Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 3rd generation RX-7's => Topic started by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 11:13:28 AM

Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 11:13:28 AM
Hello!

I\'m goning to be fitting a new dash (thanks to Envyd!) soon and I need 2 52mm gauges to fit into the dash, I\'ve also got a twin 60mm a pillar gauge holder to fit. So what would be best to go for and what exactly will i need to get?
I\'m gonna get a whole matching set and quite like these: gauges (http://www.rspec.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_73&zenid=38b99e8e0178765ffb9b89eef4aa514b)

I will be getting a boost gauge but I have a PFC to be fitted soon but I\'m not 100% keen on having to look at the commander to see the water temps as I\'d prefer a back lit gauge so I think a water temp gauge too but what else would be useful. And what adaptor/senders do i need or are recommended?
Car is on twins, decatted, induction etc. No major mods just to help relablilty.

Thanks

Rob
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: grinder on February 24, 2009, 12:42:38 PM
if you have the funds then i would prob go for

1 - wideband
2 - oil temp
3 - oil pressure
4 - water temp

this "should" give you an early indication to any engine probs that might arise
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 12:58:48 PM
whats wideband?
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Prof on February 24, 2009, 01:03:34 PM
Wideband
Boost
Water Temp
Oil Temp
Oil Pressure
EGT
 
Stock water temp gauge is pants - so an aftermarket one will show you much more readily what\'s happening.  Oil temp is something the car didn\'t have - and if you ever do have a problem with the coolant system - the increase in oil temps could be picked up before it could be too late for the engine.
 
Oil Pressure - again stock gauge isn\'t very accurate.  Ditto for boost gauge - but useful to get a peak reading gauge (memory function)
 
Wideband aka Air Fuel Ratio - very useful for tuning and general sanity check
 
EGT - Exhaust Gas Temperature - together with AFR gauge and Water temp - very useful for engine tuning.
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: grinder on February 24, 2009, 01:07:37 PM
^^^^ wot he said !!

although i forgot about the EGT gauge
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: jackaleks on February 24, 2009, 02:59:38 PM
i ordered my gauges from Rspec, make sure you order a 38mm water sender adaptor and the m20 oil sender adaptor (i think it\'s m20!).
 
happily the gauges come with senders, enough wire to go through the dash, cheap .... holders for the bin and gauge cups.
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 03:03:37 PM
Seeing as I will have a Pfc with commander what can that show and what 4 gauges will be best for me? And what adaptors will i need ie oil gauge, will i need a sandwich plate?(think it is called that)
I like the idea of ensuring the car is safe so wideband sounds good, water temp (but the commander will do this, but the commander can be hard to see in the dark??) oil pressure/temp, egt-will this be useful as once the pfc is fitted i\'m not planning on any major mods for a while.

Thanks for the info so far guys, i\'m starting to understand a bit more of whats needed.
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 03:04:22 PM
Cheers jackaleks!
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: jackaleks on February 24, 2009, 03:13:52 PM
their sandwich plate has four plugs so you can get oil temp, pressure and still have room for a third oil cooler! might be worth checking the size of the bolthole on the standard filter pedestal, i think it\'s m20 but i\'m not sure.
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: fil_auto on February 24, 2009, 03:16:41 PM
Good stuff guys - wanted to know about this gauge chat too.....
On a side note - I drove over and met the guy that runs RSpec - Dave I think - seemed pleasant enough... plenty of stock too... liked his Evo\'s though?! #;o)
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: D2BBA on February 24, 2009, 03:18:36 PM
The dash will looking cracking bud!

Ive got oil temp, oil pressure, water temp and a boost gauge in addition to the PFC.  Loads better looking at gauges rather than the screen on the commander.  

My bro runs a AEM Uego for monitoing fueling on the MX5 and its also a big help (although has features you wouldnt need with the Power FC).  He did run an Lumentition wide band which was spot on (but they can be pricy).

HTH!

Chris
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 04:04:55 PM
As i\'m changing dash\'s how hard is it to change the original oil pressure gauge to an after market one? Then I could run 5 gauges!
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Shiuko on February 24, 2009, 05:37:27 PM
Have a look here.

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/spa_gauges/index.html

Post pictures of your work when you\'ve finished.
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bobbit on February 24, 2009, 06:43:27 PM
Nice link thanks, looks like it\'s worth changing the water and oil pressure gauges then, so i can have 6 gauges, wow, gonna be confusing in there soon!
Title: Help and advise on Gauges please
Post by: Bazza on February 24, 2009, 07:25:35 PM
If I had the cash this what I would do :spank :Giggle

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/spa_gauges/index.html