Lets talk gauges

[j2k4]

My experience with the automotive aftermarket is as old as I am, so-

Gauges - apart from cosmetic considerations, I'm sure some brands are preferable to others, some offer better/worse value per dollar, etc., etc,. etc.

What's your preference and why?

Also - what gauges (for TT/VR4) are absolutely necessary, and which are optional, in your opinion?

Example - I will have a dual-pod pillar mount (plan there is A/F and boost) and also plan to replace the three dash gauges - so I would go with the standard stuff, like OP, CT, and maybe EGT.

What do you think?

[FeaRpb]

Boost/Water Tempt/Oil Pressure

And I would only use Defi. But Defi doesn't seem to have imperial gauges anymore so IDK who I would go with at the moment.

[AdamVR4]

Boost can be monitored with a boost controller...

essential:
Oil pressure
Coolant temp

next highest priorities:
Fuel pressure
WBO2

I've always really liked my greddy gauges (boost, egt, coolant temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure). They did cost ~$1000 though. I don't have anything bad to say about the AEM WBO2, either.

[FeaRpb]

I wish they still made gauges.

[DocWalt]

Stack gauges. I agree with Adam about which gauges you need, but I'd prefer the boost gauge to be an actual gauge instead of looking at the controller.

[Valhallaz]

I've got boost and afr on the pillar, oil press, water temp and oil temp in the center. I can check volts from either the turbo timer or the palm logger.
I cheaped out with the 60mm v2 stri's. They appear to be acurate, and no issues in a bit over a year. And IMO, 60mm just fit the center holes (and my eyesight) better.
At some point I'll pull them and blacken the bezels.



Yeah, yeah, the vents are dirty...

[a2j]

essentials: oil temp and pressure. water temp.
if you have an aftermarket controllers: a/f ratio, boost, fuel pressure.
and I also have egt to get more feedback.

[j2k4]

Boost can be monitored with a boost controller...

essential:
Oil pressure
Coolant temp

next highest priorities:
Fuel pressure
WBO2

I've always really liked my greddy gauges (boost, egt, coolant temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure). They did cost ~$1000 though. I don't have anything bad to say about the AEM WBO2, either.

I'll end up with FP under the hood once I do AFPR, but what's the upside with WBO2, Adam?

I haven't gotten that far into things, yet, so...

Oh, I should mention I've decided to to flashable ECU, if that matters.

[AdamVR4]

essentials: oil temp and pressure. water temp.
if you have an aftermarket controllers: a/f ratio, boost, fuel pressure.
and I also have egt to get more feedback.

While an oil temp gauge is the next one I will buy, I have a hard time calling it "essential" unless you're racing for extended periods of time. In most instances on the street or at the drag strip, if your oil is getting too hot, you'll see an increase in coolant temperature and a slight reduction in oil pressure. Have you seen a situation where your coolant temperature stayed in the normal range but the oil temperature was sky rocketing?

I'll end up with FP under the hood once I do AFPR, but what's the upside with WBO2, Adam?

I haven't gotten that far into things, yet, so...

Oh, I should mention I've decided to to flashable ECU, if that matters.

I don't know all the features of the flashable ECU, so this may or may not be applicable to you... You won't get much of an argument from me for the WBO2... I ran all my fastest times without it and I've never blown a motor tuning on NBO2's (lots of 3S's, some DSM's)... If you're not logging, there's not much reason to get a WBO2. Once you start logging, it will allow you to maintain a much more consistent A:F than NBO2's will.

[R/T93]

You are right, Adam. The water temp has more a tendancy to possibly get hotter than the oil during racing. I just know with my mild setup after a half hour run my oil temps are 110c and water temp is likely the same (330 on the factory needle and both fans on), completely acceptable. No aftermarket water temp in mine and never worried about it.