I've been looking for a good oil temp gauge, but they all seem to look like complete doo doo. Anyone have any suggestions? Black face is a necessity. Cheap wouldn't hurt either. Thanks.

Edit: I like the looks for this one, but doesn't seem to come in black.

 

Autometer Sport-Comp full sweep Oil Temperature Gauge #3341

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTOM...spagenameZWD1V

or



Autometer Sport Comp II full sweep Oil Temperature Gauge #3656

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTOM...spagenameZWDVW

 

http://www.egauges.com/eg_typeI.asp?...f=Auto%20Meter


Since you mentioned cheap, the 270° sweep models generally run about $130 to $140, whereas the 90° sweep models are typically $40 to $50. Both include sender.

I personally use this one, and find it to be adequate:



(click the image)

 

Where is your sending unit installed Joe? I can install mine in the pan/drainplug, oil feed with adapter at the block or off line going to the oil cooler when I install that one day. None of those locations seem to be ideal so I have hesitated buying the stuff to make it happen.

 

There seems to be some debate on the subject of location.

Some say that it ought to be in the oil pan. My first sender was- in the drain plug specifically. Folks point out that in a track situation, this will tend to be the "worst-case" oil temperature.

Presently, I've mounted it in a sandwich plate between the oil filter and the oil / water exchanger. This gives me the temperature after the cooler, which is handy as I can monitor whether the cooler is doing an effective job, whether it's over cooling, and in the morning, I can see the actual temperature of the engine oil after the warmer.

 

I'm not sure how the oil is routed through the engine. Is there a diagram some place?

How accurate is off the oil feed w/ a T on a 1.6?

I don't like the idea of placing it on the drain plug since it would suck to do oil changes and damage to it seems inevitable.

 

I drilled and tapped into my oil pan, works perfect.

 

Or forget that autometer crap and buy a 270 degree sweep ELECTRIC gauge for under $50.00

http://prosportgauges.com/52mm-elect...ure-gauge.aspx



If you wanna cry "oh, I can't see prosport gauges in the day cause of the sun..."

http://prosportgauges.com/Clear-oil-...e-gauge-1.aspx

 

Anyone ever heard of Glow Shift? Their website looks like a kid made it, which makes me wonder about their quality. However, I don't mind this gauge w/ white lettering:

 

Does digital have any drawbacks?

 

As far as I know, GlowShift gauges and Prosport gauges are the same, I have a set of Glow Shifts that look identical to my friends Prosports, needle, face, everything. I am not really a fan, I personally can't wait to go back to Auto Meter gauges, but alot of people like them so just read up on them. Biggest problem for me is they are so bouncy that its hard to read, open down pipe + semi solid motor mounts + harsh springs = oh noes.. But like I said alot of people swear by them, and the 7 color is nice to match the dash. I set it to white during the day to see, and green at night so it doesn't look out of place.

 

I wanted an all black (no silver trim ring), went with this one for cheap. It's also made in a 100-250F range. I drilled/c'bored/tapped my oil drain plug so that the sensor actually sticks into the oil pan about 1/4" past the end of the plug. PITA to do and it leaks a very small amount (no drips on my garage floor, but a little residue on bottom of oil pan). Oil changes are easy though, just remove the wire from the end of the sensor, and remove the plug as usual. Takes a while to show temp in the oil and I don't know how accurate it is; I'm usually at 220F all the time.

 

this thread reminds me i need to hook mine up...dummy gauge FTL. autometer phantom here...

 

whatever you buy, test it for accuracy before you install it