I am interested as well. I had the MINI gauges added recently, Boost & G-lateral (this is a waste of money). I will change to water temp.

 

Are you changing both to the MINI faced gauges and, if so, mechanical or electric for the vac/boost gauge. Thanks.

Steve

 

PM sent with interest for:
1 Mech Vac/Boost Gauge (with chrome ring)
1 Elec Oil pressure gauge (with chrome ring)
with all neccessary fittings including craven speed pods & steering columm mount.

 

I apologize if this was already asked, but whats better to get, the oil pressure or the water temp? I think i remember hearing that the oil temp wasn't ready at this time?

 

water temp !
you're far more likely to run into an issue w/ overheating, esp on the R56 Mini's (not even an idiot light until the motors toast). A water temp gauge will be of use every time you start driving, stay out of the boost/hot ******* until the engine's warmed up.
Unless something's horribly wrong, you won't learn much from an oil pressure gauge on a modern engine.

 

+1

 

OK, I have this to offer re the Craven mounts and adapters:

I like the Craven gauge cups a lot better than the ones from Alta (sorry folks). They offer them in different sizes, rather than just one size that takes a donut adapter to accommodate the smaller, more standard 52 mm gauges.

OTOH, although I like the way the Craven stuff is made, they don't offer a mounting adapter that puts the gauges in quite the right spot - at least not for my R56. I have the 360 Garmin hanging off the left side of the tach, so there really isn't any room for gauges there anymore. Craven's adapter "R" allows for gauges on only one side or the other, but it mounts them almost 3 inches too high. I don't want gauges sticking up over the dashboard, so I made my own adapter for mounting one of Craven's double gauge cups, tucked down between the RH A/C vent and the tach. Both gauges are visible inside the rim of the steering wheel.

That said, however, I still need a couple of the as-yet-unreleased Marshall gauges (boost and water temperature) before I can close out this project and do something different. I've been thinking that it might be useful to opt for electronic gauges for at least water temperature, because then I could add a switch box and some extra sensors and monitor temps in several places, such as intercooler input and outlet sides - but maybe that's carrying things a little too far.

Is it possible to carry things too far?

Tom S

P.S. - And yes, I'm interested in the group buy for the Marshall gauges! Where do I sign up?

 

Well, I like oil pressure. If you loose oil pressure due to a leak or just low oil from consumption you can see the decrease in pressure long before the lack of oil causes the engine to overheat, causing the water temp to spike. Ideally it would be nice to have both.

 

Have you checked out their "A" adapter?

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=209

Steve

 

Yes I have, Steve - but that has mounts on both sides for gauges, and the position still isn't quite right.

Tom S

 

You won't see a drop in oil pressure from a leak, nor will it cause the engine to overheat. Most engines use an oil pressure switch (takes ~4psi or so) in the block right after the oil pump and not up in the head where you're more likely to see oil starvation. A drop in oil pressure in your normal driving can be a sign of worn bearings or a worn oil pump, but you it's very very rare to see that on a modern, relatively low mileage engine. I see more oil sender/switch failures than anything.

You'd be better with an oil temp gauge and regularly checking your dipstick.

I tear down 4-5 engines a week on average and almost all the catastrophic failures are the result of overheating (&/or neglect). I've never replaced an oil pump due to wear or seen an oil pressure problem on a car that received any sort of regular maintenance.

 

They make both a chrome and black ring option that gives several options. I went with the black ring and if you look in my gallery you will see the gauges after the install by Custom Mini Shop in Fresno.

 

In my opinion for the daily driver the electric gauge is perfect one great option is that all lines can stay in the engine compartment. No oil/vac lines that could be damaged leak etc into the interior of the car. As for ring color the original had a mat silver ring with a chrome or gloss black ring option. I had the black ring installed on mine to match the piano black dash if you look at my gallery you will see pictures of the gauges most are on the second page.

 

thanks!! Thats makes perfect sense and also will make me more aware in the future of pushing a cold engine... looking forward to having more information about the car with the additions of these gauges. Speaking of which...where do i send my money?!? Sorry, i just gettin a little pushy

 

What does the boost gauge read up to in PSi ?

 

30 psi

 

SrTech is doing the group buy his posting is a few up on the list. He did my install on the original Marshall Gauges and you will not be disappointed in the gauges they look awesome and can only get better now that they are going to match them to the Mini Cooper.

 

Paul at Marshall says they are still waiting for the face manufacturer. He also said the price on the MINI specific gauges will be slightly higher than the regular SCX gauges, but the prices are not yet set. It's still a no-go on the MINI specific oil temp and voltmeter, but I believe that I will have enough leverage after this group buy to at least get their attention. If everyone who has expressed an interest goes through with the buy, I will have 60 gauges to order. That got their attention.

Steve

 

Can they make gauges that match the GP faces? I know there's GP owners that would like matching faces.

 

Steve -

Please put me on the list for boost and water temperature. Thanks!

Tom S

 

duplicate post

 

Thanks Tron Chief, i've sent my pm's. Just a matter of time now...

 

You're on, thanks!

Steve

 

Hey SRTech, what's the status on the stepper motors? Just wondering bc i just compared them on youtube and i would much rather have with the stepper than without. Any word if we are going to be able to get them with? Thanks!!

 

with stepper motor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YG5WIhK29Q

without stepper motor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQajDHiQmug

NOTE: Just so everyone knows, these are not the gauges that we are getting, all these videos demonstrate is the difference between with stepper motors and without. Just wanted to be clear to avoid confusion.