15 replies to this topic

[red986s]

Hate the stock fuel gauge. I can't see it without actively searching for it. At speed that sucks! So I'm looking at an aftermarket unit. My question is do I really have to replace the stock sending unit? Or can I just use a gauge that matches the ohms of the stock sender and use the wiring currently in the car? Silly question but I had to ask.

Thanks!

[Qik Nip]

Hate the stock fuel gauge. I can't see it without actively searching for it. At speed that sucks! So I'm looking at an aftermarket unit. My question is do I really have to replace the stock sending unit? Or can I just use a gauge that matches the ohms of the stock sender and use the wiring currently in the car? Silly question but I had to ask.

Thanks!

I've got a low cost solution ... don't look at it. Seriously, I put the amount of gas in that I'll need for the race and never look at the fuel guage again. The ugly truth is that if that's too little gas, there's not much I can do anyway. That and that fact that the damn sending unit/guage is so dampened that most of the time it reads empty on the track anyway! I figure if I can get a look at the temp and oil pressure once per lap, the rest of the time I need to be looking out the windshield (or mirrors) anyway.
Rick

[juliancates]

Hate the stock fuel gauge. I can't see it without actively searching for it. At speed that sucks! So I'm looking at an aftermarket unit. My question is do I really have to replace the stock sending unit? Or can I just use a gauge that matches the ohms of the stock sender and use the wiring currently in the car? Silly question but I had to ask.

Thanks!

I installed a digital Autometer gauge that I got from Jegs I believe. It's programmable, so you can set the values for full and empty. The ohm ranges it works with are compatible with the range the stock Miata sender uses, so no need for an aftermarket sender.

Here's a pic:

[red986s]

Rick - LOL! Yeah considered it but I just don't trust myself.

Juilan - Nice setup! An hour after I posted this question I found what you mentioned. Ordered the Pro Comp Ultra Lite programmable to match my other gauges.



Did you use the original wiring or what came with the gauge?

Thanks all!

[Johnny D]

Rick is 100% correct and he wasn't joking, IMO.

If you don't trust yourself for gas, you'd better have crew for that, and to check everything else.
Otherwise think about a rental with arrive and drive.
J~

[Keith Novak]

I don't even have a fuel gauge.

That was rather irritating one weekend where I found I had a fuel delivery problem...turns out I DIDN'T deliver fuel to the tank the previous night.

I did find you can go a couple laps on an empty tank. Now, if I fuel the car with the measured amount the night before, I put a piece of tape on the filler door and write on it how much I put in. I don't trust myself either.

[juliancates]

Rick - LOL! Yeah considered it but I just don't trust myself.

Juilan - Nice setup! An hour after I posted this question I found what you mentioned. Ordered the Pro Comp Ultra Lite programmable to match my other gauges.



Did you use the original wiring or what came with the gauge?

Thanks all!

Mitch,

I used the original wiring. The gauge comes with a wire long enough to reach back to the fuel level sender, though. The original wiring goes right to the dash cluster, and you can just re-use that. Head's up, the custom programming wants you to first measure on an empty tank, and THEN a full tank. Since I already have the tank full for winter storage, I wired a resistor pack inline to simulate the resistance at empty.

I wouldn't pay much attention to it during a race. But it's useful afterwards to figure out how much fuel you are using during a session, and before a session to verify the onboard fuel level. Assuming you don't drain to empty and refill every session.

[red986s]

Keith - Thanks, appreciate the words of wisdom. (Don't let Johnny D hear you say that though.)

Juilan - Big thanks! You've been a big help! I promise I won't stare at it when I'm on track.

Johnny D - I think I love you!

[Johnny D]

Johnny D - I think I love you!

Mitch, I may live in the San Francisco area but I wouldn't got that far.
J~

[Qik Nip]

Rick is 100% correct and he wasn't joking, IMO.

J~

Johnny
Yep. I was serious as skin cancer.
Rick

[red986s]

Johnny - Glad you took that the way it was intended.

Rick - I see your point but I like knowing it's there. Pretty easy to install so why not. With the million things going on in our heads (500k and I'm maxed) during a race weekend it's just one less thing to worry about.

Thanks!

[Johnny D]

IMO,
Most of it should be done at home, everything you possibly can.
Everything should be on a check list for home and track, not in your head.
Things you miss on your check list should be added.

Now if only I can practice what I preach.

If your car needs gas coming to the track, put gas at the station coming in. One less thing when you get there, unless you use special POG.

Air up your tires so you only need to drop them.

With your check list checked, you'll feel better, relax, do better and have fun.

Just me, myself and I crewing my car at the track.
J~

[Keith Novak]

Amen brother. I've finished up (or thought so) late at night once or twice, and often our group is the 1st to take the track in the morning so the morning can be a bit hectic. It's an uneasy feeling heading out of town or rolling onto the track with thoughts popping into your head like, Did I bring everything (like the car key), put gas, water and oil in the car, torque down all the lug nuts, make sure I still have brake pads, take the lawn chairs out of the trunk? etc.

[davew]

Be carefull with the autometer gauges, they assume a linear shaped tank. Our tanks are kinda pyramid shaped. So 1 inch of gas at the top of the tank may read 1/2 gallon, while 1 inch at the bottom may be 2 gallons. After setting the full and empty points using the instructions, You need to drain the fuel, then add one gallon at a time. Then mark the gauge as to where the needle points with each gallon. You will be surprised at how irregular the markings will be.

Dave

[Qik Nip]

Rick - I see your point but I like knowing it's there. Pretty easy to install so why not. With the million things going on in our heads (500k and I'm maxed) during a race weekend it's just one less thing to worry about.

Thanks!

You're welcome! My take on the crazyness of being owner, crew and driver is that you have to be extremly regimented. When I come off track after the qual, I check and record tire pressures and (if I wasn't already impounded), get the car weighed. Then I change into my crew chief's garb and get the car on stands so I can do a quick check to make sure nothing's amiss underneath. Then I add gas based on the scale weights and race length, check the oil, water and do a visual on belts, hoses ect under the hood. finally I dertermine the target tire pressures for the race and record that in my tire book. A half hour before the call to grid, I air the tires, torque the lugs and clean the windshield. Once that's done, I go suit up.
It works for me.
Rick

[William Bonsell]

Amen brother. I've finished up (or thought so) late at night once or twice, and often our group is the 1st to take the track in the morning so the morning can be a bit hectic. It's an uneasy feeling heading out of town or rolling onto the track with thoughts popping into your head like, Did I bring everything (like the car key), put gas, water and oil in the car, torque down all the lug nuts, make sure I still have brake pads, take the lawn chairs out of the trunk? etc.

Yeah those things left in the trunk can be a bitch. Did an entire practice session last year early in the morning with my air tank rolling around in the trunk. Couldn't understand what the hell the loud banging was as I headed down the hill into turn
3A at Pacific. But seriously, no real need for a fuel gauge in my opinion. Drain the fuel out between sessions and add the amount you need estimating approx 10 mpg......I do use my odometer frequently but zero'ing it out and then using that to compare fuel consumption and approx total mileage for a particular session.

Bill