mech. v's elec gauges, + brands

[Rough60]

Hi all,
I'm going to be buying some gauges soon, are mechanical or electrical better/more accurate? Is Speco an ok brand for just monitoring whats going on or should I fork out more $ for VDO or Autometer?
Cheers.

[HotFourOk]

I think some mechanical gauges may be illegal, Eg - Having an oil or fuel line or boiling hot water running into your dash might not be the best idea if something goes wrong.

If you can buy electrical units do so without a doubt. I think when buying new the prices aren't too much different.
I have Autometer Ultra Lite gauges that work a treat.. I've never used Speco or the likes so cant comment on them.

[CRUSHU]

I prefer VDO to Autometer, especially for Tacho's.

I had a Autometer proper race tach in our race car, and it was 500rpm out, and that was within tolerance according to Autometer!!

500rpm on a 8500rpm engine is a matter of life and death!

The new VDO we run is a lot more accurate.

[andrew e]

I think some mechanical gauges may be illegal, Eg - Having an oil or fuel line or boiling hot water running into your dash might not be the best idea if something goes wrong.

If you can buy electrical units do so without a doubt. I think when buying new the prices aren't too much different.
I have Autometer Ultra Lite gauges that work a treat.. I've never used Speco or the likes so cant comment on them.

temp capillary gauges dont have the fluid running through them, they are filled with gas.

[leehamescort]

I have had problems with the mech temp guages, The don't seem to like the vibrations.

And the Oil line is fairly samll on mech oil guages and subject to kinking, springing a leak etc so have to be careful where you run it.

Have to make sure there is enough length in the tubing/sender wire too as generally mechanical guages cannot be lengthened otherwies callibration is out.

I prefered the mech as they cannot be influenced by bad electrics/voltage etc (typical for an escort) so figured more trustworthy but have reverted back to elec for most now.

My experience on a rally car and 4x4.

Cheers
Leeham.

[shorty_f0rty]

ive got a mech temp guage by autometer and its ok.. its liquid filled so vibrations dont affect the readings..

so far so good..can't comment on accuracy as I haven't had the engine up to temp and a thermometer in there to confirm..

[Chook350]

i have a mechanical temp and oil pressure mounted in the cab, both are speco and had no probs with them at all. like autometer and vdo speco have been around for many moons. if u want to spend the extra cash on a autometer or vdo go rite ahead.
I do no that mechanical fuel pressure gauges have to be mounted out of the cabin. All i did when i ran the oil line was coil a little between the engine and fire wall to cope with tourque twist, through a gromet and then covered with plastic tubing.

[bru21]

i run the speco ones at they are swell for the measley $50 they cost each. on the lotus we used all vdo and they are great too but the white was dearer and on ly had some of them in the catalogue so we went black. i think it was $700 or so for all inc speedo, boost, batt and the usual.

autospeed did a write up a while back and autometer came last in terms of accuracy - about 5psi out

cheers bru

[Hoppy11]

My mate just bought and fitted one of these, very nice
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm? ... zm_487.jpg

they have some cool stuff
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/ ... esults.htm

[Mark2]

Pricol are good gauges for the money. Whatever you get, its better to have a full circle of pointer movement rather than the windscreen wiper type movement if that makes sense - much easier to see changes

[CRUSHU]

Pricol are good gauges for the money. Whatever you get, its better to have a full circle of pointer movement rather than the windscreen wiper type movement if that makes sense - much easier to see changes

Full sweep are typically mechanical guages.

Di Pricol guages seem quite good, we used them on the race car, and were quite happy with them.

[bigcam]

i am running a speco elec. temp in the bundy after thinking something not right, connected a speco mech guage (both same series) the elec reads 100 degs. the mech reads 82-83 and doesnt move when i turn the lights on,

mech all the way for me now!
cam

[Shadow]

I've got mechanical autometer oil pressure and water temp and im happy with them.

There is nothing illegal about having mechanical guages in your car.

The only ADR requirement for mechanical guages is for when they are mounted infront of the windscreen. In this situation they must have something to deflect any fluid leaks away from the screen as oil on a windscreen makes it very hard to see through. especially if water is added.

[CRUSHU]

There is nothing illegal about having mechanical guages in your car.

.

Fuel pressure guages muct have an isolator fitted, if they are inside the car. Basicly, from the isolator back, it is water, or some other safe liquid, not fuel moving the guage.

[Shadow]

There is nothing illegal about having mechanical guages in your car.

.

Fuel pressure guages muct have an isolator fitted, if they are inside the car. Basicly, from the isolator back, it is water, or some other safe liquid, not fuel moving the guage.

Thats one I havent heard of. Is this listed in an ADR?

[CRUSHU]

There is nothing illegal about having mechanical guages in your car.

.

Fuel pressure guages muct have an isolator fitted, if they are inside the car. Basicly, from the isolator back, it is water, or some other safe liquid, not fuel moving the guage.

Thats one I havent heard of. Is this listed in an ADR?

It will be in your Road Worthy book, where it says no fuel plumbing to be in the cabin.