What gauges to get...

[mustang50v8]

so my car is still not done being fixed yet. but the cause of my (EXPENSIVE) problem was an oil pump that blew up.


so i want to get an oil pressure gauge that actually doesnt suck like the one on the dash. and i dont like the single gauge mount that goes on the steering column. so i picked up a bracket that holds 3 gauges and goes into the slot that normally holds the single CD player because have a nice headunit already.

so i figure i can get 3 gauges that give me a meaningful readout of what my motor is doing. i dont plan on boosting for a while if ever. so based on my engine specs what do you guys think i should get.

oil pressure, water temp, voltage?

teksid block bored .30 over
forged stroker crank
forged manley connecting rods
forged pistons (dont know brand yet)
fr500 cylinder heads w/ 2004 cobra valvetrain
10.5:1 compression ratio
high volume oil pump

when its all back together it should be in the 5.1-5.2L range and i hope to be around 380hp but that might be a bit optimistic. i just want this to run reliably and consistantly as this is my DD, without costing me a ton more money. which is the reason i want the gauges

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

All those forged parts and 4V heads just to stay N/A? I'd drop the compression ratio - you can still have a great N/A car at 8.5-9.0 compression - and then you leave it open for future boost. Plus didn't the stock oil pressure gauge tell you if your pump failed? Being on the cd player slot makes it rather out of view - i mean think about how often you look at that area when you're not messing with the radio.

 

[mustang50v8]

well i figure down by the radio i will still see them but not be obtrusive. that way i can still keep an eye on them but still be a sleeper to chumps in civics that want to race at every light because they see my gauge pod.


yeah the motor came with all the forged parts so i want to keep them cause its cool to say it a fully built and forged motor. plus it is durable and can take the abuse. i figure with all the compression and the rev happy nature of the DOHC motor it is a good idea anyway. i just hope it makes good power when i get it tuned.

 

[Dragstr05]

If oil pressure is a must, along with that I would do A/F and water temp. Cant see why you would need anything more than that unless you just wanted a bunch of guages.

 

[BurningRubber]

Why did the pump fail in the first place, do you know?

 

[mustang50v8]

Why did the pump fail in the first place, do you know?

im not sure why it failed. but i have it in the trunk of the car i am currently driving. but the gears in it almost exploded. i will get pictures of it tomorrow.



i dont want just a bunch of gauges. i want useful ones that serve a perpose other than to just have gauges. i really only wanted 2, but the panel i bought has provisions for 3 and i dont want a random hole. but i think an air fuel is a good idea. a wideband for my application is just overkill and expensive. maybe in the future if i boost it i will get a wideband.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

What's a narrow band going to tell you? Your idle a/f? At WOT it's not going to tell you much - which is where it matters.