Hopefully these other gauges are similarly isolated?

 

someone call RB and find out if they're isolated in a similar way. I'm N/A but considering getting this...

 

After looking at the autometer site, the oil press gage comes with plastic tubing. You can get braided steel tubing for this application or get the hi press isolater with braided steel tubing. The 2 temp gages have no need for anything as they look to be nothing more than thermocouples.

 

correct... and RB gives you plastic tubing for the oil pressure as seen in the pic posted before

I'd change that out

 

the nexus guages would look so much better ... albeit more expensive, but less of a hassle

 

for the record they also say...

Notes:
Requires #4 braided hose and mounting cup. Must be mounted outside vehicle.

 

Do you have to drain the oil to install this kit. I was wondering that since the oil filter is at the top of the engine could you remove it and install the racing beat sensor without draining the oil?

 

No you don't, some oil will come out of the filter though so watch yourself

But since you're removing the filter to put in the sandwich adapter you might as well

 

Installation tip ... you may want to secure the two outside gauges with 8-32 nuts and #8 washers (flat & lock) to keep them from excessive movement (for my liking, anyway) in the pod. Additionally, this allows you to slightly adjust the position of the outside gauges --- for my taste, the faces of all the gauges are now on the same plane.

 

I just installed mine yesterday. When I first tried to install it there was a very small leak behind the oil pressure gauge and I inadvertently kinked the plastic line in that area also. If your going to use the plastic line RB gives you pay extra attention to it while pushing the gauges into the console. To lower my concerns over the plastic line I replaced the plastic oil pressure line with Auto Meter part # 3236 a 6’ braided stainless steel line with connectors. While not hard the confined space in the engine bay made this a bit of a knuckle buster. But all is well now and I like having the extra data. Will be interesting to see the numbers while at the track next year. But on a 50 degree day my oil temperature at 70 mph was around 160, Water was 180-185 and the oil pressure was a about 65-70 psi. Attached are some photos that might be of use to others.

EDIT: Forgot to add, the RB instructions want you to install the oil filter adapter plate before you begin the gauge cluster install. If you do this there will not be any room for tools to tighten the fittings from the cables to the adapter. I recommend running the cables to the engine bay, attach them to the oil filter adapter then attach the adapter to the engine.

 

smart move to replace that plastic line.
olddragger

 

Why would Racing Beat use mechanical gauges in the first place? Electrical gauges are much easier and less of a worry about pinching any lines. I really don't understand why Racing Beat even supplies the gauges. Yes it is nice for some people, but what if you want to use other gauges, or for example electrical gauges? They really should have an option of getting the kit minus gauges.

 

great job Expo! got some zoomed out pics?

 

Anything specific you wish to see? A zoomed out pic wouldn't show much more except my dirty engine.

 

no, zoomed out pics of the guages. maybe some night shots as well?

 

The Racing Beat site has a nice pic of the installed panel:

http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm

I thought I saw some night shots somewhere as well, but not sure at the moment...

 

Thanks Aggie. I actually had the pleasure of seeing Racing Beat's car in person at SevenStock and the install looked pretty darn good.

Just figured not everyone had a chance to check it out so they might like some pics of a member's car with the guages.
Yeah, I remember someone posting night pics but now I don't know where... hmmm....

 

Best I can do.

 

Is the gauge pod available without the gauges and gauge hardware? I prefer red digital led gauges such as Nordskog. These will be easier to read and better match the console.

 

Looks just like mine :-) ... and thanxs for the finding a stainless line for the pressure gauge, expo1 --- just ordered mine.

Another data point: 19F ambient @ 80 MPH ... water 178F, oil pressure 68 PSI, oil temp 150-155F.

 

I just ordered the gauge pod kit from racing beat. Looking forward to receiving it.

 

guys --see what youre oil pressure is at 3K when your oil temps are 180F or above. If you are running 5W/20 oil you may be surprised.
olddragger

 

i like em...i think they look at home right in that spot!!

goes to show you can put other gauges there too!
thanks for the pic

 

If only there was a choice of gauges.

Ultimately, I would like a heads up display like some GM products have where it kicks it up onto the windshield though.

Doesn't the Interceptor-X show sensor info if fed to a computer?

 

me thinks it will be a got spot for those gauges needed when i get the petit..