Recommendation for good quality gauges with peak recall?

I need to add a couple of accurate temperature gauges to the Miata (oil temp and water temp) to check how hot it's running during track use - basically, to determine if I need to put an uprated radiator and/or an oil cooler on the car.

As staring at the gauges while hurtling down the track is a little frowned upon, I want gauges with peak recall functionality. They also have to be 52mm.

One obvious option outside the expensive Japanese brands are Prosport gauges. Anybody got any other suggestions?

Dakota Digital. Sioux Falls S.D. may be they have something that would work. www.dakotadigital.com We run AutoMeter gauges in the sprint cars and they take a good pounding and still work season after season.

I have a Stri electric boost gauge with peak hold/recall and warning functions from my Mazdaspeed3. Now that the MS3 is gone it might find its way into my RX-7. I think is made in Taiwan, but I was very impressed with the quality, as were some JDM-y0 boiz rocking the absurdly expensive Defi gauges. A BMW forum tested the mechanical version and found it to be very accurate.

Unfortunately, Stri went up in price when the best kept secret in gauges got out. I got mine for $130 three years ago- not cheap, but not bad for what it is. Now they are $170-$180.

Autometer Elite has peak recall & more. The whole gauge face changes color in warning & strobes in alarm. They are not cheap either.

I have oil pressure, water & oil temp in an aftermarket 3 gauge pod on the dash pad. Easily picked up in peripheral vision on track.

If you just want peak measurements get some temperature indicating labels. $25.00 will give you enough for a years worth of track days.

Temp Labels

If these readings are available via OBD2 on the Miata then you might want to try one of those BT-OBD dongles and a smartphone app to log them.

Prosport is probably the cheapest option. I've used them, and they work well.

That said, i'm not 100% impressed with their long-term durability. They seem to last the length of the warranty period, then start to flake out.

GameboyRMH wrote: If these readings are available via OBD2 on the Miata then you might want to try one of those BT-OBD dongles and a smartphone app to log them.

Mine's a '95 so it's ODB-1. Otherwise that would be a really good idea.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Prosport is probably the cheapest option. I've used them, and they work well. That said, i'm not 100% impressed with their long-term durability. They seem to last the length of the warranty period, then start to flake out.

I've had one before for the DSM. They seem OK, but given your comment re their durability I might want to spend a little more money on something that I will have to buy (hopefully) only once.

BoxheadTim wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Prosport is probably the cheapest option. I've used them, and they work well. That said, i'm not 100% impressed with their long-term durability. They seem to last the length of the warranty period, then start to flake out.

I've had one before for the DSM. They seem OK, but given your comment re their durability I might want to spend a little more money on something that I will have to buy (hopefully) only once.

Mine seem to be holding on ok... but i also got mechanical where possible, and they aren't Peak/Hold.

Every electrical peak/hold boost gauge i've seen in person has been flakey as hell after a year or two.

I'd suggest spending more money, or just trolling Ebay for some quality used stuff.

GReddy and A'PEXi both have peak recall/warning/playback gauges. They are awesome!

Try Spek gauges

http://www.propartsllc.com/spekGaugeController.php

Do you have a Go Pro or other camera system? If so, maybe record the gauges? Reviewing it might take a while.

Or run some regular gauges and a data logger?

Also it looks like Innovate might have replaced the LMA-3 with the DL-32 data logger/sensor controller DL-32

I haven't seen it in person yet. Maybe Matt has some info on it.

An all-in-one multi-function display might cost more up front, but it can potentially cut down on gauge clutter. I've been eyeing this one for my FC since I saw it on MotoIQ.

http://www.arkdesign-us.com/my-account/details/4/1/electronics/mfd-multi-function-dash

I also like this thing...

http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/LCD/LCD.shtml

No GoPro or similar yet (although one is one the shopping list). I do like the Ark Design multi function display but TBH I'm not quite sure how to fit that into a Miata in an unobtrusive manner.

So far it looks like trolling the bay might yield the best results.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

It is cool, however I do prefer analog gauges as I find those easier to check with a glance rather than having to "read" them.