I'm going with Autometer Ultralites 2 1/16 but am not sure to go electric or mechanical. My thought was to use mechanical for vac/boost (go with 20 or 30psi for pully modded SC?) and electric for oil pressure. Could sure use some advice.

Thanks,
Sid

 

How much do you want to spend? Electronic gauges are between 2 and 3 times as expensive as mechanical gauges. How much is peak recall and possibly a warning lamp worth to you?

BTW, vac to 20psi should be fine.
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SHOW ME THE NUMBERS! 1/4 Mile Database

 

I just want some readout reassurance...nothing special...read, cheap The mechanical vac/boost is reasonable at $42 and the electrical oil pressure is too at $54. My question... are my choices consistant with what most people are using? How does the electric oil pressure guage work?

Thanks.

 

If you go with the electronic gauge you won't have to run the VAC tube into the passenger compartment (through the firewall) and around the steering column. This means a more accurate reading and cleaner install. For my money, it was worth it!

 

I prefer mechanical for boost, as it has a quicker response, plus running the vacuum line is pretty easy. I also went with the Ultralites, and the 20psi max boost in a carbon fibre cup on top of the steering wheel. Couldn't bring myself to spend $160+ for a gauge holder.

 

What about the oil pressure unit? Mechanical or electric? I'd prefer not to have an oil line inside the Mini

 

I just ordered the mechanical boost and the electric oil pressure gages yesterday. There is another post in the interior forum showing some DIY gage installs that got me motivated. I also don't want to spend big bucks for the current gage mounts. I plan to do my own bracket.

 

Here's what I did for under $150 total:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=10257

 

>>What about the oil pressure unit? Mechanical or electric? I'd prefer not to have an oil line inside the Mini
Pegasus Auto parts (or something like that) sells a part that accepts the oil line on one side and has another line filled with anitifreeze that goes to the gauge so that you don't need to worry about an oil line rupturing in the passenger compartment.
BMP sells a fitting that screws in where the oil pressure switch is and has three ports for an oil pressure sender. I think they did the three so that one would always be available no matter how it was rotated. The stock switch mounts off of the back.
You could run a temp gauge here, but it wouldn't be very accurate as it's not really in the flow of oil. You could tap the oil filter cartridge for the temp sender (as I did). You can get the sender that goes in the oil pan drain plug, or I suppose you could tap the oil pan itself. I didn't use the drain plug as I was concerned that it would be in the path of flying debris and that it might be less accurate than if it was in the oil filter canister.

 

I'm going Mechanical for both. I am going to use 2 5/8 size gauges. I bought a gauge pod set from a guy in Cleveland, OH. He is going to install the gauges this coming weekend for me for $50.

 

Sid - I'm using the Auto Meter Ultralite 2 1/16" mechanical vac/boost 30inHg-20PSI. Even a 19% pulley'd MCS won't get much above 19PSI, and that's only at redline. Our 15% at 7200RPM redline yields about 18PSI. No need to go for a 30PSI gauge, unless you plan on Turbo in the future!

Here's mine:

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Thanks Ryan. Do you have any knowledge regarding mechanical vs. electrical oil pressure guages? Where would the sender be located?

Sid

 

naw - haven't tackled that one yet.
I'd guess you'd want an electrical oil pressure gauge.

Read Andy's How-To in his link just above.

 

>>Sid - I'm using the Auto Meter Ultralite 2 1/16" mechanical vac/boost 30inHg-20PSI. Even a 19% pulley'd MCS won't get much above 19PSI, and that's only at redline. Our 15% at 7200RPM redline yields about 18PSI. No need to go for a 30PSI gauge, unless you plan on Turbo in the future!
>>
Well..... I did see a 22% pulley on the workbench at Helix If I can get software to match, with the limiter set to 6000 RPM, I would be all over that. Maybe sometime in the future, one can only hope.

X2