hi all
as you guys probably noticed i am asking lots of questions lately but i rather ask and get it right+ i dont know much about these cars+i had my fd for a month so please be patient with me :D
i have decided to get 3 gauges as i have got only stock at the mo
it will be:
-boost gauge
-water temperature gauge
- and have no idea what third one is most important(dont want to have milion gauges everywhere in the car so the 3rd one must be a neccesity gauge-please advise)
why three?
i want to blank this ugly hole off and here\'s my next question:
can you tell me where to get a pod/tray that will fit this hole? maybe i can get w whole set(gauges,tray) to just put in?
(http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5244/dsc00082bw2.jpg)
and the last:
is wiring these little gizmos difficult? should i go to specialist with it? how much it would roughly cost me?
thank you
Right, I\'d say oil temp, and you can get a 3 gauge holder from anywhere just try ebay to start. Depends how good you are with electrics but its pretty simple stuff wiring gauges up.
ebay - checked nothing there mate they have some pods etc but nut the one i need..:(
if your going for the oil temp and oil pressure you`ll need a sandwich plate that goes between the oil filter and the block, iv got one lying about somewhere if u want it bud...
i\'ll probably install:
-boost gauge
-water temperature gauge
-oil temperature gauge
do i still need this plate?
It will make life easier for getting the oil temp, all you do is fit one of these between the oil filter and the car and it allows you to to fit a sender straght in.
Oh and is this what you mean
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Triple-Instrument-Gauge-Holder-DIN-Radio-Size-New_W0QQitemZ220077640153QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36681QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
thx!
interloper393 how much for this sandwich plate?
hows £30 sound if i cn find it lol?
you can have a look mate, i\'ll let you know whan i got the gauge(still need to decide what to get)
id recommend oil temp, oil pressure, water temp and a air/flow meter so you cn see if the engines running lean, you cn set these to beep when it hits danger level before blowing up yer engine lol
and what about wideband o2, and a wideband guage? what r they for?
He means air fuel ratio meter not air/flow meter.
Afr tell you whever you are running lean or rich. But to have any kind of acuracy it need to be wide band. I think it is better displayed in a figure rather than a needle gauge.
If you only have three gauges i think boost, oil pressure & oil temp.
You definitely need a boost gauge. I\'d say oil temp as well, and then water temp. The stock coolant temp gauge is a bag of old sh!t, it\'ll only let you know you\'ve overheated after it\'s too late. The stock oil pressure is usually a bit random, too, usually cos the senders\' gone lame, but for me I\'d prefer to know the water temp. I think the oils pumps pretty robust, you\'ve got a fair idea it\'ll hold good pressure even if the stock gauge doesn\'t show it. If you want to only fit them in the DIN slot above the stereo, I think you can only get three 52mm gauges in there.
What happened to your centre console dash thing, btw? Wasn\'t it bright red in your steering wheel thread?
thx this is what im gonna get
-boost gauge
-oil temp
-coolant temp
and maybe if i find out more about wideband o2 sensor/gauge ill have that later on..
Nik da Greek
yes your\'re right :) my interior is in the color of my car bright red. this is an old picture, thats how it looked when i bought it, i got lots of old pics and needed to find one to show this hole :D
odd... my post wasn\'t registered... huh.
nevermind... basically ^^^^ what they said :yes
Quote from: Timmy;504580He means air fuel ratio meter not air/flow meter.
Afr tell you whever you are running lean or rich. But to have any kind of acuracy it need to be wide band. I think it is better displayed in a figure rather than a needle gauge.
If you only have three gauges i think boost, oil pressure & oil temp.
yeah soz i was a tad tipsy :D the good old bbq was to blame lol
interloper393 have you got this plate then?
ok guys i need some serious help now
i bought:
water temperarue gauge
oil temperature gauge
and boost gauge
i\'ve decided to install water temp and oilk temp jhust above the radio(i got a DIN blanking plate for this nast hole, made it myself) and boost gauge right next to all the main gauges(speedo,rev etc) so i can watch it whilst driving.
now:
i\'ve recieved first two and still waiting for boost gauge but i want to install other two..the thing is i have no idea what, where..etc..
that\'s what i have:
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7746/dsc00032hi7.jpg)
and this is the manual i have recieved with gauges:
(http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/130/img015fd2.jpg)
the both have the same parts and same manuals so im confused as they r for something different. i know someone posted little how to but everything here is different..:(
please help...:(
The sensors themselves are probably identical as they are both tempreture.
I would say the wireing is trying to tell you:
Black = ground
Red = Live off the ignition
Yellow = Live off the head/side lights
Blue = to sensor
ok but which oner r they in the car? where can i find them...btw what about sensors? where to putt those, will i need something else apart from what i\'ve already got? has anyone installed it before?
You can use a sandwhich plate that goes between the block and oil filter for the oil temp. And a hose adapter in the radiator hose for water temp. Or remove the stock water temp sensor, note the one that goes to the ecu the one for the stock gauge.
Theres a wire that goes to the headunit you can splice into for the headlight live. You may need a multi meter to test.
I got an ignition live off the fag lighter.
Its picture 6 and 7 that have the key info, the rest show you how to put it in your dash and the others say disconnect the battery before messing about.
The gold things in the plastic bags are the actual sensors, not sure where to put them, but its important you get it right, to make sure you get the right temperature - you want to measure the oil temp as close to the engine as possible rather than say in the oil cooler where it\'ll be... cooler. :)
Some people put oil temp sensor under the oil filter, but there are other ways.
Personaly I would fit an oil pressure rather than oil temp..... the oly time an oil temp realy plays a roll is if you are in to driving the car hard. where as oil pressure can be moniterd all the time and is the first thing to move should you have a problem with the oil system (as the stock gauge is cr@p & jumps between 0 & 4 while driving!!)
But if you go for a power FC you can moniter the water temp from the commander, which means you can run an iol temp gauge aswell then ;)
Jono
Jono i have already bought the so i will have to install what i already pourchased and maybe something else in the future...
at the mo i havent got a clue how to even start..
Timmy where would i find these cables? would they be somewhere under the dash? or do i need to run new cables in some dodgy places in the car?
ok got my DIN plate with gauges already in place, wires connected but now i need to extend them and connect to something but dont know where..:( anyone?
(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9762/dsc00eeeee040oz8.jpg)
First you need an oil sandwich plate. vendor above will sell them or try the wanted section.
it sits under the oil filter and you plug your sensors into it, then take a wire from each sensor to each gauge.
for the water sensor in the middle of the engine bay you have a cap which is on top of the oil filler neck, this has places to put the water sensor.
You can feed the extension (BLUE WIRE) from the engine bay sensor to behind the front wheel arch then into the cabin above the glove box.
Black goes to ground
yellow constant power feed
Red needs power when the ignition is turned.
But I would say if your unsure get a sparky to do it any mobile auto sparky could do it.
cheers
I reckon you have gone with the right gauges. The stock oil pressure gauge is absolutley fine and accurate, it\'s usually the sender that plays up. Get a new sender from mazda, then when you can afford it, get a wideband lamda sensor with AFR gauge.
Eddie! that was kind of info i needed !!
ill have the oil sandwich plate tommorow, where and how do i need to connect this blue wire to the sensor? which end? shoul i solder it?
and the water sensor can i install it there?(i have eliminated ASt and this nipple is blanked off now...
(http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1806/dsc00069wj8.jpg)
and what about the wires? where do i find them? i mean where in teh car? it sounds so simple but i just have never done it, i\'d like to try to do it myself...
RobbieRX-7
i have water and oil tempereature gauges, i am not going to use an aftermarket oil pressure gauge..
i will try to get wideband when i have some money, as you said, when i can afford it, at the mo i need to buy few things (like IC or BOV) and they would take priority before wideband...i\'m gonna get it bit later on..
Hi Sickboy
Glad I could help.
Right here goes
Oil temp
step 1
Make sure sensor fits into the sandwich plate, I didn\'t solder my connections just crimped on a connector. The copper coloured part goes into the area you want to read temp from, the silver smaller thread on the sensor is the connection part for the wire to the gauge, get some small eye loop connectors which fit around the silver part then bolt them in place with the nut you have been supplied with in the packet with the sensor.
step 2
Find a route for the wires into the cabin, as mentioned I used the passenger side grommet near the fire wall on the wing side and feed the wires into the wing behind the wheel arch liner.
(remove the passenger wheel and the arch liner and you will see both grommets from the engine and into the cabin.)
step 3 connect this wire to the blue wire on the gauge. ( make sure you get the right wire to the right gauge other wise you\'ll get mixed up)
Water temp
step 1
(the area you circled in green is the filler neck I was talking about, from memory around the side or back of the filler neck is a alan key bolt that can be removed and my sensor went in here to read my water temp. ( i know its a good place for the sensor as I have a apexi commander and the temps read the same on the gauge and commander so must be accurate, so its not the nipple you use for the ast but round the back or side, have a look you\'ll see them.
step 2
Find a route for the wires into the cabin, as mentioned I used the passenger side grommet near the fire wall on the wing side and feed the wires into the wing behind the wheel arch liner.
(remove the passenger wheel and the arch liner and you will see both grommets from the engine and into the cabin.)
step 3
Connect this wire to the blue wire on the gauge. ( make sure you get the right wire to the right gauge other wise you\'ll get mixed up)
Concerning the power for the gauges.
Behind the stereo you will find all the power needs you require.
The wires that supply power to the stereo would be ignition power, constant power form the battery and ground
Step1
Do you have a multimeter?
If so with the keys out of the ignition check and find a 12V supply if the ignition key is out then this must be a feed from the battery which holds a constant power supply that the gauge needs, and this should be supplied to the yellow wires from the gauge.
Step 2
Ignition 12V supply, now this wire should not have a 12V feed with the ignition off, so find a wire which has a 12V feed with ignition on but does not have a 12V supply when the ignition is turned off (no need to start the car just turn ignition onto position 2 so lights on dash appear.
This wire should go to the red wire on the gauges.
Step 3
Find a negative (usually black) which is a ground and attach the black wire from the gauge to this.
Think thats it really
As mentioned if you get stuck get someone with electrical knowledge to sort it. Its easy to do
I think that covers it all
Sorry for any spelling mishaps been on the pop tonight so will read again in the morning.
hope that help.
that is exactly what i needet to know, i was scaret tthat i will have to run each cables through the car..:) i\'ve go a multimeter mate, i really apppriciate you spend some time writting this.
i have got last question - i didnt ask at the first place because im still waiting for the housing for it and im not gonna do it just yet but what about boost gauge? i have go this :
(http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8733/dsc00041ug0.jpg)
this is the manual for it:
(http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/979/img018zl7.jpg)
i think this little silicone pipe goes somewhere to UIM but what about wires? r they the same? can i connect them with the wires from other gauges?
cheers
Whilst your at it you may as well get the silicone pipe from the engine bay to the cabin.
Yes power is the same requirements i would imagine as the other gauges, I took it from one of these nipples which have the small blue pipes on in my pic. one is blanked of just remove the blank and add the silicone, the other one goes to the recirc valve.
The white t piece in your pic is if you need to tap into a vac line which we don\'t as we have spare nipples :)
Glad to be of help.
This group has been a source of help for me for 4-5 years now its nice to be able to help someone in return, so when ever I can i do.
Cheers
thank you!
i will wait till i get a pod for my boost gauge and do them 3 at the same time! som i have them wired in one place:D
thank you again !
Eddie...
sorry mate im such a noob...or my meter doesnt work or im doing something wrong..or i cant use it or everything ...
ok i tried to find the live/ignition wire/grount -no luck..i dont know what im doing wrong..maybe i just cant use meter or something:(
these are all the wires from behind the radio:
(http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7236/dsc00dadaa042mf6.jpg)
purple wire has a piece of tape on it and i think it says "ign" which iam assuming stands for ignition, but when i touch the red meter rod to it and black rod to the piece of metal that is inside the hole i dont get no readings :(
same with live+ i cant find grounds :( i found one coming out of the radio but its not connected to anything :(
I see behind the hand brake you have you stereo wires, the black block on the right top of the pic.
Try these for your power wires.
Cant tell whats what from looking at the marks youve placed.
cheers and at least your trying so no worries asking we all learn by asking questions mate.
ill try this black block tommorow and we will see
the wires i have marked are the wires i tried for power...the thing is the purple wire has got this "ign" written on it and it gos to undearneath the gearbox console so i have assumed this is the wire for ashtray light...
but ...
i have turned ignition on touched black rod of my meter to the metal thingy inside, touched the red rod to the wire and didt get any readings...i\'ve assumed that maybe i cant use a multimeter(touching wrong ground or setting it wrong - i set it to DC)..:(
ill try the block tommorow...
cheers
:) got it! well it was like you said in that black block but red is ignition and yellow live, can i cut them cables make a joint using connection block and feed my gauges from there? would it be ok?
Good glad you got them yeah sorry I always get them mixed up, Dam you don\'t want me as a bomb disposal type person :)
Power is power, they will be fine I route mine form the stereo wires and have had no ill effects.
cheers
cheers mate!!!
im only waiting for my sandwich plate (guy who was gonna sell it to me just doesnt replies to my messages) and ill start doing my gauges!
that was really helpful mate thank you!
I just get a ign live off the fag lighter. All you have to do is pop it out of the dash.
I\'ve done the same but I\'ve put it off a relay not to overload the supply on that line.
For the water temp merlin motorsport make a pipe tee that you bolt into the silicon hose.
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/COOLING-Hose-Adaptor/c20_312/index.html?osCsid=b49bb21faa0586fa264a6aae5faafb2c
or
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/SAMCO-HOSE-Self-Sealing-Take-Off%27s/c16_2661/index.html?osCsid=b49bb21faa0586fa264a6aae5faafb2c
Shaun
Eddie mate....
i have installed my gauges today, connected everything apart from sensors(but i got cables for it)
the thing is the is some bolts on the filler neck but the too big for my sensor, i installed sensor in the nipple where the overflow tank was originally plugged itn to...(eliminated an ast so i got fc filler neck now)
how did you do urs? have you got pictures?
(ill post some pics of my gauges installed tommorow :)
(http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/4764/dsc0ewewew0046pi7.jpg)
:D:D:D:D
just need it for my Oil temp sensor..well would it fit?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-RX7-RX8-Miata-3-6-CX7-Oil-Cooler-Sandwich-Plate_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33613QQihZ014QQitemZ330246406837QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW