New Oil Pressure Gauge
 

My car is an '03 with a Flyin' Miata FM2 turbo kit. Given the uselessness of the factory instruments I installed an aftermarket temp gauge in the center dash above the radio. I've decided to add an oil pressure gauge there as well and am considering the best place to install a sensor, while leaving the factory sensor / gauge setup functional.

The car car currently has a tee fitting installed at the stock oil pressure sensor location with the sensor and turbo oil feed line installed there. Rather than add a tee to a tee to get another outlet, I'm thinking about putting a tee at the turbo where any leaks or stress issues would be easily spotted and corrected. Does anyone see a problem with this idea?

The other option would would be to install a plate between the engine block and the oil filter (sandwich plate?) with threaded outlet holes. I've seen a few of these advertised but have no experience with them and would welcome input on usefulness, reliabilty and preferred brands.

Thanks for any help that you all might give.

Paul

Depending on your oil line setup, you could always put an inline pressure gauge fitting. I used a 2 port tee in mine.

Earl's Performance Pressure Gauge Adapters - Example

What kind of gauge/sensor do you plan on running? My plan is to rip out the stock oil pressure gauge and retrofit a gauge into the cluster. The below are what I was considered running. I would also need a 1/8bspt to npt adapter

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oil-pressur...VZhdrG&vxp=mtr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VDO-type-Oi...-/251719530760

Thanks Bahurd and Skyline. The in line adapter looks like a possibility, would sure make it lower profie. I'm going to use an Equus 1-1/2" electric oil pressure gauge. It will fit nicely in the area I have designated for it and it blends in really well with the stock gauges, both in daylight and at night. The sensor will be what is supplied with the gauge. I prefer an electric gauge to avoid the possibility of chafing or burning a hole in a tube that would be used for a mechanical gauge.

I have time time to get recommendations as I'll be fabricating the panel for the gauge install. It will be wood laminated to PVC with the wood being stained and varnished to match the shift knob and e-brake handle.

Paul

I'm using the sandwich plate because I have an oil cooler.

What is the install on the sandwich plate like? I get that it's between the block and the filter. Does the filter hold it in place or is there additional fastening?

Paul

There is an extension that screws onto the threaded tube in the middle that tightens it down. The oil filter then screws onto the extension.

PRL motorsports sells a oil feed fitting that has 2 1/8" NPT ports. I would go that route and replace your brass tee.

I used the PRL fitting + the remote mount from Miatacage as the fitting doesn't quite get the sensor out from the block enough [maybe depending on which sensor?]. The remote mount lets you mount it on the shelf + keeps any extra weight off the fitting as it gets pretty thin on the end that threads into the block.

PRL Fitting: Be sure to select the 2 port one

Miatacage remote mount: Miatacage.com. Oil Pressure Sensor Relocation Kit

Maybe you can source the parts seperately??

Can’t use the plugged FWD dipstick hole at the oil pump?

Damn good question... Looking at my engine on the stand there's enough room for the sender there. Anyone?

EDIT: After looking at one fully assembled I'm not sure with the alternator and everything else you can get in there.

Thanks all. Looks like I'm gonna have a sandwich.
Paul

I used the Advanced Autosports kit. https://www.advanced-autosports.com/...der-relocation

Any recommendations on a specific brand? Or specific size of glow shift or mishimoto?

I finished my Oil Pressure Gauge project. I wound up using an oil filter sandwich plate sourced from Moss Miata so that I could feel confident of getting the right size. The sending unit for the new Equus gauge fit without the need for adapters. A little tight getting in there with a socket to get the filter post extension nut tightened but with the right combination of extensions and a universal, managed to get it tight. Very rewarding to actually see the oil pressure. It idles at about 20# when hot and runs about 55 - 60# at cruising rpm. The gagues are mounted on a wood veneered PVC plate above the head unit. Stained and varnished to look like my e-brake and shifter. Should have been stained a little darker but looks closer in real life than in the pics. The two buttons between the temp and oil pressure gauge are for electronic boost cancel ( drops the boost from 12psi. to about 7psi wastegate pressure ) and for future data log on/off switch.

Thanks for the help and input from the forum.
Paulhttps://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7cb479d4ad.jpg

How steady is your oil pressure?

I swapped an oil pressure gauge and sensor from a 1990 into my 2001 with VVT. The sensor is located right in the VVT oil feed line, so the oil pressure will change with throttle position. Unplugging the VVT makes this funny behavior go away, so I'm wondering if the VVT has that much effect on the whole system pressure, or if it's more local to the VVT oil feed.

Anything above idle and it jumps up to 50-60 at cruising rpm. My idle, when hot, with fans coming on can sag pretty low for a moment and the oil,pressure can drop to around 10-15 ish. Anything above 2k and it's up there in the 50+ range. I don't see where the VVT line would be so sensitive. How did you tap from there? Cut the line and tee it off?
Paul

The 1990 oil pressure sender threads right in to where the 2001 oil pressure sender was, and shows 60 psi at 4k on the highway.

I think there's enough restriction in the feed line that the local pressure drops more than the average system pressure. It's just funny watching it have different pressures based on throttle position. Definitely shows why they put a bigger oil pump on the VVT engines!