Lets talk gauges

[smoking rr]

I am running 7 gauges right now.
Oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, fuel pressure, volts, boost, and wbo2. Three in the factory location, the where my dash vents used to be. And one built into a factory gauge. I don't "NEED" all of them, but I wanted to watch it all, so now I do.
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

[a2j]

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?

this also works in reverse order. failed water temp gauge/sensor. result = warmer oil temps. In my opinion, oil temp gauge is essential in TT/VR4, not in N/A. I'd think most of us do race or cursing hard once in a while.

[AdamVR4]

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.

Ah, yeah, if you're logging, particularly if you can set alarms, you might not even need the coolant temp gauge.

essential: oil pressure

And avoid gauge pods if you can. You'll thank me later

[j2k4]

I'm logging (HHH, on my netbook), but I may have to change to EVO scan with the flashable.

[AdamVR4]

this also works in reverse order. failed water temp gauge/sensor. result = warmer oil temps. In my opinion, oil temp gauge is essential in TT/VR4, not in N/A. I'd think most of us do race or cursing hard once in a while.

I don't follow. Why would a failing water temp gauge/sensor lead to higher oil temps? If your coolant temperature gauge fails, why would you keep racing? Is that the only reason you think an oil temperature gauge is essential in a TT?

[j2k4]

Ah, yeah, if you're logging, particularly if you can set alarms, you might not even need the coolant temp gauge.

essential: oil pressure

And avoid gauge pods if you can. You'll thank me later

I'll thank you now, if you'll tell me why.

[AdamVR4]

I'll thank you now, if you'll tell me why.

The pod might look good initially (or it might not depending on your installation skills), but it won't survive the test of time like the rest of the interior will. Really, they're kind of tacky and draw a lot of attention. Everyone seems to love them at first but grow tired of them. If you're going to replace the center gauges anyway, if you've got a pod, you're talking about 5+ aftermarket gauges inside the car.

I've got 5 gauges from making this mistake. My EGT gauge is worthless to me and the boost gauge is superfluous since I have the Blitz DSBC-R... The boost and EGT gauges were the first two I bought and I put them in a pod. Might as well have flushed that $400+.

Just get three and put them in the dash: oil pressure, coolant temp, WBO2... Of course, the WBO2 isn't all that useful unless it's right in front of you (and even then...)... Hence why I've got fuel pressure in the dash.

The minimum option would be to get an oil pressure gauge and put it in a pod, but...

[j2k4]

The pod might look good initially (or it might not depending on your installation skills), but it won't survive the test of time like the rest of the interior will. Really, they're kind of tacky and draw a lot of attention. Everyone seems to love them at first but grow tired of them. If you're going to replace the center gauges anyway, if you've got a pod, you're talking about 5+ aftermarket gauges inside the car.

I've got 5 gauges from making this mistake. My EGT gauge is worthless to me and the boost gauge is superfluous since I have the Blitz DSBC-R... The boost and EGT gauges were the first two I bought and I put them in a pod. Might as well have flushed that $400+.

Just get three and put them in the dash: oil pressure, coolant temp, WBO2... Of course, the WBO2 isn't all that useful unless it's right in front of you (and even then...)... Hence why I've got fuel pressure in the dash.

The minimum option would be to get an oil pressure gauge and put it in a pod, but...

Okay - all of that noted, Adam - thanks.

I'm not into overdoing it, either - but I'm still new enough need the advice.

[AdamVR4]

I know that answer was about as convoluted as it could be...

Let us know when you've come up with a plan and we can discuss it further.

[a2j]

I don't follow. Why would a failing water temp gauge/sensor lead to higher oil temps? If your coolant temperature gauge fails, why would you keep racing? Is that the only reason you think an oil temperature gauge is essential in a TT?

sorry, I was not clear enough. More appropriate scenario would be if water cooling system stopped working and gauge failed to show that. I can see more reasons for having an oil temp gauge. Like how well your oil cooler performs.