i plan on purchasing the alta flex gauge pod with their gauge options, but what are the two most vital gauges that i should get with the set (boost/water temp, boost/EGT temp, or boost/oil temp). thanks in advance

 

The least important are water temp, egt temp, and boost. Oil temp is a LOT more important than the rest of them. Personally I think Alta should offer a kit for Oil Temp and Pressure.

 

Depends what you want to measure. Really.

Boost is fun to watch, and can indicate a slipping belt or BPV issue
Water temp is an 'early warning' for engine temp - can indicate a coolant leak
EGT can indicate lean conditions
Oil temp tells you when the engine is REALLY warmed up
Oil pressure can indicate both engine temp (cold oil shows higher PSI) and the health of your oil pump and/or identify a low oil condition

The 'must haves' are the ones you must have, and may differ depending on what you plan to do with and to the car.

 

I run oil temp and boost gauges from Defi, which are simply awesome. The Defi's were a bit more expensive, but you would be hard pressed to find a higher quality gauge.

 

Sure is fun and when that needle pegs your smiling. For me its a must have for a SC. Another very entertaining gauge is a wideband A/F.

BUT I might be biased

 

im with bahamabart, boost is fun..but i alos dont want my engine to melt so i think ill stick with oil pressure

 

Then what's important for cars like mine? I've got the chrono pack which means I've OIL TEMP, COOLANT TEMP, OIL PRESSURE from factory. I'm Getting additional guages, what shall I get alont with the boost guage? I'm not intrested in the voltmeter!!!!!

 

Well, if you're not interested in a voltmeter, you're probably not interested in an ammeter either, although it can alert you to charging system problems even faster than a voltmeter.

Honestly, the Chrono Kit plus a boost gauge covers all of the important readings pretty well. I would suggest a combo boost/vacuum gauge rather than a straight boost gauge, though.

Considering the mods you've done to your car, perhaps a wideband air/fuel ratio gauge like Bahamabart's?

 

2 q's:
-combo boost/vacuum gauge?? Please explain...
-wideband air/fuel ratio gauge like Bahamabart's? I thought he's running the stock guages!!!! Please explain.

 

Some boost gauges only show boost, like this:



While others show both boost and vacuum, like this:



And for the A/F gauge, look at the picture Bahamabart included in post #5 - he has a boost gauge and an A/F meter flanking his tachometer.

 

Thanks man! I just noticed it. Then where can someone get those guages from?

 

I get mine from either www.jegs.com or www.summitracing.com.

 

Bart, really thank you so much for all the information and time you provided me on PMs. Now I have a complete idea on that nice project and you even helped me selecting what I need. You are then man bart!!

 

My pleasure - drop me a note anytime.

 

Boost/vacuum and oil temp are my faves. I have boost and oil pressure on one of my cars (prior owner installed) but will be putting boost/vacuum and oil temp on the other.