Who makes gauges that most closely match the factory tach and speedo faces and bezels. I have the factory extra gauge mount (by the cigarette lighter), and I think I am going to put in a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge set. Or do you think that because they will be at the bottom it would look better to go with black face / orange light combos

 

These are the closest I've found so far:

http://www.autometer.com/hp/2003_catalog/racing/59.html

 

the Autometer gauges look close, do you know if they are easily converted to orange backlight?

 

Here are Autometers as I mounted them in my Cooper S.

 

Here they are at night lit up in orange. They were impossible to focus on at night with the slow shutterspeed. The lights are not backlit like the Mini, but they can be orange.

PerfPow

 

Of how much use is the boost gauge on a dailydriver? What do you use it for( I know ..TO MEASURE BOOST), but what does it tell you on a daily basis) Is that information valuable enough to need to be constantly monitored, or is just checkig boost during tuning adequate. Does it tremble constantly, I mean are the variations as you drive so great that the info is really kind of useless? Are there any possibilities of the sending unit leaking? Why no Voltmeter? I am not trying to dog your selection of gauges, I am just trying to decide what I need. I wonder if oil temp or head temp might be more important than boost.

 

Perfpow's gauge selection is right-on for his application. He needs water temp to compensate for his Nav not having one; Oil pressure is a critical gauge regardless, and Vacuum/Boost is the Fun guage. Voltmeter is relatively useless on modern cars cuz they monitor voltage themselves. Ammeter would be fun to see though!

Darksky, you don't need any more gauges than what the MINI came with. If you decide to add gauges, keep in mind that it's all for fun anyway. Doing a head-temp gauge while having a water or oil temp gauge is kinda redundant, unless you're racing! Pyrometers, Air/fuel ratios, and trans temp gauges are more racing-esque stuff, and won't be too useful in daily driving.

Good luck, Cheers,
Ryan

 

I guess I am just used to having oil press,water temp,and volts. I am looking for a way to justify changing from my old school mentality and repalcing the voltmeter with boost.

 

>>I guess I am just used to having oil press,water temp,and volts. I am looking for a way to justify changing from my old school mentality and repalcing the voltmeter with boost.



Perfpow: What material did you use to fabricate your Gauge Panel?

Cheers,
Ryan

 

MINI sells aux. gauges too. Granted it will cost more and you only get too but I figure it is an option and you do get a warranty. The part number is: 82 94 0 148 956 And they cost $250 uninstalled.
Here is a pic:

 

Hi Ryan,
Thanks for answering Darksky's questions. A blown engine without a boost gauge is like a day without sunshine! I don't like driving a turbo or supercharged car without a live vacuum/boost gauge. A live gauge has no peg to rest on at zero. It moves with throttle inputs and shows below zero at idle, light throttle and on decelleration. On heavy throttle and full throttle the needle springs instantly to the boost available at that rpm. It finds zero when the engine is off and at part throttle. Boost on our MCS' peaks at full throttle at the redline.
Gauge selection is up to the individual. You could have inside temperature, outside temperature and a hygrometer, I guess. I got exactly what I wanted.
The panel is aluminum and I intend to sell these at Perfect Power. Our website is: http://www.perfectpowerinc.com

PerfPow

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Any one know the best place to tap into the vacuum line for a boost gauge ?

 

Perfpow-
That is a sick pic! Those gauges fit right in!

 

>>Any one know the best place to tap into the vacuum line for a boost gauge ?
>>
>>

Check out this post I have on the boost guage install:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=3636

PM Me and I'll tell you where to tap in... no drilling !

Kesh420

 

You might want to check out these that mount adjacent to the tach. They only have a volt and boost for the MCS, but I like the idea of having the guages in my line of sight.

http://www.bmpd.com/promini/contents.shtml

Has anyone installed these, who can give us an idea how hard they were to install?

 

There is a company named Omori Meter that is supposed to have matching guages for the Mini & WRX. I couldn't find them on their web site but you might be able to call them to find out.

 

Here's a link to the Omori MINI guages. Last I heard they will not be brought to the US market. But they are spot on in look....except that this car has a supercharger, not a turbo...so the "turbo" guage is misleading, should be "boost".

R

 

Nice looking setup!

I just got my Coooper S last week, with Nav, and am very interested in this gauge setup. How difficult was the installation? Did I understand that you are selling this gauge pod?

 

Hi LetsMotorO_O,
Welcome to MCO. I will sell the gauge package you see in here with your choice of gauges. I'm at home today, but if you call me at work tomorrow, 847-367-8837, I'll give you a price with the gauge combination shown here on this thread.

PerfPow
(Sol Snyderman)
Perfect Power Inc. (www.perfectpowerinc.com) website up Monday PM or Tues. It's been under repair/modification for a few months!

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