Need opinions on gauge cluster additions

kazamali · Wed, Aug-18-2010, 08:35:23 PM

Hey guys,

I'm running a AA Twin Screw SC in my e36 and have been using a single gauge cluster pod (boost/vacuum combo) ever since I installed the kit (a MUST for any FI engine in diagnosing issues, IMHO). I want to do a 3 gauge cluster for some more visibility and wanted to know what other two components I should monitor? I'm thinking at least one should be fuel pressure since that's fairly important. Coolant temp/oil pressure/ fuel mixture/voltage(meh).... ??

Opinions, please!

-Kazam

Richardsperry · Wed, Aug-18-2010, 10:58:11 PM

A real water temp gauge and oil pressure and temp. Those will be a lot mire useful than the ones you mentioned.

If you have an OBC you have a voltage display already. (I think it's test 19?)

I've got water temp, oil pressure and temp, AFR, Boost pressure. (Zeitronix ZT2 capable of egt, rpm, alarms...)

das borgen · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 07:22:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardsperry

A real water temp gauge and oil pressure and temp. Those will be a lot mire useful than the ones you mentioned.

If you have an OBC you have a voltage display already. (I think it's test 19?)

I've got water temp, oil pressure and temp, AFR, Boost pressure. (Zeitronix ZT2 capable of egt, rpm, alarms...)

it's 09 for voltage

OBC hidden tricks

kingchris · Wed, Aug-18-2010, 11:41:16 PM

Well since you are FI, you absolutely need boost & fuel pressure. Those should be in sight easily while driving. I would also recommend oil pressure as this is needed for everyone. If you are going to track it get oil temp & water temp. Those could go in the spot under OBC. Voltage is just a bonus as there are other means like the OBC for this.

I have the Euro cluster so the oil temp is right where I need it. If I were doing it I would get a 3 pillar guage as I am not big into the behind the steering wheel. I would put oil pressure, boost, fuel pressure on the pillar. I would then put water temp and voltage under OBC.

kazamali · Wed, Aug-18-2010, 11:54:53 PM

kingchris...I like your suggestions of BOTH locations. I was definitely thinking of doing the 3 pillar thing, but forgot I have room under my OBC. (BTW I was joking about voltage.... it's right up there with washer fluid level...haha)

MPRESV · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 07:10:42 PM

Anyone been successful integrating the 3 pod on the A-pillar and wrapping it in fabric to match the interior? Or are you just throwing the 3 pod over the fabric?

WK446 · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 07:41:58 PM

kazamali: I have 3 gauges, but can monitor 5 different items: voltage/oil pressure, oil temp/coolant temp, and boost. The dual gauges are from Spa Technique (UK) and the boost guage is from VDO. I also run an air-fuel gauge that is portable and removeable (made by NGK and not shown in photo).

You may also want to do a search for the PLX DM100/DM200 gauge - it is a digital gauge that allows up to 4 sensors to be displayed at one time. You have to purchase a sensor package for each sensor you wish to monitor. It is fairly falexible and since the gauge display is made from OLED, it is very thin. Many people have removed the display from the gauge and custom mounted it in their rear view mirror for example.

Since you are running forced induction, I would recommend the following gauges for monitoring:
air/fuel ratio
oil temp
coolant temp
*boost

I normally wouldn't recommend the boost gauge in your situation, but it helped me diagnose an overboost situation and was invaluable.

kazamali · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 08:58:31 PM

@MPRESV - I just cut a hole in the A-pillar cover and mounted my single pod right on top. I opted to use a tension spring to hold the pod moulding over the pillar cover because I didn't like the stupid "bolts" they supplied. Would have looked tacky. I'll have to post a pic.

@WK446 - Your setup looks awesome. I'll definitely check out the OLEDs and see what I can do with em. Sounds like there's about 5-6 general items that I need to monitor:

BOOST/VACUUM
FUEL PRESSURE
OIL PRESSURE
OIL TEMP
WATER TEMP
AIR/FUEL MIX

OahuMPower · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 10:37:50 PM

Kazam. I have a 3 gauge A pillar set of pods I'm willing to sell if you are interested.

I have a cage now, and dont need the pods. Let me know

kazamali · Fri, Aug-20-2010, 11:11:17 PM

Cool, I'm PM ya...

Wed, Aug-18-2010, 08:35:23 PM	#1
kazamali Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	Need opinions on gauge cluster additions Hey guys, I'm running a AA Twin Screw SC in my e36 and have been using a single gauge cluster pod (boost/vacuum combo) ever since I installed the kit (a MUST for any FI engine in diagnosing issues, IMHO). I want to do a 3 gauge cluster for some more visibility and wanted to know what other two components I should monitor? I'm thinking at least one should be fuel pressure since that's fairly important. Coolant temp/oil pressure/ fuel mixture/voltage(meh).... ?? Opinions, please! -Kazam

Wed, Aug-18-2010, 10:58:11 PM	#2
Richardsperry 95 SC M3 Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 56 Posts: 3,531 Reputation: 0 Location: Eldersburg, MD	A real water temp gauge and oil pressure and temp. Those will be a lot mire useful than the ones you mentioned. If you have an OBC you have a voltage display already. (I think it's test 19?) I've got water temp, oil pressure and temp, AFR, Boost pressure. (Zeitronix ZT2 capable of egt, rpm, alarms...) __________________ No matter where you go, there you are!

Wed, Aug-18-2010, 11:41:16 PM	#4
kingchris Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 253 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: DFW	Well since you are FI, you absolutely need boost & fuel pressure. Those should be in sight easily while driving. I would also recommend oil pressure as this is needed for everyone. If you are going to track it get oil temp & water temp. Those could go in the spot under OBC. Voltage is just a bonus as there are other means like the OBC for this. I have the Euro cluster so the oil temp is right where I need it. If I were doing it I would get a 3 pillar guage as I am not big into the behind the steering wheel. I would put oil pressure, boost, fuel pressure on the pillar. I would then put water temp and voltage under OBC. __________________ 98 BMW M3: Cosmos Black w/Magma int. 87 Buick Grand National: Black w/Grey int.

Fri, Aug-20-2010, 07:10:42 PM	#6
MPRESV "What? No. No, no, that is The Pen is Mightier." - AT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 569 In the garage: '97 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Fort Worth	Anyone been successful integrating the 3 pod on the A-pillar and wrapping it in fabric to match the interior? Or are you just throwing the 3 pod over the fabric? __________________ Graham ~ 1997 M3/4/A ~ AST 4100s (Sportline)/Vorshlag Front Camber Plates/M X-brace/Rogue Strut Brace/Vorshlag Wheel Studs/Vorshlag Spacers/Vorshlag RSM's/Ferrea Valves/Supertech Valve Springs and Ti Seats & Retainers/ARP2000 Head Studs/ASC Delete/Custom Velocity Stack Intake/3.91LSD/M Floating Rotors/Stewart H2O pump/Aluminum Radiator/3 Speed Electric Fan (viscous delete)/Dinan Trans Chip/DEPO's with 35w Digital HIDs/Hot Air

Fri, Aug-20-2010, 07:41:58 PM	#7
WK446 Gruppe TS Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 91 Reputation: 0 Location: Pac NW/ GWN Eh!	kazamali: I have 3 gauges, but can monitor 5 different items: voltage/oil pressure, oil temp/coolant temp, and boost. The dual gauges are from Spa Technique (UK) and the boost guage is from VDO. I also run an air-fuel gauge that is portable and removeable (made by NGK and not shown in photo). You may also want to do a search for the PLX DM100/DM200 gauge - it is a digital gauge that allows up to 4 sensors to be displayed at one time. You have to purchase a sensor package for each sensor you wish to monitor. It is fairly falexible and since the gauge display is made from OLED, it is very thin. Many people have removed the display from the gauge and custom mounted it in their rear view mirror for example. Since you are running forced induction, I would recommend the following gauges for monitoring: air/fuel ratio oil temp coolant temp boost I normally wouldn't recommend the boost gauge in your situation, but it helped me diagnose an overboost situation and was invaluable. __________________ 97 Twin-Screw Supercharged ///M3 Saloon* *VEHICLE:* Eurosport High Performance \| Custom ECU tuning by TRM \| AST Suspension \| AP Racing BBK \| Rick Kemph Ported S52 head \| Ferrea Valvetrain \| RMS Headers w/SwainTech coating \| Schrick camshafts \| Riot Racing BBTB \| Supersprint Eurospec rear section w/custom mid section \| HJS (Emitec) race catalysts \| Metrix Motorsport \| Rogue Engineering \| Vorshlag \| UUC \| AA \| JT Design \| Recaro \| SPA Technique \| VDO \| Raid \| Turner \| Castillo Design FXR Retrofits \| Zionsville Autosport \| Stewart Components \| Motion Motorsport \| Z3 steering rack swap *SOUND:* Eclipse \| Dynaudio \| Morel \| Image Dynamics \| Arc Audio \| JL Audio \| Audio Control *OTHER:* Ecliptech \| NGK Afx \| Escort 9500Ci with V1 (backup) \| LI \| Hüper Optik \| Skene Design \| Racelogic PerformanceBox *PHOTOS:* Engine Bay: Click Cockpit: Click Headunit: Click Last edited by WK446; Fri, Aug-20-2010 at 07:53:24 PM. Reason: Added photo

Wed, Aug-18-2010, 11:54:53 PM	#5
kazamali Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	kingchris...I like your suggestions of BOTH locations. I was definitely thinking of doing the 3 pillar thing, but forgot I have room under my OBC. (BTW I was joking about voltage.... it's right up there with washer fluid level...haha)

Fri, Aug-20-2010, 08:58:31 PM	#8
kazamali Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	@MPRESV - I just cut a hole in the A-pillar cover and mounted my single pod right on top. I opted to use a tension spring to hold the pod moulding over the pillar cover because I didn't like the stupid "bolts" they supplied. Would have looked tacky. I'll have to post a pic. @WK446 - Your setup looks awesome. I'll definitely check out the OLEDs and see what I can do with em. Sounds like there's about 5-6 general items that I need to monitor: BOOST/VACUUM FUEL PRESSURE OIL PRESSURE OIL TEMP WATER TEMP AIR/FUEL MIX

Fri, Aug-20-2010, 10:37:50 PM	#9
OahuMPower :FACEPALM: Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 26,550 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	Kazam. I have a 3 gauge A pillar set of pods I'm willing to sell if you are interested. I have a cage now, and dont need the pods. Let me know __________________

Fri, Aug-20-2010, 11:11:17 PM	#10
kazamali Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 40 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	Cool, I'm PM ya...

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