Gauges which ones to get?

So I'm trying to figure out what gauges to get for the RX7. I want to limit the number of gauges in the car because:

1, They attract thieves 2, They are expensive

So I know I have to get boost and a A/F. I'm wondering what else is extremely necessary for the whore.

Maybe a one does all deal. You could fab up a quick dissconnect and take it with you like a radio faceplate.

VDO vision. All other gauges look cheap (autometer especially) and are often more expensive. The VDO gauges also look pretty factory, so may not attract the attention that others might.

My votes for best looking automotive gauges of all time vary between smiths and vdo vision. I'd be interested to hear others' views on this. I've actually spent some time studying this subject....

Unless you have some way to tune your fuel mixture you don't need a gauge readout for it. Especially if you plan on getting one of those goofy LED round ones that just taps into the stock O2 sensor wiring and flashes between "rich" and "lean" with no scale, you aren't getting any accurate or useful information there.

+1 for skruffy's post. My turbo FC has a pair of crappy AutoMeters (boost and narrowband AFR). Unless I can score an all-in-one unit for a decent price, I will be replacing them with Stri boost and water temperature gauges. Assuming you have an FC, the water temp gauge is vital. The stock S4 gauge is linear, but a bit slow, while the S5 gauge has three positions: cold, normal, and "your engine asplode."

I have a Stri electronic boost gauge in my Mazdaspeed3. I like it quite a bit. It's an off-brand of Defi but it's not cheap-feeling at all- on the contrary, it's very nicely made. It has a programmable warning LED and peak-and-hold function. It's easy to read too. The only issues I have is that the electric motor sound is noticeable and that I had to sand out the vent pod to fit the gauge (which may be an issue with the pod instead of the gauge).

As for stealth, I have it mounted in a vent pod that replaces the driver's side dash vent. The lens is convex and smoked so it almost looks like a stock installation (I'll try to get a crappy cell phone picture and post it here). YMMV with the RX-7. Some mounting options I've seen on an FC include making a plate to replace the map pocket or vents in the center console. I've also seen the A/C controls or radio moved further down and the gauge plate moved in its place, so the gauges are higher-up on the center console. You could also try getting a spare idiot light cluster, gutting it, and modifying it to accept gauges.

In addition to the boost and AFR, I'd go with water temp, oil temp and oil pressure. Remember, rotaries reject a LOT of their heat through the oil cooler, helps to know just how hot it's getting.

And I like VDO Visions too. I have them in the Jensenator. Easy to read at a glance and understated.

Proudly hotlinked:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: VDO vision. All other gauges look cheap (autometer especially) and are often more expensive. The VDO gauges also look pretty factory, so may not attract the attention that others might. My votes for best looking automotive gauges of all time vary between smiths and vdo vision. I'd be interested to hear others' views on this. I've actually spent some time studying this subject....

VDO matches the fd well too.

I like and prefer the VDOs too. Vision or Cockpit look great in almost any car.

Isspro gauges are well regarded in the diesel truck community, though they're spendy

what I find funny.. IMHO VDO look better and work better than Autometer.. and are cheaper

haha thanks guys.

I was thinking more like prioritizing:

Water temp vs. Oil Temp vs. Oil Pressure

I think Boost and WB O2 Sensor are a must I think.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks guys.

Water temp and oil pressure are a must.

Boost is a must.

Unless your car is much more than stock, wideband isn't REALLY necessary.

Oil temp.... eh. I run one, but i haven't really found a great use for it thus far.

Water Temp and Oil Pressure guages are a necessity. Everything else is just eye candy. Two decent guages - about $100. One blown engine - much more than that. Also no sense in buying el cheapo, crappy gauges that aren't accurate and/or stick.

Ampmeter and/or voltmeter.

I had a voltmeter in my saab race car and it helped when I chucked the alt belt half way through a race.

Water temp and oil psi are a must like some other have stated.

About a voltmeter: sure it will show you when a belt has come off etc. but you have to be watching all the gauges and sometimes there just is too much else going on. Not wanting to take a chance, I borrowed an idea from a Corvair guy: I use a trailer clearance light for a charge indicator light. No way can that thing be overlooked. I will probably wire up one to the oil pressure as well.

If you're looking for an all-in-one unit for cheap, I found this on MotoIQ. I am seriously considering for my turbo FC:

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1691/pageid/2314/project-evo-ix-part-5-ark-designs-and-mitsubishi-products.aspx

http://www.arkdesign-us.com/online-store/details/22/8/electronics/mfd-multi-function-display

There's so much stuff to look after on a rotary that some sort of all-in-one is better than adding more gauges than an airplane cockpit. I'd prefer one of those digital gauges that fit in front of the IC like on a race car but they are expensive and conspicuous. The Ark Design unit looks like it could be easier to hide. It might even be portable.

I've had my eye on the Ark Design MFD. Might be worth looking into in your case.

The ark unit is a pretty penny 375 and another 210 for 2 sensors. It looks cool tho.

I was thinking getting some used greddy gauges from upgarage in japan when I visit next month.

RexSeven wrote: If you're looking for an all-in-one unit for cheap, I found this on MotoIQ. I am seriously considering for my turbo FC: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1691/pageid/2314/project-evo-ix-part-5-ark-designs-and-mitsubishi-products.aspx http://www.arkdesign-us.com/online-store/details/22/8/electronics/mfd-multi-function-display There's so much stuff to look after on a rotary that some sort of all-in-one is better than adding more gauges than an airplane cockpit. I'd prefer one of those digital gauges that fit in front of the IC like on a race car but they are expensive and conspicuous. The Ark Design unit looks like it could be easier to hide. It might even be portable.

If you're looking at that, the DefiLink setup is similar, and can be found used for somewhat cheap.

Nis14 wrote: The ark unit is a pretty penny 375 and another 210 for 2 sensors. It looks cool tho. I was thinking getting some used greddy gauges from upgarage in japan when I visit next month.

I want used greddy gauges from upgarage.

When I had my RX (an 86 FC) the only gauge I installed was a water temp. I installed a mechanical gauge with the sensor tapped in to the goose neck above the thermostat. There is a boss there so it is a simple operation to drill and tap. I also liked that I was seeing the temp of the water as soon as it come out of the motor. I was also thinking of putting one in the return line from the rad but never got to it. That way i could see the temp on either side of the rad. I used an old mechanical VDO unit and mounted it to the steering column like the one of the FD above. It probably saved my motor 2-3X. The stock gauge was reading normal while the one I added was saying shut it down.

Gratuitous Photo of my old car. Man I miss that car!!! Hot linked form my site:

Water temp and oil temp are the only gauges i ever look at in my rx7 race car. everything else is useless.

After having no less than two boost controllers malfunction on me, i keep a keen eye on the boost gauge when booting the car hard.

Had VDO Vision on my WRX. Other than a HUGE O2 sensor bung for the EGT, everything was better than I'd hoped for for the price. Very subtle, large numbers, easy to read, etc.

All that said, my next gauges will have a peak recall and some sort of lighted warning system. Otherwise, I only look at my gauges on straights and could miss something.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

Dammit I think you're right.

I might just spring for the ARK unit.....