The right gauges

[MCM]

In my first post I was advised to get some gauges. I have read many of your post on gauges and am now more confused than ever. I would like to order a set tomorrow and have seen some Autometer Ultra-lites at Geno’s. My questions are: (1) are Autometer Gauges OK? (2) is Geno’s a good place to get them? (3) do I need to ask for additional hardware to install them, other than a mount?

Thanks


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Mike McAuley, 2K1. 5,2500, QC SWB Auto 4X4, bright silver 3. 54 gears, ARE lid, Nurf bars, Torque Dog

 

[tmacc]

Mike,
I see by your sig. that you have a auto. If your going to put a trans temp gauge and a fuel pres gauge on, you might want to consider a combo gauge for the boost and EGT. I purchased the Westach boost/egt combo, trans temp, and fuel pres gauges form Geno's as well as the three pillar mount and am quite happy with them. (Althgough, I haven't received the fuel pres gauge yet. )They come with a green cover for the gauge lighting that matches dash lites pretty close. They also have a black bezel, which I like better than silver that the auto meters appear to have. There are other combo gauges out there, but I don't have any experience with them. Just my 2 pesos.

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'01 2500 4x4 4. 10 White/Driftwood QC plain SLT auto trans snow prep camper package tow package bed liner mopar mud flaps Reading Ind. 33" tall contractors cap. Toys: 3 mountain bikes, a cyclo-cross bike, and a road bike, plus a couple of whitewater kayaks. Yeah, I know their human powered, but the bikes are fun to modify too. Like spending $$$ to make trucks more powerful, It takes $$ to make bikes lighter. Titanium isn't cheap.

 

[Bad340fish]

Autometer makes an excelent gauge. I have the Carbon Fiber Series Boost and EGT guages and love them. I got them from Diesel Injection Service, I don't remember the web address but its in the TDR links section. Great prices(better than jegs and summmit) and great service. The Carbon Fiber guages are a little pricy compared to the ultra lights, But the Cool factor was way high so I went for them lol

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Clark
1999 2500 QC SB 5spd, EZ, Flowmaster 3 chamber, K&N Re-0880
1968 Barracuda Formula S Viper Blue 11. 98@112 Currently scattered all over the garage

 

[J. REUTER]

I installed autometer Z series egt and boost gauges yesterday. The Z series has a black bezel and orange indicator and match the factory gauges nicely. I installed a two gauge mount and hot glued it to the A pillar. Looks very cool. Bought the gauges from www.smokindiesel.com good price and great support.

John.

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2001. 5 2500 QC 4x4 SWB auto 3. 54 gears, EZ, autometer Z series egt & boost, AFE air filter.

 

[MCM]

Thanks for all the advise. I looked at some of the sites you guys gave me and may be able to save some $. Best of all I won’t waste time and money on bad gauges.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Mike, here's another angle. At least for pyro and boost guages. If your horsepower ambitions demand a fueling box, both the new TST http://www.tstproducts.com/whats_new.html and Blue Chip http://www.bluechipdiesel.com/diesel_engine_performance_products.htm fueling boxes are available with built in digital guages. I have the Blue Chip one and the pyro and boost guages can read out in both numeric and bar graph formats simultaneously. Blue green display is close to the OEM odometer/trip computer displays. Decisions, decisions, decisions #ad


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Kurt Voss
********* 1999 2500 24VCTD AUTO 4x4 QC LB Laramie SLT, Luverne stainless steel nerf bars, 3 piece bug deflector, mopar mud flaps, Line-X bedliner, Blue Chip Fuel Management System (Premium), Psychotty Air, DD3's,TTPM, DD 4" exhaust, HX40, DTT VB/TC(91%) , Mag-Hytec transmission pan... YEEEEEHAAAA!!

[This message has been edited by work2muchplay2little (edited 05-06-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by work2muchplay2little (edited 05-06-2001). ]

 

[Tim Adams]

Are You guys using The electronic or the manual trans. temp. gauge? I see Autometer has both available.

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2000 3500 SLT QC LB 4x4 AUTO. 3. 54, Dk. Garnet Red, Everything but Leather,J&J Stainless Running Boards, Rhino Bed Liner, 9. 5' Lance Camper

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Genos is an ok place to buy them, www.summitracing.com is cheaper. If you dont lik aluminum bezels, You can get black bezels on any Autometer gauge, its about 5 bucks extra. Call Autometer at 815-895-8141 and get specifics. I have The triple Gauge pod in my 2001 Auto and i have Autometer Trans temp, EGT and 0-35 Boost. Westach gauges are nice, since they are combos and therefore take up less space, but the triple pod looks fine in the Rams so its not really like you are hurting for room.

It is a well known fact that that Autometer produces the best gauges on the market. They are used by every NASCAR, NHRA, IHRA, IHBA, etc. race team. They have proably 5 times as many gauges then they advertise on thier site, so call if you dont see what you want. Nobody has more sizes, styles, colors and options then them. They come with green and red bulb covers and you can get blue covers too on on special order.
Some people like digitals like Spa and Cyberdyne, personally i cant stand digital displays because they are never steady and are affected by temp extremes. It is really what looks best to you that matters, but personally, i would go with Autometer, i have been using there products for over 10 years and never had a failure. If you dont go with Autometer, then go for the Westach or VDO, they too are very high quality. Good luck

 

[Brandon]

This is Brandons wife. I can't believe all these people on the internet highway recommend analog guages. Kinda 80 ish. You all have way more than $30,000. 00 in your truck and you skimp on something soooo important. Digital is so much nicer.
I'm a spa girl, when quality counts!!!

My reasoning:

1. Can glance and have accurate reading
day or night.

2. Stores peak readings of temp, egt, rear diff. , fuel etc. .

3. Quality is superior!!!

Then again this is only a woman speaking.
Danelle
( brandons wife)
click on sight to see professional installation of spa guages pillar and console pod.
My never too humble opinion.
(2nd post)

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Danelle's Dodge

 

[Bigsaint]

Danelle, I have one question for you... do you have a sister? #ad
Ut oh, here come's my wife gotta go ... .

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,SPA fuel pressure and temp. gauge,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Go-Rhino grill guard,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat,365. 8 HP on the dyno and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Brandon:
This is Brandons wife. I can't believe all these people on the internet highway recommend analog guages. Kinda 80 ish. You all have way more than $30,000. 00 in your truck and you skimp on something soooo important. Digital is so much nicer.
I'm a spa girl, when quality counts!!!

My reasoning:

1. Can glance and have accurate reading
day or night.

2. Stores peak readings of temp, egt, rear diff. , fuel etc. .

3. Quality is superior!!!

<font color=blue>Well its a matter of preference I guess, I can't stand the LCD readout that is used with the SPA's, if the readout were better then I "might" consider them. But for what they cost and the readout you get in my opnion ain't worth it. Also you say we all have over 30k in our trucks, which is true... . but just as an example what type of gauges are used in the racing industry? Nascar for example... their cars cost way more then $30,000 and they mostly use analog Autometers. So both the SPA's and the analog autometers are of quality build. I will say that the recall peak is a nice feature on the SPA's other then that they are no more appealing then analog. So people that choose analog Autometers I wouldn't say they are skimping, its just their preference. Just memorize the gauge face and you can glance at needle positon and have a close guess of what your at even at night, least thats what I do. As I said not putting down your opinion or anything, just giving some feedback on this side of the fence.
For our applications both the analog and spa's do what we need them to, just in different methods.

 

[John]

Talk about convoluted thinking Kat! #ad
The SPA gauges are so superior to EVERYTHING else on the market it's not even funny. Once the microprocessor in the SPA gauge is setup with user/owner installed parameters, the backlighting doesn't even need to be turned on... the red and yellow warning lights (one for each of the two functions monitored per gauge) alert the driver to possible trouble. Additionally, the SPA gauges can trigger any number of external devices, such as (but NOT EVEN REMOTELY limited to), NoX and/or propane introduction at a certain boost, a controlled engine shut down if the oil temp drops below a preset figure, engine shut down based on EGT... ... as you can see, you are only limited by your imagination and knowledge of electronics. Very trick stuff! I had VDO Vision series gauges in my Ram before I upgraded to the SPA combination gauges, both are very high quality gauges (as are Autometer gauges) however, the SPA combination gauges are the best of the best!

I currently have three SPA combination gauges that monitor SIX functions... that's right, SIX, not three as the analog gauges do. The cash outlay for the three SPA gauges seemed kind of brutal at first... that is until I remembered I was actually buying six gauges. After actually having had them installed in my Ram for three weeks now I can say I have come to appreciate them more each time I drive. These bad boys are definite keepers!

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & DD trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass w. trick billet block adapter and Aeroquip Teflon-s/s hoses, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP s/s fuel hoses, tricked out Cummins valve cover, tricked out Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[Archive]

The SPAs are very trick. I personally don't care for the digital readout on them. I still can't believe that a gauge that is so sophisticated can't even be "dimmed" at night, though! I have a difficult time seeing at night, and can't imagine not having this feature.
I tease the guys here that have SPAs about including sunglasses with each purchase.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

As for which transmission gauge to use, Electris or Mechancal, you have to use electric. The mechanical version is very hard to install becuase you dont have much of a hard tube with a 1/2" sender on it. It wont reach the Trans line and then very high up in the cab and it willl not fit in any pillar mount. It was primarily desiged for NHRA use where conservation of power is priority.
As for the argument over SPA gauges, Like i said, whatever makes you happy. But there is a reason why EVERY NHRA, NASCAR, IHRA, IHBA, Formula 1 and more are using ANALOG gauges and more then 90% are Autrmeter. And NONE of them use Spa gauges. Digital readouts are electronic, and therefore prone to failure from exxcess vibration and heat. That is why EVERY aircraft in the US military has Analog gauges even with digital displays so if a digital insturment fails, you have a Mechanical backup that uses no power. And these are alot higher quality digital insturments then Spa. Also mechanical gauges require no power to operate. As for being hard to read?, i dont see whats so hard about reading a gauge, if you ask me, its alot easier to read a needle on a big background then a bunch of numbers that are constantly jumping up and down. ThE only thing i like about digital gauges are the extra options like "Idiot" lights and remote turn ons and peak data holds, but i have no ise for that. Thats nice for some applications, but i want reliable, consistent, STEADY readings from my gauges. Everybody has there own opinion, Use what gauges make you happy. But there is no way you can convince me (and apparently all the sanctioning bodies i mentioned along with Boeing, McDonnel Douglas, Sikorsky, etc) that Digital readouts are the most relaible, Accurate gauges you can buy.

 

[Shovelhead]

"Old Racer's Tip"
If you use analog gauges, turn them so all the needles point straight up when in normal running mode. If you glance at them and one is off its very easy to notice.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I am well aware Boeing and Mc Donnel Douglas merged, i was reffering to the planes they have already built when they were seperate companies. And i never mentioned commercial airliners such as the 777, i am speaking strictly of military aircraft.
The Northrop B2 which costs 1 BILLION dollars each, has a complete set of analog, mechanical insturments next to all its fancy digital displays.
In any case, i am glad you enjoy your gauges so much. To each his own

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by John:
Talk about convoluted thinking Kat!

Thanks for the compliment #ad
I posted this at work, then came home went to bed,(I work nights now) figured it would ruffle some feathers #ad


Anyhow yes you montior two things with one gauge, yes you can trigger whatever you want, as I said if thats what ya like then go for it, however my opinion is pretty much against the readout. A gauge of that nature should have a lil bit better looknig readout then a $10 watch from Walmart (LCD). And someone mentioned they can't be dimmed? That stinks too #ad
Analog or Digital is a preference, they both do the job that we need done, I just didn't want any of the newer guys thinking anaolog is bad. I didn't put them down in my post other then the readout, if they had a decent readout then I would consider buying some, but truthfully happy with my lil UltraLites on the dash..... its hilarious I see people behind me at lights and what not (the ones tha can see over my tailgate) pointed at my gauges when I have my slider open... . #ad


As I said, digital or analog, what ever makes ya happy they both do the job. #ad

 

[John]

The SPA gauges cannot be dimmed however, the backlighting can be turned completely off by scrolling through the setup directory. As I stated in a previous post, once the warning light parameters are set the backlighting can be turned off, thereby having a completely "black" gauge... unless the red and/or yellow warning LEDs start flashing (and there's no way you can miss that).

..... just trying to help any of the newer members select the best gauges possible based on nothing less than all the facts. #ad

 

[MCM]

Thanks again for all the input/advise, I am a retired Navy pilot and like the analog gauges. I’ve called a couple of places this morning and no one yet seems to have the Autometer Ultra-lites in stock. I’ll keep trying. . Thanks again!

 

[John]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL:
But there is no way you can convince me Boeing, McDonnel Douglas that Digital readouts are the most relaible, accurate gauges you can buy.

#ad


#1, McDonnel Douglas merged with Boeing (much to the dislike of many of us at THE REAL Boeing Co. ) several years ago so there is NO "McDonnel Douglas" left

#2, EVERY Boeing plane starting with the introduction of the 777 as well as ALL subsequent derivatives of the 737 and now the 767 and 747 have digital flight decks. Analog? #ad
I may be wrong, but when I was in the cockpit of a 777 (one of the very first ones) I never saw anything resembling analog gauges.

One of the best things about the SPA gauges are the combination aspect of them. In my case, I have three gauges that monitor six functions... not a dash top and A-pillar full of crap to look at in order to obtain the same degree of operational statistics.

Personally, I could give two $h*ts what the NHRA, IHRA and other racing sanctioning bodies use... if I had a race car I WOULD BE using analog gauges as they can be read easier thus, interpreted more expediently (when EVERY fraction of a second counts)... many studies have shown this. Being that my Ram is street driven and not raced, I feel I have the epitomy of gauge technology in my beloved Ram. Install what you personally like in yours. #ad