Should I get Mechanical or Electric gauges?

[John Smith]

Hi,

I am going to be purchasing an oil pressure gauge and a water temperature gauge soon, and was wondering if I should get mechanical or electric. The guy who works on my car suggested I get mechanical for the Temp. gauge, but didnt say anything about the oil pressure gauge. What do you guys think? I am leaning towards mechanical for both, since I believe I remember hearing that they are supposed to be more accurate.

Thanks,

 

[DropTopPony]

Here ya go...just discussed it yesterday

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=620672

 

[rpburnette]

I don't have gauges in my car, besides factory, but hopefully whenever I have the money to do serious engine mods, than I will go electrical. I do research for a living so I work with mechanical and electrical guages all the time. I would prefer electrical gauges b/c of the simplicity. It is a lot easier to run wires than tubing. As for the accuracy, I don't know about automotive gauges, but most gauges used in industry and research are going to electrical b/c of the improved accuracy. I don't think accuracy would be a huge problem with automotive gauges. If the guage is off by 1psi or 5 degrees temp. it isn't really going to matter that much.

Anyway, just my 2 cents worth. Hey, I am bored at work right now, just had to type something

 

[jeffnoel]

Go electric, mech gauges bring fluids into the cockpit and if that little plastic hose breaks your spoog'd with oil.

 

[elite130]

I used a mechanical water temp gauge and a mechanical vacuum/boost gauge in my old v6. I used the mechanical water temp gauge because it was a full sweep gauge (im not a fan of the short sweep gauges) plus the accuracy. I also loved the fact that there were no wiring or dependent upon senders, it is just plug and play. It also worked when the car was off. I used the mechanical boos gauge because it is a lot less expensive and not much harder to run a small plastic tube from the engine bay to the gauge. It worked great. I had them in my car for 4 years and had no problems with breaking tubes. I would not get a mechanical oil pressure gauge for the fact stated above. I don't want oil in my car. Just my $0.02.

 

[Mike97gt]

i go with electrics for one reason.

no extra tubes to break. getting 200 degree coolant in you car spraying around is not much fun. plus you hate to break down for that reason.