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Looking For A Dash/Gauge Solution

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#1
bmarshall1

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Currently I am using the stock dash and a AEM A/F gauge and Autometer Oil Pressure gauge.

 

Having installed a new motor (junkyard) I am looking for a 'information' upgrade.  

 

I am not specifically looking for data, I have a Garmin Catalyst, but would like to add Water Temp, Water Pressure, Voltage Meter, and maybe Fuel Pressure(?). Am I missing something, and are all these really needed.  I have done fine w/o these but my friend lost a $6k racing motor when his alternator went out and he ran lean.  I would like to know of a problem before I grenade a motor and lose the weekend.

 

  • Budget friendly would be nice - I was trying to stay under $500 but it appears I need to bump to closer to $1,000 for gauges, sensors, etc...
  • Warning lights are a must so I don't have to constantly look at gauges
  • A complete solution would be great, if not too expensive

 

It would appear that w/ 2 eyeball vents and a dash blank plate I could get 5 gauges total if I went the gauge only route.

 

 

I will definitely also be adding some sort of sequential shift light - any recommendations that are <$200.

 

Any solutions to guide me or anything to stay away from?



#2
Jamz14

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No good solution for your budget. A proper data/gauge system is more than you spent on your "new" motor.

Dont sweat it. Just buy 5 of your "new" motors and call it good.
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#3
Bench Racer

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My car (by a frugal owner, me) has a water pressure sensor and an oil pressure sensor each connect to a green and red light. Lights are in the OEM dash area. Also have Auto Power mechanical gauges for water temp, oil pressure and oil temp. Adjustable pressure sensors are from Honeywell at approx. $35.00 each. All gauges need to be in a normal place so no visual searching as one looks. I have fuel pressure gauge on the cowl outside the windshield.


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#4
Tom Sager

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Currently I am using the stock dash and a AEM A/F gauge and Autometer Oil Pressure gauge.

 

Having installed a new motor (junkyard) I am looking for a 'information' upgrade.  

 

I am not specifically looking for data, I have a Garmin Catalyst, but would like to add Water Temp, Water Pressure, Voltage Meter, and maybe Fuel Pressure(?). Am I missing something, and are all these really needed.  I have done fine w/o these but my friend lost a $6k racing motor when his alternator went out and he ran lean.  I would like to know of a problem before I grenade a motor and lose the weekend.

 

  • Budget friendly would be nice - I was trying to stay under $500 but it appears I need to bump to closer to $1,000 for gauges, sensors, etc...
  • Warning lights are a must so I don't have to constantly look at gauges
  • A complete solution would be great, if not too expensive

 

It would appear that w/ 2 eyeball vents and a dash blank plate I could get 5 gauges total if I went the gauge only route.

 

 

I will definitely also be adding some sort of sequential shift light - any recommendations that are <$200.

 

Any solutions to guide me or anything to stay away from?

AIM Solo 2DL might work well for you.  You're in a '99?  The 2DL has an ECU input which would give you water temp, voltage, oil pressure (I think) and some other fields.  It'll also give you lap times and GPS data.  I think they are $699 or so and you can get a dash mount for it.  Might be worth a look. 


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#5
bmarshall1

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Bench - thanks for the ideas, I will research them for my application.

 

Tom - I had a similar thread about 8 months and could not find it.  Per Matt at Trailbrake.Net regarding the Solo DL.  I will be looking at the MXm to see if it fits my needs.

 

With a 99 you can only do the OBDII connection, but the data may be painfully slow and not usable. There is no way to work other connections into the S2DL. It's a little more at $1,099, but the MXm is a great option. That can do the car connection and up to 4 analog channels. You could put the oil pressure and temp in along with the A/F. That would connect to the SCHD when you're ready for that as well. The MXm is popular in SM and is a great little unit.

Matt Romanowski

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#6
Steve Scheifler

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<p>
Bench - thanks for the ideas, I will research them for my application.

Tom - I had a similar thread about 8 months and could not find it. Per Matt at Trailbrake.Net regarding the Solo DL. I will be looking at the MXm to see if it fits my needs.


With a 99 you can only do the OBDII connection, but the data may be painfully slow and not usable. There is no way to work other connections into the S2DL. It's a little more at $1,099, but the MXm is a great option. That can do the car connection and up to 4 analog channels. You could put the oil pressure and temp in along with the A/F. That would connect to the SCHD when you're ready for that as well. The MXm is popular in SM and is a great little unit.



Matt Romanowski

www.TrailBrake.net

To be clear, he isn’t saying the MXm overcomes the painfully slow data speed from early OBD2, just that it has additional inputs so you can add your own sensors instead of using OBD.
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#7
bmarshall1

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Thanks for the clarity Steve.

 

I spoke with Matt at TrailBrake.net (very helpful).  It seems there is not really a 'budget' dash solution.  By the time one would get the dash, sensors, harness etc..., you're not too far off the cost of a full system  w/ data.  The other alternative is either nice gauges with built in warning lights, or do what Bench Racer did and built one from parts and use stock dash.

 

I definitely have to increase my budget, one does not know how much things cost until one goes to purchase that 'thing'.

 

Not sure which direction to go yet, I am keeping an eye out for used if someone is upgrading their unit.  Currently I am concentrating on getting the motor back into the car as of now.



#8
Tom Hampton

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I did a combo of those things. I have stack Guages for water temp and oil pressure, and afr. I have a fuel pressure sensor wired to the data system, and I have idiot lights for water pressure and oil pressure right in my sight line on top of the dash hood.

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#9
38bfast

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Data system always pays for itself in either driver improvement / engine monitoring / or diagnosing problems. 


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Ralph Provitz
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