Mechanical or electric oil pressure gauge?

[scotty]

Hey,

Nothing new that the stock oil pressuge gauge is very unreliable, so want to upgrade it. But should I go for a mechanical or electric gauge? What are the pros and cons?

Scott

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Electric. Its easier to wire up a gauge then run a tube, and you dont have to worry about leaks.

 

[scotty]

How reliable is a electric gauge? Definitely see the problem with getting leaks from a mechanical gauge.. but then that would be 100% reliable.. no problem running a tube really.

 

[CyFi6]

I would trust a mechanical gauges accuracy over electric any day. If you dont mind running a tube, go mechanical in my opinion.

 

[Poodles]

Hey,

Nothing new that the stock oil pressuge gauge is very unreliable, so want to upgrade it. But should I go for a mechanical or electric gauge? What are the pros and cons?

Scott

Unreliable would be an incorrect term, the only bad thing to the stock gauge is that it's SLOW. It's reliable as it always works unless the wiring is botched, and it's actually quite accurate for being 20 years old (and easily tested and fixed)

I would trust a mechanical gauges accuracy over electric any day. If you dont mind running a tube, go mechanical in my opinion.

Mechanicals aren't any more accurate than electrical. In fact, they usually respond quicker, especially the digital ones.

 

[scotty]

Don't doubt that the gauge it self is ok, but using the stock gauge setup I find is unreliable. I've done my engine swap now, and on the stock gauge it went up to 8kg, then went gradually down as the engine was running. Connected up a mechanical gauge and got a perfect reading, after I disconnected this I'm now getting no reading at all on the stock gauge.

Still very unsure if I should go with electric or mechanical..

 

[92nsx]

It is never a safe idea to have fluids going into the cock pit. Just buy a quality built gauge. Electric or mechanical there only good/accurate as they were built.

Even right now my mechanical fuel pressure gauge on my AFPR is off by 10 psi, then my electrical one.

 

[scotty]

Think I'm going electric.. due to the risk with having oil under pressure flowing into the cockpit.

One last question.. how do you connect up a aftermarket oil presure gauge? What does it connect to?

 

[mkiiichip]

if youi buy new it will come with instructions. they are all different.

usually you will need these electrical connections

12v constant
12v switched with ignition
ground

Then just install sender, mount gauge, run wires.

Where are you going to put it?

 

[Spoolin]

I had a mechanical oil press gauge in my 240sx, the line popped off the fitting and all my oil leaked out during an event once and I spun a rod bearing. (I wasn't looking at teh gauge.)

But I'd rather install a sensor with an electronic gauge than run a cheap plastic tube into my cabin.

 

[WhtMa71]

If you want to install an aftermarket electric gauge and keep the stock one working as well, you'll need this adapter. http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?Subgroup=BSP_OTOD

 

[Sawbladz]

I had a mechanical oil press gauge in my 240sx, the line popped off the fitting and all my oil leaked out during an event once and I spun a rod bearing. (I wasn't looking at teh gauge.)

But I'd rather install a sensor with an electronic gauge than run a cheap plastic tube into my cabin.

Instead of a cheap plastic tube you can opt to run a copper tube. If you have to run a mechanical its the way to go.

 

[scotty]

Thanks for replies. The gauge is going in the dash console..

What do most people do with the stock gauge if fitted a aftermarket one? Use the adapter to keep the stock one working?

Also.. is the stock sender 1/8" NPT?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[figgie]

1/8 bspt

 

[92nsx]

IIRC that would be BSTP witch is different the npt. bstp = 28 threads per inch & npt = 27 threads per inch

 

[scotty]

I really do feel dumb now.. pretty much all aftermarket gauges are 1/8" or 1/4" NPT? How does that work out then? Where is the sender placed?

 

[dbsupra90]

it's hard to find an aftermarket gauge that is graduated well enough for my liking. except cold idle i never see over 40psi. a lot of the gauges 40psi is like 1/3 of the gauge. 2/3 of it you would never use.

also, when i had an electrical i had a tough time with the sender unit heat soaking. i'd shield it from heat (like stock) or remote mount it. and usually most gauges are 1/4 npt.

 

[scotty]

I'm easily reaching 50psi on higher revs.

Still wondering about this..

I really do feel dumb now.. pretty much all aftermarket gauges are 1/8" or 1/4" NPT? How does that work out then? Where is the sender placed?(is it the plug right by the oil filter?)

 

[hornet7288]

electrical

 

[TurboStreetCar]

I'm easily reaching 50psi on higher revs.

Still wondering about this..

The stock oil pressure sender is directly below the thermostat housing. The stock sender is about 2 inches in diameter and has a single wire connection. The thread is 1/8 Bspt as mentioned. An adapter such as this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2269/ Is needed for most sensors that are 1/8th NPT such as Prosport gauges. That is the adapter im using in my car for my Prosport gauge.

I see 40psi at 2500rpm. My gauge easily reaches 60psi hot whenever RPM's are up. 80-110peg on cold start. Never really looked when im up around 6000 as im usually looking threw the windshield.