Razor

ok turbo is on and starting to sort out other details...

how many 2,3 or 5?

which gauges, boost, EGT? oil and water temp....

I was going to pick up the A-Pillar gauge pod(2) but now there seams to be a simple center console gauge panel(3)

also looking for gauges at reasonable costs summit has some in the 25-35 range

ColoradoSpringsMiata

as many guages as you need to monitor everything that is vital.... i'd recommend Boost(of course)/E.G.T/ and a wideband setup would help out lots. fuel pressure is definately worth the money. but if you end up datalogging in any way, some of the gauges wont be needed

i just plan to mount the boost/ wideband on the A-pillar pod (2), and the rest should be subtle. later on down the line ill get a gauge for intake charge temps/ fuel pressure/ and oil pressure

firedog25

I have the following.

Boost, EGT, Volt, Oil Temp, A/F (narrowband because I'm cheap.).

ColoradoSpringsMiata

hehe. yeah i have the narrowband for now also, just really does seem next to useless on my car. i wouldnt trust it

IntrnlStorm

iTrader: (3)

Defi Link, Boost, EGT, & Fuel Pressure. I have a simple narrow band hooked up to my Wideband LC-1 just so I can see it at a glance, but I'm logging it through my EMU.

getsidewaysd1

Just make shure you install them tastfully. I hate cars that have 5 millon gages all over the place.

firedog25

Why not? It's just not as precise as a wide band but it gives you a good general idea. While cruising you should be dancing throughout stoichiometric, flooring it should make it peg rich and idle (warm) should be lean. At least that's why mine always said.... until I lost a connetion somewhere...

ColoradoSpringsMiata

yeah thats how mine reads also.....but for some reason mine doesnt read til about 4-4.5k rpm, that's why i say next to useless

ColoradoSpringsMiata

i agree

firedog25

Faulty wiring or gauge probably. Mine reads from the first twist of the key, or at least it did until I installed my Bipes and probably knocked the wire loose.

ColoradoSpringsMiata

yeah it might be one of those problems, but instead of digging in and seeing whats wrong i just kind of say "bleh", since eventually i'd be moving up to wideband. mine is just all over the place until that certain rpm range, its the z series autometer a/f gauge so yeah.... at least i got it for $40....hehe

kung fu jesus

iTrader: (1)

i just plan on a boost guage. the link keypad for everthing else.

Pop VII

After 12 years with a turboed Miata, the only gauges I find any value in having is the electronic fuel pressure gauge and a boost/vacuum gauge. The vacuum portion the handiest portion of the gauge in indicating the general overall condition of the engine and in indicating potential future problems.

An inexpensive gauge pod from VDO (about $12) is easily the best for visibility since can mount it directly on top of the 1.6 dash and rotate slightly to face the driver. Can order it in 1, 2, or 3 gauge pods. They also sell some reversible trim rings for the 2" gauges to either angle the direction of the gauge face or act as a sun shade for easier reading in the daylight.

For a while I had a 3d gauge (air temperature probe) to monitor the intake charge after the intercooler. After a few weeks of testing on 100F days trying to induce heat soak, concluded that the engine would severly overheat and would not reach any danger level of heat in the intake charge. Removed it and stuck in a goofy AF Ratio gauge to impress the HS age tuners that hang out behind McDonalds on Saturday night.

If wishing not to clutter up the interior with gauges suggest just periodically hooking up a boost/vacuum gauge and fuel pressure gauge for testing. Only takes a couple of minutes. As a fairly general rule, once familiar with how boost feels, will pick up seat of the pants symptoms of problems before even looking at installed gauges.

ColoradoSpringsMiata

funny that you say that as an a/f gauge wouldnt impress me, how would it?

firedog25

The dancing needle.

ColoradoSpringsMiata

hehe. well im 17 and find them dumb....a little ahead of my time or what?

firedog25

I like having an A/F gauge myself. I'm 34 and like to have as much information at my disposal as possible. I wish I had bought an S.E.C.S. unit, it's a single din, multi-purpose gauge that measured, well, everything. I saw them on NASIOC for a while then forgot who sold them and who the main manufacturer was.

ColoradoSpringsMiata

http://shopping.lightningmotorsports...69&cat=0&page=

thats the badboy im after

firedog25

Damn, at that price I see why they're out of stock.

Pop VII

I can understand the information desire but nothing of any consequence can be determined by the Gauge that is not detected by other methods. Many users have no clue on the limitations of the narrowband with FI or when and how the ECU uses that information.

It is just a simple voltmeter. Can build one for a couple of bucks from Radio Shack parts, buy a $35 Intellux or Cyberdyne, or even spend $274.50 as shown here in a link. They all provide the same amusement factor.

The only other practical benefit I can see it having is letting you know the $19.95 O2 sensor is still working. If the O2 fails, then will have a 20 second advance warning before the CEL light turns on.