Which Gauges to buy

[Archive]

The digital units are nice, recording peak values etc. , but I'm still partial to analog. At a quick glance you can easily tell if something is out-of-wack.

I've had the combo boost/egt and transmission temp from Westach on mine for the past year and like 'um. I'm about to add their fuel pressure guage, that has a user set warning high output LED. When that LED goes on you can also run a buzzer or with a relay anything else you want, i. e. a second fuel pump. Westach also offers switches for multiple senders including thermocouples.

I dunno, but for less than half the cost of the SPAs I feel I'm well enough informed, and they complement my stock cluster.

my 2. 5 cents

 

[RobG]

I used to have the ISSPRO EGT and Boost guages, and the Banks oil temp guage.

Then one day, my EGT guage died. Actually, I didn't know if it was the guage or the thermocouple, and nobody could test the guage to tell me.

In disgust, I said screw it and ordered three SPA guages -- the Fuel Pressure/Oil Temp, Trans Temp/Rear End Temp, and EGT/Boost. Ripped out the ISSPRO/Banks stuff and installed these guys.

Yeah, I liked the analog better because it was neat watching the needs move, BUT, this way I have SIX readouts in the space of three.

Now if I can just make the backlighting not so dang bright, I'll be VERY happy.

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate 4. 10 USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, Edge EZ, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.

 

[DGFoster]

Which gauges should I get,ive heard about the digital gauges all in one gauge,are these better and were do I get them? thanks.

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Dave Foster:3500 Quad cab,auto,light driftwood,muffler and resinator are history,Van Aakens. DTT vb and tc on the way...
Amsoiled all the way

 

[Bob Wagner]

HVAC sells SPA digital gauges
www.performancediesel.net

 

[EMDDIESEL]

In my opinion, Auto Meter is the way to go, they make the best looking gauges by far. They are also the most reliable, with VDO a close second. 99% of all the NASCAR, NHRA, IHRA, IHBA, etc are using Auto meter. There "Sport Comp" series when used with the green bulb covers look almost stock. The only boost gauge they list in that series only goes up to 20 PSI. But Jannetty racing has the same gauge custom made up to 30PSI or 50 PSI. Autometer also makes boost gauges in the "Ultra-lite", "Phantom", "Pro-comp" And soon "Lunar" series. They have great customer service and the one time i had a Tach problem with one of thier products, they fixed it right away and sent me a new one. They are first class. I have thier Sport comp, Trans temp, Boost (o-30psi) and EGT gauges in thier "Gauge works" "A" pillar mount. Looks and works great. www.jannettyracing.com stocks all thier stuff

 

[Dr.Evil]

I agree with EDMDIESEL, - Autometer is the only way to go. There's only about 6-8 companies that actually MAKE automotive Gauges. Autometer, VDO, and S-W are the main ones. Then a bunch of real small mfg's that make for everyone else that markets a gauge. It only costs just a little more for a dependable gauge that could save You $1000's in repairs. Like when Son twisted His Oil pump drive shaft in half.

DENNY... ... .

 

[Arcticat]

I have seen or drove trucks that have had Westach, Isspro, VDO, SPA, and banks. I prefer the autometer ultra light series over all of them. Every gauge is a very complete package with every detail very well thought out. I prefer analog to digital so the SPA was out for me, and the lighting on the autometers is the least objectionable that I've seen. They now make a 60psi boost gauge in the ultra light series so unless you want the sport comp you don't have to pay extra for the custom gauge. Also I had them put black bezels on all the gauges for an extra $5 a gauge instead of the regular brushed alluminum bezel. They look very sharp this way IMO. The quality of this gauge vs that gauge is something I don't really know anything about, but it is true that most racers by far use autometer.

 

[Partyat33]

I LOVE the SPA Dual EGT/Boost gauge.

No regrets.

Dennis

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2001. 5 3500 4X4 Quad Cab, ETH, Dark Garnet Red. Back Country SS Nerf Bars, Kanduco Grill Inserts (sweet tooth), SPA Boost and EGT Gauges, Step II injectors, Power Edge EZ, Custom graphics package, LineX bed liner.

 

[KatDiesel]

<font color=blue>Autometer Ultra-Lites are the only gauges that will eve be in my truck. Love'em... .

Racing industry uses Autometer all the time so I figure its "Good" enough for my lil truck.

I love the way they look... ... looks liek they make a 0 to 60psi gauge now, but there is also a 0 to 50psi version out there... ...

 

[Max340]

Is anyone mounting these guages on the top edge of the dash above the stock cluster? If so, what sort of mount do you have, and is there a "pod" that would mount up there and look like a decent addition (close to stock styling)?



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Y2K 2500 QC Sport 4x4 LWB
72 Dart 340
89 LeBaron GTC 2. 2 TI

 

[24V-DSL]

Dave... .

I looked at all of them and chose Di Pricol for several reasons:

I wanted analog.

EGT reading starts at zero, while other analogs started at 250. Now that I have them, it really doesn't matter because shut-down temps won't go much below that, but I still like to look at a cold gauge in the morning that shows almost zero.

The boost goes to 60lbs. , not that I'm ever going to get close to that. But, as you know, some analogs only go to 20 or 30 and I thought that was shortsighted design.

I just liked the look. They are very high quality and I mounted them in separate VDO adjustable cups on the dash near the pillar. They work great... very responsive.

They are both back lit and easy to read at night. The egt needle isn't lighted, but it doesn't really matter... . I can see the needle fine. The boost needle is lighted.

To each his own... .

See them at www.tttproducts.com

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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost.

 

[24V-DSL]

Uhhh... .

Try www.tstproducts.com

sorry

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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost.

 

[JJMiller]

I just ordered guages. I ordered the ISSPRO 2-50psi turbo pressure guage, a dual EGT guage from Westach, and 0-30psi fuel pressure from Westach. I'm housing them all in an AutoMeter 3-guage A-Pillar pod (with speaker cutout) from Geno's.

I have the turbo pressure guage. Love it. I have the pillar mount--they could have done a little better, but they have a monopoly on the product. Westach takes a while to get their stuff out, end of the month maybe.

I like analog because it lets you see rates of change, not just numbers. If you look at a digital guage, you know that it's X. If you look at an analog guage, you instantly know that it's X, and that it's rising/falling/steady, and how fast it's rising or falling. Everyone has opinions, go with what you like.

--J

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John Miller

'01 2500 Quad Cab, ETC-DDX, SLT, Long Bed 4X4, Tow, Travel, 3. 54, Camper spl, Forest Green, Line-X
bed liner, silencer ring removed, guages on order

 

[RobbyRam]

I chose 'Westach' from Geno's Garage because they make gauges for airplanes where accuracy means landing safely or crashed on landing!

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Y2K Awesome Black LB 3500 QC SLT, 24Valve ETC ISB, 4x4, 4:10 LSD, DTT Custom prepared Auto transmission VB, Power Edge 'EZ', DD2's, K&N, Polished Stull Billet Grill/Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges, Rancho 9000's, Diamond Plated Tool Box, + a bunch of other stuff. Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[DGFoster]

Thats what I ended up with Westach,egt and boost all in one gauges.
Thanks for all the info guys #ad


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Dave Foster:3500 Quad cab,auto,K&N,light driftwood,muffler and resinator are history,Van Aakens,DTT VB and TC,
Amsoiled all the way!!
Whats next!!

 

[PAYCHECK]

I have the Auto Meter Pro Comps, i really like them and have not had any problems. My EGT gauge starts at zero. The boost is from 0# to 30#. Green backlight matches the stock perfectly, looks good on FULL a-pillar mount with speaker. I would not have any other type of gauge,IMHO!

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01 2500HD QC,SB,3. 54,5 spd,4X4,241HD,SLT+,Sport all black,fully loaded,all leather htd,jacobs e-brake,tow pack,camper pack,,full rhino lining bed and rocker panels,265/75r16 BFG ATs ko,nerf bars,everthing black,4'' Jardine,A. M. Pro Comp pyro & boost on a-pillar,EZ,NO stickers except cummins on door,License plate-1 CUMN, NRA endowment life member

 

[K_Arts]

I disagree with the guys above. I have Autometer Ultralights. . and I hate them. Not only does the lighting suck on them, but I am going on my 3rd EGT gauge. For some reason on my first gauge, the needle would just start freaking out jumping all over the place. So I sent it back to Autometer. They just sent me a new gauge and probe. I installed them Tuesday, and no luck. This new gauge and probe are the same way. So I have to send them back to autometer tomorrow.

They do have excellent service, but the product seems very poorly constructed IMO. The service guy at Autometer said that he will send me the "newly designed" gauge and see if that helps out.

If I could do over again, I'd go with SPA.

Just my $. 02

Kev

[This message has been edited by K_Arts (edited 04-06-2001). ]

 

[David Wheeler]

There have been a few remarks about the SPA gauges having too bright a back light. Is the back light power and the gauge power separate? If so, why couldn't we just simply install a "dimmer" switch in series with the back light power so we can set it to any brightness we choose? Input, opinions...

David

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2001 3500 SLT, 4X4, ETH Cummins/DEE, LSD, 3. 54, Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Additional Body Molding on Bed, Line-X bed-liner.

"REAL TRUCKS RATTLE!!"

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by David Wheeler:
There have been a few remarks about the SPA gauges having too bright a back light. Is the back light power and the gauge power separate? If so, why couldn't we just simply install a "dimmer" switch in series with the back light power so we can set it to any brightness we choose? Input, opinions...

I just sent them email on this problem. Heck, I think a replacement instrument pad would be an option. A LOT of values are in the ECU that just need to be printed to a display... .


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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[Brandon]

well you could always continue to send ron at spa a polite christmas list, you never know what might occur

B... ... ...
click on sig and go to the photo album to see many spa's installed


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Danelle's Dodge