Myardor

iTrader: (7)

Not including a turbo, which 3 gauges would one install?
ie no turbo

A. Type of gauges
1. Oil pressure
2. Oil temp
3. Air/fuel --vacuum
4. Volt
5. Water temp
6. other? what?

B. Analog or digital
I prefer analog

C. is 2 " 52 mm same as 2 1/16 52 mm?

D. Is gauge depth important or can it fit most gauge pods? esp the group buy triple gauge that was done a few years ago?

E. What is the approximate total cost? gauge pod, gauges, etc

F. Oil and water temp gauges in car..do they work? somewhere I read oil pressure gauge is not accurate.

F. Which gauge pod do most people recommend?

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

A. depends on what you want to monitor...
B-F. Search. Been discussed a ton. Some people like one way, others like it different. You have to make your own decision

scremn8

get the racing beat gauges and pod. then you can go from there

LifeAfterRx8

iTrader: (17)

I would go with oil temp, oil pressure, and water temp.

atwood_101

iTrader: (1)

^^ What he said

And the oil pressure and water temp gauges that are already in the car are dummy gauges. They suck. I've never seen my oil pressure gauge higher or lower than two ticks past the middle, even though my oil was actually low.

longpath

iTrader: (1)

Fuel pressure, oil pressure, dual exhaust temperature

monchie

Other...shifting gauge (assuming its a manual).

MS Addict

iTrader: (1)

^wat?
(Was aimed at longpath, took me a while to post, and the king of posting got in here just before I posted)

In all seriousness, you don't need any exhaust temp, without any type of tuning. Same with wideband/shortband, useless without tuning. Unless you just wanna know what stock runs..

I second the oil pressure/oil temp/water temp.

But if you don't like oil pressure, I'd definitely go with the latter two. The two in the car are dummy gauges. Think about it, you get in, cold oil, and it says the same pressure as hot oil idling, or your oil pressure at 9,000rpm's? Nah, I don't think so.

And water temp? Once it's up to operating temp, I've yet to see it move, even on track days.

My next suggestion would be vacuum. Then volt. Those two are more or less for "Oh ****" moments, before they become those moments. Though some say keeping it in more vacuum helps for fuel economy... (I royally say screw fuel economy, giving my Rx8 ample time to warm up the engine oil, and then I'd rather keep the rpm's up rather than putting more load on the engine at lower rpm's, just in the name of fuel economy.)

I don't know about you, I'm thinking of getting a tripod gauge set for the center of the dash, on the top, and then the next set would be up on the a-pillar. They make a replacement for the ash tray/lighter cover, to hold 1 or 2 gauges, but that's down out of sight.

(I'd put the volt meter, or fuel pressure, anything not vastly important down there. Something you probably would be looking at when you're not looking at the road, anyway.)



But, that's all my info/opinion. The rest, search it up.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

that would be one of the most WORTHLESS gauges ever for an RX8.
Rather fitting that you would suggest it.

longpath

iTrader: (1)

Tuning is exactly why I suggested the the exhaust temp gauge. The fuel pressure gauge was to prevent a lean condition from destroying the engine without warning. The oil pressure gauge is because we don't have one, really. I already have an AccessPort, so I can get a proper coolant temperature. Additionally, I run Evans NPG+ coolant which saved my engine when I got stuck in traffic after multiple hours on the highway in triple digit air temperature, when my coolant temperature hit 245F according to the PCM (so engine temperature is not my biggest concern).

scremn8

he's not turbo, he is NA. he only needs water and oil at the
moment, everything else is a waste of money until he starts
to turbo the car. and thats IF..

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Concur, but replace the poly oil pressure line included in their kit with a stainless steel. Their kit includes oil temp & pressure and water temp and is nicely housed.
Note however that it's an ol' school 'analog' solution and many prefer electronic.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Po' monchie. 3800+ posts and nary a keeper in the lot.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

you could also talk to the guys over at prosport for good deals on their gauges. I too am NA and have water temp, oil temp and oil press. That and a lotek pod and you are set.

It pains me to know that such stupidity exists on this earth

Supernaut6

Buy PLX gauges that hook up to your OBD2 so you can display any of the readings you want. Each gauge can display a max of 4 readings and you can make your own gauge display if you want as well. The predefined gauges are pretty damn good. I don't think it does oil but that's an easy install.

MS Addict

iTrader: (1)

^Something else I'll have to look into.

That's why I said to have the less important gauges off to the side or something. Like fuel pressure, it can be important, but it's not something I want to monitor as closely as either of the temps. Like, if I'm checking for fuel pressure, something's obviously wrong, and I'm probably in a situation where I can take my eyes off the road that little bit, versus practically seeing it looking forward.

There's also that gauge you can turn your LED Display in your dash, into a gauge. I don't remember how many it can display though. But that's pretty pimp.

dynamho

Get em all!
...by getting an OBD2 gauge.

Here are some (in order of decreasing price):
* Aeroforce Interceptor: http://www.aeroforcetech.com
* PLX: http://www.plxdevices.com/multigauges.html
* Used DashHawk
* UltraGauge: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm <--- I have this and am getting 2 more. The hi/lo configurable alarms for all parameters are great.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say, the cheapest one is the best in this list, except for the DashHawk, but DH is way more expensive.

Supernaut6

http://arkdesign-us.com/products/ele...-function-dash
http://arkdesign-us.com/products/ele...unction-dash-2

scorcherjf

Will getting an OBD2 gauge give accurate water temp/oil temp readings or will you have to get a physical sensor for those as well?

dynamho

From my understanding, the OBD2 data is the same data the PCM uses, so isn't it reasonable to assume that the data is accurate?

You only need additional sensors for any info the PCM doesn't convey. For example, I think engine oil temp. is not monitored by the PCM. If so, you'll need an oil temp sensor.

pistonhater

actually, that unit looks really good.

I wonder how accurate is the oil reading.

I still prefer the look of the analog gauges, but this unit does get my attention. I am thinking that it would look awesome on a very strategic location.

laythor

I have the defi gauges.

Water temp, oil pressure, oil temp



My car is NA (for now) and those three things are something that can kill a rotary. I've always felt mazda dropped the ball not making these gauges stock.

kster

I'm using the Edge CS on my S2. I've been happy with the screen's brightness and sharpness:

monchie

I know...i know...


I'm the only one on earth...maybe the universe too...ha ha ha!

Anyway, the op wants opinions, and i gave him one. It's really up to the op, not me.

joshmay88

I would like to monitor oil temp, pressure and water temperature but I would also like to change the programming for WHEN the fans turn on, do any if these gauges allow you to do that as well as monitor.
For example: COBB ACCESS PORT, OBD2 reader, Mazda Maniac???

I plan to add oil cooler fans as well.

I have a 2007 manual with a new engine just installed and I live in Arizona so I want this car to survive our summers!