Aftermarket Electric Gauge Questions

[SuspiciousPizza]

I'd like to install some electronic aftermarket gauges on my dash to display more data and keep tabs on the health on my EA82. Electric gauges since I wouldn't have to run fluid lines into the cabin. Though I prefer the simplicity and cost of mechanical gauges.

The gauges I'd like to install are oil pressure, coolant temp, fuel pressure, and coolant pressure.

The reason for the coolant pressure is that I'd, in theory, be able to see if my coolant pressure is spiking/ rising and thus detect head gasket leaks into the cooling system. Also monitor the water pump performance.

For my coolant temp, I'd thought of installing a T-fitting to where the stock coolant temp sensor sits, allowing me to keep the stock one and add on the additional sensor. Will this affect my temp readings? Would this cause turbulence in the cooling system? Would air cooling the fitting throw off my readings? Would my readings be affected by the sensor being repositioned in relation to coolant flow? 

I've never messed with aftermarket electric gauges before and I'm open to thoughts and opinions before I go and spend the money on the gauges and sensors.

Thanks :]

[el_freddo]

I Tee’d my mechanical coolant temp gauge into the heater hose on the outlet from engine hose. Works a treat. Personally I wouldn’t like to Tee into the factory location, moving both sensors away from the direct flow of the coolant wouldn’t be an accurate reading. 

I’ve not seen a coolant pressure sensor as a standalone aftermarket gauge, but I’m not looking for one either. 

Many ppl feel comfortable with electric sensors and gauges over the older mechanical equivalents. I’d buy from a reputable brand that you can get some after sale service with if it’s ever needed. 

Cheers 

Bennie

[SuspiciousPizza]

3 hours ago, el_freddo said:

I’ve not seen a coolant pressure sensor as a standalone aftermarket gauge,

ISSPRO has them. I'd go all ISSPRO since they're good quality and come with sensors and harnesses. But they cost a pretty penny, thus this discussion before I spend that chunk of change.

Plus you can program in custom warning lights and change the backlight colors. 

:]

[azdave]

I'll agree that extra data is fun to work with but constantly monitoring your fuel and coolant pressure in an EA82?  I have the ultra basic (no tach) factory instrument package in my 87 DL 5-speed. The coolant temp gauge and the oil pressure idiot light are enough for me and got this wagon to 255K miles so far. Sometimes less is best for simplicity sake. 

[SuspiciousPizza]

I wouldn't mind the stock gauges, but they are so vague. My GL has the fancy gauge cluster with voltage, oil pressure, and temp. But I'd like actual values rather than relying on a 35 y/o gauge without values. 

I actually don't know if my oil pressure gauge works. The P/O had a mechanical gauge installed where the dash clock was and this leaked oil all over the dash wiring harness and he cut into the defrost vent to get the gauge to fit. That really didn't help on a Wisconsin winter morning. 

I just like numbers for monitoring and diagnostic.

:]

If I had to choose one gauge to not get, it'd be the fuel pressure. 

[azdave]

I own multiple classics and rarely install extra gauges in any of them. I'll confirm the OEM gauges are operating normally and leave it at that. The KISS principle makes life much easier for me. I don't need to know the exact numbers, only that I'm in a normal range.

Engine temperature is all I really monitor closely since I drive my wagon through the Phoenix summers with A/C always cranked to the max. I know from using an infrared gun that 3/4 needle sweep is normal in the summer and about 206F measured at the thermostat housing. In winter, the needle reads about half way and equates to around 190F.

For oil pressure, I installed a temporary T with a mechanical gauge at the filter and after a good hot freeway trip with the engine at idle, I still have good pressure. When you have good oil pressure at hot idle, you will always have good oil pressure at any other engine temperature or RPM. Since I have an idiot light for oil pressure, I make sure the bulb is working as I start it each day. If I let the clutch out a little fast and almost kill the engine, I'll see the oil light flicker when the RPM's drop below spec. That's another confirmation that the oil pressure switch is working fine.

For fuel pressure, I only check that if I install a new pump. Again, I have installed a temporary port under the hood and confirmed pressure is in spec. After that, I remove the gauge and forget about it.