Oil pressure gauge that doesn't suck???
 

Anyone got a recommendation for an oil pressure that that

A) has a 270 degree sweep
B) fits in a 2 1/16 pod
C) will last longer than six months

The OEM gauge in the NB is useless, and the "swap the old NA sender" trick idea is uncalibrated and IMHO too small.

I've tried a Westach gauge, and an el-cheapo Summit gauge. The Westach senders would go intermittent after a few months of use, mounted either in the -10 AN line going to my remote oil filter, or mounted directly to the chassis in the middle of the turbo feed line. Finally I got tired of buying new senders, and went with a cheap Summit gauge, now it's done the same thing.

Anyone used an electric AutoMeter gauge? I've seen some suggestions on another board for the AutoMeter 4352, but it's $225 at Summit. I'm willing to pay that if it means I don't have to keep buying new senders, but...

(And no, I don't want a mechanical gauge -- don't like the idea of running pressurized oil through the firewall).

--Ian

Solution: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-5282

Manual for solution: http://www.autometer.com/productPDF/1124.pdf

Hm. Interesting idea, but it sounds like something of a PITA to install. "Don't spill the fluid out of the remote line, or you have to send it back for refill".

Have you actually used it?

--Ian

Well, I figured that since you car seems to be mysteriously eating electrical senders, it'd be worth a shot.



Nope. I prefer the stock '90-'94 gauges. Less cosmetically intrusive, and they work fine.

For what it's worth, you mentioned disapproving of the NA sender swap on the grounds that it's "uncalibrated". I don't really see that it matters whether you know with precision that your oil pressure is 55 PSI or 65 PSI, so long as you have a stable baseline understanding for where the needle is normally suppose to be pointing, and can recognize a deviation from that.

Agreed, what matters is consistency and ability to read it at a glance. The early NA OEM gauge lacks the glance-ability, IMHO. I like 270 degree sweep gauges for that reason.

--Ian

I've used Autometer gauges for years. Electric senders, 270° 'full sweep', 52mm (2 1/16").

I've used the Elite and Comp series, but would imagine Sport Comp II and other series are just a good and reliable, but without the extra features (and cost) of the Elite & Comp series.

I went with a dual pressure/temp gauge from spa : http://www.spatechnique.com/product_...ils.cfm?id=378

2 years so far with that gauge with no issues from either sender. I have them mounted on a sandwich plate beneath the filter.

I realize that's digital and you specified analogue. The pressure-only 270 sweep version is here: http://www.spatechnique.com/product_...ils.cfm?id=330

Note that you can specify backlighting color and gauge face color.

I have had good luck personally with my ProSport in my WRX, and a few of our customers have been running the AEM digital gauges with good reviews as well.

-Sam
Renown Performance

Omori or VEI. I have the Omori and like it, I wish I had a VEI dual sensor gauge for oil and water in one place.

Whats the big deal of running a line through the firewall? Mine is -4 out of the block, into a Y fitting, one to the turbo, the other through a -4 bulkhead fitting, then to the gauge. No leaks. Autometer liquid filled Pro Comp 0-100 psi full sweep. Run a mechanical boost gauge too, same Autometer liquid filled series.

What's the point of a 270 degree sweep on an OP gauge? I have a simple VDO gauge which I feed with half of the dual sender. The other half goes to my idiot OEM OP gauge in my NB. Works fine.

Glanceability.

I'd rather have a 90* sweep in the center of the dash than a 270* sweep in the radio surround.

I like warning lights - all I see on the dash in my car is water temp and AFRs.

I mount the OPG in an A-pillar gauge, it's much easier to glance at it than the stock location. I use the radio slot for less immediately useful things, like oil/water temp, battery voltage, and boost.

Running pressurized oil through the firewall wouldn't be a big deal if I could guarantee it would never fail, but I can't, so it is. :)

--Ian