Mechanical or Electric Boost Gauge

[funnylittlman]

Which ones do you Prefer?http://www.overboost.com/obs/product/60boostwhite.jpg
$230Electrical or $94-$120Mechanical?

http://store.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/atm-4301.jpg
$44.99 Just Mechanical

http://store3.yimg.com/I/topendimports_1733_2516242
$350 Too damn expensive, but what the hell


http://store1.yimg.com/I/titanmotorsports_1727_539780
Electrical or Mechanical

http://store5.yimg.com/I/machv_1740_12412838
DEFI Electrical (which means I have to buy the controller) OR the Mechanical for $124.99 found at http://www.speedfactor.net/products/neon/gauge.html

[scapamouche]

I went with the Autometer gauge. It looks pretty similar to the stock gauge faces, and it read out in psi rather than metric, and it was inexpensive.

I kind of wish I'd been able to find one with a LOWER range: maybe max out at 10-13 psi. I have no intention of messing with the boost, and only using the first 20-25% of the boost range of the gauge seems a waste...

[funnylittlman]

Yeah,

I agree. I have no intention w/ messing w/ the stock settings (for now under warranty).

I don't know what to get though. I know the autometer only has a light up for the face (no back light) and it's white, no?

[t3ase]

I've read (here) that Autometer gauges are not always accurate. I'm the type of person that tries not to "just get by".. If I'm going to do it, I want it done right and I want quality stuff. I'll be getting either a Blitz BL or Blitz ID with a blue face.

[ping]

I've seen the Autometer Ultra lite 2" for $55, where'd you find it for $45? I like that "look" the best personally, though I'm a big fan of VDOs (having come from VW tuning...) as being both good and not too expensive. VDO's Cockpit series seems like it would work...

I'm also getting a matching damn CLOCK. Sick and tired of driveplaying with the music off and not being able to tell what time it is, and looking at my wristwatch sometimes makes the car turn ;)

Oh - another option may be Stewart Warner, a web search turned this up: 30in hg to 15PSI, red lighting, white/silver/black faces available, may be just the ticket at about $57 with installation kit/tubing:

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/stewarn16.htm

Don't know anything about Stewart Warner though (but I think one of my old 3-speed bikes had a S-W speedo...). gauge face may look a little old-school for me.

[ARunto]

Defi mechanical is what i'd recommend

[funnylittlman]

Ping,

I found the Ultra light for $44.95 at Summit Racing

Arunto, that's what I was leaning towards :D.. we'll see it's a little pricey (but is it Accurate and Orange?)

[nmaino]

I have the electric Greddy. Love the thing. Looks good, color matches well, and the scale is not out of this world (it goes to 2 bar). The only thing that was steep was the price, but I got it for $180.00 at autoimagenhancement.com (I think that is right).

[I-Am-Chris]

there is no need for a boost gauge iof you r leaving it stock. But if you want one DEFI makes the most accurate gauges but you pay for that. Electrical gauges are going to be more accurate and have better response but again you pay for that. U can get the autometer ones just up to 15 psi and you can also get the ones to read just boost no vac. BTW an Autometer boost gauge would be the only gauge I would use from them.

[I-Am-Chris]

also when you go with the 60mm electric ones instead of the 52 on the greddy you get the warning feature, peak hold and switched output for the warning (which you can wire someti ng up to it and it can turn on or off what you choose if you hit the warning)

[scapamouche]

The autometer gauge is silver. It's actually a pretty good match for the MSP gauge cluster...

I'm just waiting on a mounting cup before I install mine.

[APEXistud]

Defi man, you'll thank everyone later. But, if you're looking to match the factory orange, then you'll have to go with Crappymeter (autometer) or GReddy.

[scapamouche]

The mounting cup showed up today. I ordered it YESTERDAY! Gotta love Summit!

I installed it this afternoon, no real issues. I haven't hooked up the lighting yet, but it works well.

I've seen peak boost just over 7psi indicated, but it doesn't always get that high. By the time I get to redline, the boost has fallen off to 5psi. Hmmm...

[I-Am-Chris]

Originally posted by scapamouche
The mounting cup showed up today. I ordered it YESTERDAY! Gotta love Summit!

I installed it this afternoon, no real issues. I haven't hooked up the lighting yet, but it works well.

I've seen peak boost just over 7psi indicated, but it doesn't always get that high. By the time I get to redline, the boost has fallen off to 5psi. Hmmm...

Can you say shitty BOV! BTW the Greddy Silver face almost match perfect. They light up orange like the gauges.

[Dexter]

i <3 my greddy silver face!!

[unwrittenLaw]

I'm also getting a matching damn CLOCK. Sick and tired of driveplaying with the music off and not being able to tell what time it is, and looking at my wristwatch sometimes makes the car turn

same here...what clock you going to get?

[t3ase]

Originally posted by ping
I'm also getting a matching damn CLOCK. Sick and tired of driveplaying with the music off and not being able to tell what time it is, and looking at my wristwatch sometimes makes the car turn ;)
You know you can change the display options when the headunit is in standby so that the time/date shows...

[ping]

Really? No foolin, I'm pretty OK at radidios and such, and I'm STILL buggered by this one. Maybe I'm too old for it. Don't get me wrong, I like the display and the sound, but definitely wouldn't mind bigger buttons... I'll have to check out getting the display to show me clock when it's in "ALL OFF" mode. Also have to get rid of that d@mn casino video when I'm in the other mode (I'm in text only).

As far as the clock, I'll be getting whichever one matches the boost gauge. Looking like Autometer as shown in the first post, but I still like the VDO's. Haven't taken the time to take pictures out to the car and match 'em up with the instrumentation, and I'm still deciding on pillar mounting vs. losing the useful cupboard under the radio. 'Course, under the radio I could get THREE gauges... clock, boost, and either oil temp or oil pressure... something to tell me when the oil is nice and flowy...

[Logan]

Originally posted by ping

I'm also getting a matching damn CLOCK. Sick and tired of driveplaying with the music off and not being able to tell what time it is, and looking at my wristwatch sometimes makes the car turn ;)

You can program the head unit to display time when it's not doing anything.
I quite frequently drive with no tunes, and I got mine to show the time.

[funnylittlman]

And get rid of the casino thing.

It's all in the settings.. just tell it to turn off the DEMO :D

[RX-KEVIN]

Get the cheapest mechanical gauge you can find and spend the money you save on parts to make the car faster

[ping]

OK, OK, I admit the reason I want a gauge is the "bling bling" factor... but with what Mazda has on the car already I'm having a tough time making any super "meaningful" improvements.

I got a round shift knob because I like the round knob (ichiban, JC Whitney, orange leather over aluminum, $29, anyone want to buy a Sparco?), I got a trailer hitch (see other thread) to mount the bike rack... hmmm... 120' of thin orange pinstriping that I haven't gotten around to installing and may never (anyone want to share? I've got enough to stripe a semi truck here...), Fiamm dual tone horns (no more Roadrunner meep meep, a "worthy" upgrade) and that's about it!

Only other thing I'd change would be maybe a CAI but only once we get this hesitation thing worked out (see OTHER other thread)...

[Talonted]

I would definitely go with a MECHANICAL. The only experience I have had with the electricals has been mis-readings and a bunch of problems, plus they cost more, plus they are harder to hook up! Mechanical is one of the many things where you get accuracy, good price, and ease of install!

[RX-KEVIN]

have you stoped by the track ping

[ping]

Yep, went to the track this weekent (Summit Point) but as a spectator not a participant... yet... have to find oput about some local autox's... and still have to fiddle with that radio display...

[I-Am-Chris]

Originally posted by Talonted
I would definitely go with a MECHANICAL. The only experience I have had with the electricals has been mis-readings and a bunch of problems, plus they cost more, plus they are harder to hook up! Mechanical is one of the many things where you get accuracy, good price, and ease of install!

I have never had a problem with them. The only problem I've had r with mech. ones. Crimping the line or such. Which elect ones did u have a problem with?

[slamprotege5]

I was looking on jegs website and the three gauges I am looking at getting are electrical, and a little cheaper than the mechanical. Should I order the electrical ones? I know they are Autometer but mainly going for looks in a three gauge pillar pod. Thanks for any input. 104 days till Nopi :D

[SaaBaaDoo]

couple of questions...

Where are you guys mounting your gauges at? Do you have pods, if so, where did you get them? I would like to get a psi boost gauge and an a/f guage. Was thinking about building a dual pillar pod out of fiberglass then painting it to match the existing color of the pillar.

Let me know please, the last thing I want to do is drill a big ass hole in my dash like my dumb-ass friend suggested!!!

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by APEXistud
Defi man, you'll thank everyone later. But, if you're looking to match the factory orange, then you'll have to go with Crappymeter (autometer) or GReddy.

Nothing crappy about autometer boost gauges...they work and look better than gauges that cost 3x as much. Go look for my "wiring gauges" thread somewhere to see pics of mine. I get a lot of compliments, as they look very close to "stock". If Autometer makes a white faced ELECTRIC gauge, then go with that. The mechanical gauges are a PAIN to run.

[slamprotege5]

I have found 3 gauge full A-pillar pods at jegs.com and egauges.com

[Apexi]

mechanical, no question.

[AGR]

Originally posted by SaaBaaDoo
couple of questions...

Where are you guys mounting your gauges at? Do you have pods, if so, where did you get them? I would like to get a psi boost gauge and an a/f guage. Was thinking about building a dual pillar pod out of fiberglass then painting it to match the existing color of the pillar.

Let me know please, the last thing I want to do is drill a big ass hole in my dash like my dumb-ass friend suggested!!!

Here's what I did.........Nice and Clean! Boost Gauge w/Turbo Timer. I need nothing else.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd23b3127cce94a5634322b20000001610