should go with Boost/Vac (mechanical) and Fuel Pressure (electrical)? My friend says Oil Pressure is more important that Fuel Pressure. Thoughts?

Fuel Pressure is like $200. Ouch...

Oil pressure IS important, but remember, there's already one in your stock instrument cluster. At least you can see what your pressure is now.

Your vehicle doesn't come with a fuel pressure gauge so there's no way to see if your pump's giving out or if it's clogged while under boost.

No fuel under boost = BOOM.

AmBo · Apr 27, 2006

Firemanz said:
No fuel under boost = BOOM.

Why do you gotta scare me?

What gauges are you running bro? I'm leaning towards boost and fuel. Then down the road I can get oil pressure and wideband a/f. That's $600 of gauges right there!

Firemanz · Apr 27, 2006

AmBo said:
Why do you gotta scare me?

What gauges are you running bro? I'm leaning towards boost and fuel. Then down the road I can get oil pressure and wideband a/f. That's $600 of gauges right there!

Not trying to scare you homie, just don't want you to learn an expensive lesson. I have electric fuel pressure, mechanical boost, and an A/F gauge I got for $10

I do plan on taking out the A/F and getting an oil pressure gauge eventually. It's not high on the priority list though.

DropTopPony · Apr 27, 2006

AmBo said:
Why do you gotta scare me?

That's $600 of gauges right there!

cheap, cheap, cheap....is that the noise your hearing under your car?

Mustang5L5 · Apr 27, 2006

AmBo said:
So if I get two guages, I should go with Boost/Vac (mechanical) and Fuel Pressure (electrical)? My friend says Oil Pressure is more important that Fuel Pressure. Thoughts?

Fuel Pressure is like $200. Ouch...

I run a mechanical oil, coolant and FP gauge setup on my Fox. I prefer the mechanicals over the electrics due to cost and range of needle sweep. The mechanicals range is greater allowing you to be more precise with your measurements.

I have my mech FP gauge out on the cowl, i prefer it this way but the oil and coolant temp gauge are in an A-pillar.

Despite what everyone says, no coolant comes inside the car on a mechanical coolant gauge. A probe is inserted into the intake and capillary tubing transmits the heat back to the gauge.

As for mechanical oil pressure, run braided stainless line and you shouldn't have a problem. Sure it's expensive, but the cost of 6 feet of braided line plus a $40 gauge is still cheaper than the $200 or so some of these electrical gauges go for. But this is all my preference.

PS. the factory oil pressure gauge is basically an idiot light. It points to the middle if you have pressure or 0 if you lose it. WHat i like about the mechanical gauge is that you can see every little twitch of pressure. It helps you because you can tell instantly if something is wrong if you see the pressure slightly lower than it usually is one day vs waiting for it to completely fail on you before the factory gauge shows you. The only 4.6L with an actual REAL oil pressure gauge in the dash are the '96 Cobras.

Boost Gauge: Electrical or Mechanical?

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