Thanks for the update. For your first attempt, the gauge pod looks pretty good.

Regarding the spot where you inserted the oil line, that's a factory plug that you removed?

Also, any reason not to use the Racing Beat water temp sensor?

 

Yes, that is a factory plug. The shop manual calls for Mazda techs to remove that plug and hook up their pressure gauge for troubleshooting purposes so that is a perfect place for the sensor. Since the oil temp doesn't work how I have it set up, you wouldn't even need the steel line, you could just screw the sender in after taking out that plug. I can't think of any reason not to use the RB sensor, I just felt like ordering all my stuff from one place. The upside of that one is stated...it has continuos flow. The one I and so many others have installed doesn't require cutting any coolant lines, but doesn't start to register until the thermostat kicks open, but I don't mind.

 

Hi BlueR3,

I like to do the same like you.
I'm lucky someone tried it first. I was really unhappy after the mail from racingbeat as they wrote they haven't a solution.

Is the Oil temp working now?

 

If you want gauges that are actually useful while driving, put them on the A-pillar or the steering column. Anywhere else is too far away from where you should be looking (i.e. straight ahead) and you won't be able to monitor them out of the corner of your eye. My preferred location is the A-pillar because they don't overlap the gauges in the instrument cluster.

Here's a pic of the gauges I put in my Passat. You can see they are easily visible while keeping your eyes on the road ahead.

 

Unfotunatly I have been extremely busy this summer and havnt had a chance to rework the oil temp. I do agree that the pillar mount is easier to see but mounting there is annoying to me. I have a similar setup on my wrx but really Find it annoying because it increases the size of your blind spot a little and the gauge lighting in my eyes at night is annoying as well. The good part though is how easy the boost and egt is to read. But on the 8 a quick glance Down is no big deal to me and once I get the time to refinish the way I want, in my opinion the ashtray area is really clean looking.

 

yes it's right that the ashtray isn't the best solution. If I make it there is "written in the stars".

First, important for me is the technical feasibility. Is the clearance enough to fit the pressure sensor without the hose?

the prosport gauges are looking good.

 

Here is a pic of how I mounted mine. Sorry about the quality of the pic, but you can get the idea.

 

Thanks guys!


@MC8jai: How did you get the oil temp?

 

You could mount a fitting in the oil return line where it returns (after the coolers) the block. I forgot the size of the fitting I used when I converted to a single cooler but that would be the easy place to do it and totally removable if needed.

 

and mine with defi from spec a

 

While that looks really nice for the Passat, I have yet to find anybody making a good A-Pillar gauge pod for the RX8....

 

Hate reviving old threads but this put a huge happy face on me haha. Looks like this means that I will be grabbing myself some gauges soon now that I know I can monitor oil press . Thanks! Btw, ever find a good place for the temp sensor? Question #2 is, when installing that water sensor, I take it that unless I drain some coolant, I am going to get it pouring out of that line when i crack it open huh?

 

Ok, for oil pressure, you could use the a "T" fitting if the 09+ uses the same type of oil pressure sending unit as the 04-08's. Just install the "T" in teh factory threads on the rotor housing and then reinstall the factory oil pressure sending unit (so your gauge in the cluster still works) and then install the sending unit for the Prosport gauge (only one I know of that goes to 150psi).


For oil temp, install one of these (need to verify thread type, etc) between the oil pump and the oil cooler feed line.

 

I just fabricated one! not 100% without flaws (that i know about) but works well and looks good. Painted Glossy black after the whole thing was said and done. i can get instructions and materials if Anyone needs, just PM me

 

Nice fab work.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/album.php?albumid=1629

 

I thought someone tried this method for the oil temp and it didn't end up working? I believe it is mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

I just got a block adapter, I think Its $29 or so. I was going to do a relocate but got lazy and just got the adapter. Much easier

 

Link to the block adapter? I am just trying to get everything together here. I have my water, oil temp, oil press gauges from prosport along with a water adapter for the water temp in my shopping cart.

 

http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/oilfi...5thread-1.aspx

Just make sure the senders are the right thread and size. Otherwise you can get them from glowshift. They are a bit cheaper but not bad for budget and I've not had any problems with them, just be sure to take the scratch cover off when you get them installed

 

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no wonder i was confused...these dont fit in s2's...gotta recheck where you are posting

 

Sorry, I didn't see any specific gauges mentioned. Are s2's prosports? There are quite a few there size options on the block adapter page

 

The Sandwich Block does not fit the S2. Tried that a year ago save your money

 

anyone tried to use the dash display to show the numbers? I dont like the gauges sticking out my dash.
Ive seen someone done it on S1 and it worked pretty nice.

 

^^ I believe that thing was called the GOODBox, doubt it would work on the S2 though. I wont mind the gauge mod as long as there is a clean way to get the lotek to work