Gauges

[Crock]

I'm going to get my Leadfoot bezel done soon and I want to pick out a pair of gauges that look like the speedo and tach. Which gauges are the closest, strictly in terms of appearance? If you have specific part numbers, please include them.
I'm defiinitely getting a boost gauge but I haven't decided what to fill the second hole with yet.


Thanks.

[Captain KRM P5]

autometer ultralites. silver face, red light, red needle. matches the stock ones best for the price IMHO. i'd go with boost and maybe EGT depending on what your plans are for the car

[ChiMSP]

Autometer ultralites
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ChiMSP/Dual%20bezel.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/ChiMSP/Boost%20Gauge.jpg .
Maybe get an A/f gauge to go w/ the boost gauge

[Captain KRM P5]

nice pics sam

[Matthew]

i wouldnt waste money on a narrow air fuel gauge, its almost just for show. cant do any tunning with it at all. if you cant shell out for a wideband, buy an elec fuel press gauge and EGT gauge.

[daedalus]

*cough* defi d-gauge *cough*... just personal pick... I dont like the autometer series, i've had way to many problems with faulty readings, slow reactions on their egt's, etc.

but its up to you. the d-gauge matches stock lighting pretty darn well...

http://www.msprotege.com/members/YP5%20Toronto/gauges/gauges1.JPG

this thread has some good examples...

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74919&page=1&pp=15&highlight=defi+gauges

[ChiMSP]

nice pics sam
Thanks. I have you to thank for the gauges(cool)

[Shane-O]

Defi guages are sweet, but if I had like a lot of money I would get the Blitz carbon black light guages they are sweet. But at like 200 a piece I think not. I got the CF AutoMeter Air/Fuel and Boost ones and they look pretty nice too with the interior of the car cause they have yellow lines which match the stiching and stuff(well at least on the 03.5's)

[JHew84]

Defi guages are sweet, but if I had like a lot of money I would get the Blitz carbon black light guages they are sweet. But at like 200 a piece I think not. I got the CF AutoMeter Air/Fuel and Boost ones and they look pretty nice too with the interior of the car cause they have yellow lines which match the stiching and stuff(well at least on the 03.5's)

see but defi gauges cost a lot for a reason, their sensors are awesome, and IMO are probably the best on the market, your not only paying for a gauge to look pretty (which it seems a lot of people look for that over performance) but your also paying for performance, it would be like buying the cheap CAI that skimped on all the little stuff like clamps/air filter/etc, if you want the best, you pay for the best :D... personally when i get around to it my entire lineup will be the defi BF series gauges, run off the control unit and the daisy chain system, you can store "data" up to 2 min IIRC and play it back, so you can store your 1/4 or auto-x run, then when your done, hit replay and it will tell you EXACTLY what your car was doing in the last X minutes/seconds... the only downfall i see to the BF series gauges is that they ONLY come in 2 5/8" :(, does anyone else run bigger gauges like that? i'd be curious to see what they look like inside the car...

[UnNaturalinc]

I'm having all the acc. gauges made to match the factory gauges. Here is the tach that was made to match (I won't be using it anymore). They will all have 'MazdaSpeed' that lights up. Three will be on the A-Pillar, have not decided on the others yet.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/pedf6fae477d9b5e86c445e8312a55a70/f9162b3f.jpg

I might even go as far as to getting custom overlays done so the red is exactly the same.

daedalus, That set-up looks very nice. :thumbs-up:

[Yay-Boost]

Stewart Warner match the best that I've seen. These pictures are old. I now have the DaveB rings and they look very stock!
www racerpartswholesale.com
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Yay-Boost/Day-gauge-CROPPED.jpghttp://www.msprotege.com/members/Yay-Boost/Night-gauge-CROPPED.jpg

[Captain KRM P5]

I'm having all the acc. gauges made to match the factory gauges. Here is the tach that was made to match (I won't be using it anymore). They will all have 'MazdaSpeed' that lights up. Three will be on the A-Pillar, have not decided on the others yet.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/pedf6fae477d9b5e86c445e8312a55a70/f9162b3f.jpg

I might even go as far as to getting custom overlays done so the red is exactly the same.

daedalus, That set-up looks very nice. :thumbs-up:
wow that looks sharp

[Dexter]

Greddy silverface 60mm match almos exactly but also pricey as hell

[II-Savy]

The Autometer are the best for the money and just the best period. Real racers use them, they are top quality. The Ultra Lite series matches better than some of the other gauges shown in the thread.....and the A/F gauge is perfect for the dash of a normal every day driver...it shows nicely when you go rich which is important. This A/F gauge does not show the exact number....so if your after the exact number your outta luck, but most people don't need or want the EXACT number.

[Dexter]

my definition of matching would be the numbers also lighting up, not just some face backlighting.

[UnNaturalinc]

The Autometer are the best for the money and just the best period. Real racers use them, they are top quality. The Ultra Lite series matches better than some of the other gauges shown in the thread.....and the A/F gauge is perfect for the dash of a normal every day driver...it shows nicely when you go rich which is important. This A/F gauge does not show the exact number....so if your after the exact number your outta luck, but most people don't need or want the EXACT number.

Yeah, Autometer is a pretty good bang for the buck. :thumbs-up:



Dexter, Everything matching is what's money, exactly. That's why I might get custom face overlays so everything will be exact. :-D

[Leadfoot]

I'm using the SW-Performance as well, and am really happy with the look during day & night....the numbers are backlit so you only get the numbers illuminated at night, and during day it's the silver faces.

I love the Defi's...but cost is a factor. the SW's run around $50 a piece.

[goku4658]

anyone know if the Defi D-series a/f can be hooked up to a wideband sensor?

[Rawyzf]

Autometer Phantom!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Rawyzf/Mazda%20023.jpg http://www.msprotege.com/members/Rawyzf/Mazda%20020.jpg

[Yay-Boost]

Stewart Warner finally released a EGT gauge too. Around $100 not bad. I think I'll be switching out my oil pressure. Cheap A/F gauges are worthless for our cars. They aren't going to tell you if it's rich are not under boost. They tell you it's rich because it's under 14.7. 14 at 6,000 RPM's is not good but, with normal A/F gauge you won't know. EGT gives better indication of what is going on at a reasonable price.

[WillisW555]

Dood, that bezel/guage pod is dope. Is that the one that leadfoot (I think) was making?

I have the autometer ultralite. Matches pretty decent.

[Brian MP5T]

Autometer Ultralites for a MSP
Autometer Phantom for a P5

[II-Savy]

Autometer Ultralites for a MSP
Autometer Phantom for a P5

Exactly....

[ChiMSP]

Dood, that bezel/guage pod is dope. Is that the one that leadfoot (I think) was making?

I have the autometer ultralite. Matches pretty decent.
Yep, leadfoot is the man.

[Reitrof]

Anybody got a link for a place that sells the SW's?

Thanks.

[spacemonkey]

I would say VDO is best bang for buck...old porsches use to have them and they make gauges for airplanes. They make more sense since they use metric system. But adapting them to Japanese cars maybe a problem but to NPT anb BSPT standards....make sure the product you are using has the same standard.

Autometer I believe has its innacuracies (from what peopel say)....

my blitz BLM

http://www.msprotege.com/members/spacemonkey/blitznight.jpg

Horsepowerfreak...the gauges look hot! How big is that tach? is it a replacement for the stock on in the dash? Or just one that mounts to any 52mm place?

[Vampyre]

when i get my leadfoot bezel i am gettin stewart warner guages found a place 3 miles away that is a dealer

[Pretzellogic]

Defi D-gauges match perfectly.

[Leadfoot]

SW-Performance dealer: www.mcnewsautomotive.com (http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com) that's where I got mine, quick shipping & great customer service.

[II-Savy]

SW-Performance dealer: www.mcnewsautomotive.com (http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com/) that's where I got mine, quick shipping & great customer service.

Sweet boost gauge
http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/114538.jpg
15psi, full sweep, that needle will be all over the place. I like it.

The oil press look only ok. short sweep, or whatever you call it for the electrical version.
http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/114256.jpg (http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=mcnew&Product_Code=EOPG&Category_Code=OILPG)

EDIT:
I didn't realize only the numbers light up, that's WAY WAY cool. Much nicer than the autometer lighting.

[Leadfoot]

^agreed...which is why I went with them...cost effective too! Here's a pic of mine at night so you get an idea. I went with the mech. oil pressure gauge for the 270* sweep. SW makes a stainless steel braided line that directly connects to the gauge & fitting on your engine block to prevent leakage in the passenger compartment that I'm going to get...it's about $45, but worth the insurance.

[Vampyre]

nice i want the oil pressure and boost. thanks for the pic

[II-Savy]

^agreed...which is why I went with them...cost effective too! Here's a pic of mine at night so you get an idea. I went with the mech. oil pressure gauge for the 270* sweep. SW makes a stainless steel braided line that directly connects to the gauge & fitting on your engine block to prevent leakage in the passenger compartment that I'm going to get...it's about $45, but worth the insurance.

Dude I've always thought running an oil into the car was a real real bad idea. You could get leaks at the fitting ends not the line it's self.

[Leadfoot]

^^that's why I'm buying the $45 line. It's got compression fittings on each end, so all you have to do is pipe-tape your threads, then tighten it onto the back of the gauge. I have had that gauge for almost a year without it being hooked up because I haven't gotten around to getting that line. There's no way I would trust the small plastic line that it comes with....and I wouldn't even think of doing it if I didn't trust what I'm using. If the fitting ends leaked, then the gauge would be faulty & that would be another item entirely....who know's, I may never get around to hooking this one up! LOL!! Ideally I'd get the Defi's, but $$ is definitely a factor. Thanks for the concern though....if/when I get around to doing it I'll post up on successes/failures.

[II-Savy]

^^that's why I'm buying the $45 line. It's got compression fittings on each end, so all you have to do is pipe-tape your threads, then tighten it onto the back of the gauge. I have had that gauge for almost a year without it being hooked up because I haven't gotten around to getting that line. There's no way I would trust the small plastic line that it comes with....and I wouldn't even think of doing it if I didn't trust what I'm using. If the fitting ends leaked, then the gauge would be faulty & that would be another item entirely....who know's, I may never get around to hooking this one up! LOL!! Ideally I'd get the Defi's, but $$ is definitely a factor. Thanks for the concern though....if/when I get around to doing it I'll post up on successes/failures.
Yea I hear ya. I hope you have good luck with it. It just seems the electrical ones are just easier....but of course as I say that, my oil pressure gauge is not hooked up also because I broke 2 brass adapters and had to call AAA. I bought a SS adapter but haven't done it yet. LOL maybe I should drive down to Philly and we can have a oil pressure install party.

[Reitrof]

I found the SW at DriveFX for a little cheaper. Has anyone ordered from them?

http://www.7453217467431.com/products/productDetails.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=4011335&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=4073259&affID=DFX&affID=DFX&affiliate=DFX&bmUID=1105905888515

[jurgs01]

see but defi gauges cost a lot for a reason, their sensors are awesome, and IMO are probably the best on the market, your not only paying for a gauge to look pretty (which it seems a lot of people look for that over performance) but your also paying for performance, it would be like buying the cheap CAI that skimped on all the little stuff like clamps/air filter/etc, if you want the best, you pay for the best :D... personally when i get around to it my entire lineup will be the defi BF series gauges, run off the control unit and the daisy chain system, you can store "data" up to 2 min IIRC and play it back, so you can store your 1/4 or auto-x run, then when your done, hit replay and it will tell you EXACTLY what your car was doing in the last X minutes/seconds... the only downfall i see to the BF series gauges is that they ONLY come in 2 5/8" :(, does anyone else run bigger gauges like that? i'd be curious to see what they look like inside the car...

I am getting the silver BF guages (amber). I will have them in the leadfoot bezel (I'm in on the third group). I will definately have pics.

[daedalus]

you'd better. I allmost spent the extra on the BF Ambers, because i LOVE the way they look, but at the end of the day, it would'nt match the stock lighting that great. It is a STI interior red, not a MSP interior red. I'm just picky, but props to you for going all out on your purchase.

[Vampyre]

hmmm leadfoot if ya get the defi's i will take the sw's off ya hands

[warrier04]

is the egt really a necessity over the a/f ? my car's a daily driver , and (for now) the boost is still stock. i doubt i would be getting a wideband anytime soon.

[Gbourdon]

Autometer Ultra-Lites match well, especially if you have dave B trim rings on your guages. I don't like the lighting on them though. The lighting isnt bright enough either. Can be tough to read at night sometimes.

[Stormtrooper77]

It's too bad the SW's have that gay looking Autometer like needle. Otherwise they'd be perfect.

[II-Savy]

Ok how can a needle look gay?

[Dexter]

Dress it in drag? maybe put some penis stickers on it.

[peepsalot]

Ok how can a needle look gay?

probably shaped like a purple triangle, or possibly rainbow colored, or with tiny pictures of gay buttseks on it.

[II-Savy]

LOL those were great.


One thing though I thought of painting the end silver to match the MSP stock gauges, maybe that would make them less gay. I'm not sure about pulling apart gauges though.

[Dexter]

haha i wish i had my camera. i actually have extra cluster needles in my car and i could make them gay with these really tiny post it notes.

[Brian MP5T]

Sweet boost gauge
http://www.mcnewsautomotive.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/114538.jpg
15psi, full sweep, that needle will be all over the place. I like it.

The oil press look only ok. short sweep, or whatever you call it for the electrical version.
EDIT:
I didn't realize only the numbers light up, that's WAY WAY cool. Much nicer than the autometer lighting.

Dude, I would bury that needle past 15 Psi to the "B" in Boost.... Do they have one that goes higher?

[Brian MP5T]

*cough* defi d-gauge *cough*... just personal pick... I dont like the autometer series, i've had way to many problems with faulty readings, slow reactions on their egt's, etc.

but its up to you. the d-gauge matches stock lighting pretty darn well...



this thread has some good examples...

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74919&page=1&pp=15&highlight=defi+gauges

What's up with the Check Engine??

[II-Savy]

Dude, I would bury that needle past 15 Psi to the "B" in Boost.... Do they have one that goes higher?

Your my hero.

[Brian MP5T]

Your my hero.

(rofl2) I know...

[xfaradx]

I think the new style BLM's are hotness
http://www.blitz-na.com/product%20image/RMeterBLM.jpg

[JDM Sam]

Autometer Nexus or the Defis are the only way to go.

[Dexter]

Oh shit yeah the autometer nexus are very sweet looking.

[daedalus]

too bad the nexus cost more than defi's... i'll stick with defi's.

[spacemonkey]

I think the new style BLM's are hotness
http://www.blitz-na.com/product%20image/RMeterBLM.jpg

I love my BLM and get major compliments...only problem is the JDM sizes (60/62mm?). So they are fucking huge to mount anywhere...so boost gauge will do now.

They look amazing except the white part in my picture showed up white becasue of the flash. It was actually purpplish (black light on white). So I dont really know what the new ones look like but I like the old green ones as well.

[Dexter]

too bad the nexus cost more than defi's... i'll stick with defi's.

do they? fuck that defi > autometer

[JDM Sam]

yup the nexus are up in price close if not more than the DEFI BFs. I might just get one for the nitrous gauge when I run the N20 sprayer. The display is just bad ass.

[jurgs01]

I have the Defi BF boost and Oil pressure along with the control unit II sitting in my garage. I will put them in after I get the leadfoot bezel done. It will be cool to see the blackout guages go through their sequence. I will post pics when it's all done.

[Brian MP5T]

Nexus does look nice. The "Alert" feature is a good idea, everything else is just a toy...

[Captain KRM P5]

i agree the nexus gauges make me wet myself