Gauges: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

[dblvsn]

Ok, I'm still on the gauge subject, but I'm beginning to get a much better handle on things.

I ordered the Autometer 3-gauge pod for the dash of my NB (should be here this week) and need to get some gauges.

I'm "concrete" on getting Boost & EGT (these are decided), and I can't decide what's better Oil Pressure or Oil Temp .

The way I look at it is if I loose oil pressure, because of how the diesel handles oil in a rupture situation, I'm going to loose the oil so quickly I may not be able to react in time to really 'minimize' potential damage. So, what's this gauge really worth, asthetics?

If I get oil temp, I can monitor it like I monitor the boost/EGT, by looking at it regularly while driving. If the temp is starting to creep out of operating limits, I can shut things down before major damage occurs.

So....I'm thinking of oil temp over oil pressure. Opinions/advice most welcome.

Second, I'm contemplating adding a pillar two-gauge pod down the road. When I do this I'll add the other oil gauge and possibly a water temp.

Third, I'm still up in arms about mechanical vs. electronic boost gauges. I've read several posts about electronic, but I'm iffy about the electronic - the 'direct' vaccume connaction with mechanical makes me think it's more accurate. Posters say that electronic give equal or greater performance, and have full sweep whereas mechanical do not. I'm not really sure what "full sweep" means or how it applies to the gauge itself, but I'm thinking it may be better ?

Just for info...I'm debating on the Stewart Warner gauges vs. the Autometer Cobalt series. Both have good reputations, both have awesome looks (the cobalt matches NB's color theme exactly, and the SW's LEDs can be changed to blue for a 'matching look'. The SW are also drastically cheaper. SW Boost and Oil-whatever: $42ea, AM Boost: $168. Right now I'd feel comfortable getting SW Boost & Oil (adding the other 1 (EGT) gauge when it's affordable (it's $150)), OR, AM Boost (adding the other 2 gauges when it's affordable (Oil: $60-120 [pressure vs. temp], EGT $120)).

All advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated .

[noR]

If you get a hole in the oilpan and dump fluid; what'd happen to your EGT's?

& I'd go mechanical. It just seems like a simpler machine. Fewer points of failure.

[Billsbug]

Oil pressure. There's no way in hell your oil temps will get ever so hot that u'll hafta stop the car. Oil temps is really for highly modified cars on the track, but many times they have an oil cooler.

[dblvsn]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Oil temps is really for highly modified cars on the track, but many times they have an oil cooler.

Right-o, I'm modified, but not what I (or probably anyone else) would consider "highly modified". To boot, I'm planning on doing a larger oil cooler from a V6 4motion Passat (see this post on TDIClub).

[AccountingTroll]

Ohhhh, I like those gauges. To bad I'm at work and eBay is blocked. (Wonder why?)

Oh, the three gauges I'm getting for my ride are Oil Pressure, Water Temp, and Boost.

FYI, a dezzel does not make vacuum. That's why they have a vacuum pump. (this is from the other thread that I can not read anymore)

[FarrisK]

Another option to throw in the mix is to run a Water Temp gauge instead of an Oil pressure gauge. Personally, it really bothers me that our cars don't have water temperature gauges... just a little blue light.

[turbos03]

"The way I look at it is if I loose oil pressure, because of how the diesel handles oil in a rupture situation, I'm going to loose the oil so quickly I may not be able to react in time to really 'minimize' potential damage. So, what's this gauge really worth, asthetics"?

oil temp should be watched in a turbo/supercharged car, plus you're in a hot area so expect to see higher oil temps (I did when I was running one, I'm in TX)...

oil pressure gauge can come later if you do end up running another gauge pod, but you're right on the money if you're in a rupture situation you're going to lose pressure so fast that you aren't going to be able to react in time to save the engine...

mechanical vs. electronic... it's up to you, but like I said before for the money the mechanical type are a good choice...

[dblvsn]

I looked at Glow Shift on eBay and you can buy a package of 3 gauges Boost, EGT, and Oil Pressure for $139.99 + $19.99 for shipping. That's $159.98 for all three to your door! Man, that's awesome!

Now, if I can only get Checker Auto Parts to match the price and give me their guaranteed 5% lower pricing . I'd walk out for 132.99 + tax. That's PIMP!

[dblvsn]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

Not many places at all will match eBay prices or internet prices...

I totally understand, I was shocked when the counter clerk @ Checker said that they'd match an internet price!

[Billsbug]

Water temps is BY FAR the priority, next is oil pressure, then boost. You overheat, ur toast, u have no oil, ur toast, u have no boost, ur just slow.

[AccountingTroll]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Water temps is BY FAR the priority, next is oil pressure, then boost. You overheat, ur toast, u have no oil, ur toast, u have no boost, ur just slow.

I agree with this to a point. With his set up he needs to know over boost and high EGT. If it were my car, I'd be putting in 4 with EGT on the A pillar and water, oil pressure and boost on the 3 center pod.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by AccountingTroll

I agree with this to a point. With his set up he needs to know over boost and high EGT. If it were my car, I'd be putting in 4 with EGT on the A pillar and water, oil pressure and boost on the 3 center pod.

I agree w/that set-up, but are you going to be racing this TDI? Why would u need an EGT gauge for everyday driving?

[AccountingTroll]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

I agree w/that set-up, but are you going to be racing this TDI? Why would u need an EGT gauge for everyday driving?

(with a big smile on my face) Why did he put a Stage 3 Euro Rocketchip in?

I have to assume he's going to use that chip. I know I would.

[dblvsn]

Originally Posted by AccountingTroll

If it were my car, I'd be putting in 4 with EGT on the A pillar and water, oil pressure and boost on the 3 center pod.

Man, you guys always get me in trouble my making me realize I need to buy more stuff ! I agree about the water temp, it is a very important gauge - especially here in AZ where most of our summer is over 110 degrees and spikes to 120 degrees are not that out of the ordinary (BTW - it doesn't matter how how it is after 110, you just run from A/C'd house, to A/C'd car, to A/C'd work, to A/C'd shopping, and don't go outside for any length of time ).

Anyway, with all this new info I'm solid on the boost gauge and still up in the air about the other two. The question THEN becomes what are the best choice of gauges for the last two holes: oil pressure (oil temp. is out for now), EGT, and water temperature?

I'm thinking: boost, EGT, and water temperature , but not exactly sure.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by AccountingTroll

Stage 3 Euro Rocketchip

There's a such thing?! HP/TQ? (may want to swap in a TDI later)

[AccountingTroll]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

There's a such thing?! HP/TQ? (may want to swap in a TDI later)

Ohhhhyaaa. You can push that engine even futher. With just the RC3 that car should easly push 185hp. I'm not sure what the torque curve looks like.

Now add on bigger injectors, turbo...

How much money you got?

[Billsbug]

Stage 3 is only 185hp?

[grtn316]

Originally Posted by dblvsn

Man, you guys always get me in trouble my making me realize I need to buy more stuff ! I agree about the water temp, it is a very important gauge - especially here in AZ where most of our summer is over 110 degrees and spikes to 120 degrees are not that out of the ordinary (BTW - it doesn't matter how how it is after 110, you just run from A/C'd house, to A/C'd car, to A/C'd work, to A/C'd shopping, and don't go outside for any length of time ).

Anyway, with all this new info I'm solid on the boost gauge and still up in the air about the other two. The question THEN becomes what are the best choice of gauges for the last two holes: oil pressure (oil temp. is out for now), EGT, and water temperature?

I'm thinking: boost, EGT, and water temperature , but not exactly sure.

Water temp & oil pressure are VERY important...when you start pushing the motor hard I'd get an EGT. The only time the EGT gauge is gonna do you any good is when your excessively pushing the car out of the turbos efficiency range, hot lapping the car or you have a real aggressive tune. When it comes to diesels I tend to think boost is the least important because you can usually tell if you have a leak by the sudden loss of power (as with any turbo'd car) or alot of smoke. Its useful information but its not a gauge thats gonna keep your car alive. If it was a gasoline car then I would definitely recommend getting a boost gauge.

I don't know too much about the RCx stuff as I just joined the TDI world so if RC3 pushes your car pretty hard then I'd consider getting an EGT as well.

If you want to do things RIGHT and keep your car healthy I'd just bite the bullet and get all 4. You could put the 4th one (boost) in the glove box if you had to.

[bigsexyTDI]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Stage 3 is only 185hp?

It aint about the HP in a diesel brotha...its the torque. And actually 185 is pretty darn optimistic. But like I said...nomadduh!
Check out this dyno chart. Its a guy on TDI club.
about 150 HP but almost 350 FTLBS!!! haha and at 2300RPMs
Thats the difference in the TDI.

[grtn316]

Why did the torque & hp spike and drop so much?