gauge hook up in engine bay

[peapodf50]

I just bought water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure gauges and now I need to know where to hook them up. I found from TRM a in hose water temp. Just want to know where and what produce to use.

Thanks

[SiGmA]

Water temp - Use an adapter to thread into the TB heater hose fitting on the cylinder head.
Oil temp - Use the oil drain, or tap the pan. I had a piece of aluminum welded to the pan as per Don's instructions to give a bit more reinforcement.
Oil pressure - TRM distribution block. I was initially using the disto block for turbo oil feed, but I have since tapped the oil filter housing itself for my turbo feed line fitting.

[peapodf50]

where do you get the adaptors? Also does anyone have a picture of this on there car?

Thanks again

[SiGmA]

I don't see how pictures will help you, my description was reasonably clear. I made the adapters myself, I took a M12x1.5 bolt and drilled/tapped it to 1/8NPT. Took about 5min and was free. Oh, also, I cut the bolt to a more proper length of ~16mm.

[peapodf50]

I know you made since to me, just thought that it might make me more confident in what I need to do.

[SiGmA]

Turns out I have a pic of the side of the motor. None of the oil pan plate/tap, but if your pan isn't off, just use the drain fitting.

Oil pressure in disto block, and coolant temp sensor on head (closest to rear of head):
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mqMVDO-PUfY/SjmWeHA1SGI/AAAAAAAAC30/YxuzuycbHNI/s800/img_0087.jpg

[peapodf50]

Hey thank for finding that. That just helped me alot with confidence. 1st build make me ask a lot of questions. I really am learning a lot from doing my own build and also reading everyone elses too.

Michael

[GT35Rm3]

Good luck man. I know how you feel. Im more of a visual learner as well.

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

not to steal your thread op.... but what brands of gauges does everyone recommend.


BTW, op what did you buy??

[SiGmA]

Michael - Feel free to ask questions sir, the forum is here to help.

Ethon - Defi is the win. Prosports are hit and miss. Their Premium gauges work a lot better than the Basic's. My Prosport temp's are good, but the oil pressure gauge doesn't sit at zero with the motor off, not even before I had ever cranked the motor over. My Prosport boost gauge does sit at zero, and vacuum and boost are a bit off too. The Premium boost gauge (I borrowed my friends for 4k or so) did sit at zero and vacuum was matched to that of my SnapOn gauge and datalogger. So, YMMV. Oh, they do match the interior amazingly tho.

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

Michael - Feel free to ask questions sir, the forum is here to help.

Ethon - Defi is the win. Prosports are hit and miss. Their Premium gauges work a lot better than the Basic's. My Prosport temp's are good, but the oil pressure gauge doesn't sit at zero with the motor off, not even before I had ever cranked the motor over. My Prosport boost gauge does sit at zero, and vacuum and boost are a bit off too. The Premium boost gauge (I borrowed my friends for 4k or so) did sit at zero and vacuum was matched to that of my SnapOn gauge and datalogger. So, YMMV. Oh, they do match the interior amazingly tho.

Thanks roman!
defi seem awesome but just a little pricey, and I am kind of scared with prosports. they seem to have a lot of problems... but good customer service.

[SiGmA]

Defi's are amazing, but the price is more than I am willing to spend on a damn gauge. My friends Premium Prosport boost gauge works perfect, I think the quality of sensor is a bit different. His oil pressure gauge seems to be better too, it sits at zero with the motor off.

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

Defi's are amazing, but the price is more than I am willing to spend on a damn gauge. My friends Premium Prosport boost gauge works perfect, I think the quality of sensor is a bit different. His oil pressure gauge seems to be better too, it sits at zero with the motor off.

I totally agree about the price part too, but I guess we all want our gauges to be very accurate. I have been looking at "stri" gauges...

[ltw97m3]

i did a quick scan and if i missed it i apoligize but i would recommend a remote mounting of the oil pressure sensor, to help isolate it from vibration which will aid in the life expectancy.
heres the setup im gonna run.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RUS-670510/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-991001ERL/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220646B/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220701-B/

[LukeG]

I totally agree about the price part too, but I guess we all want our gauges to be very accurate. I have been looking at "stri" gauges...


I love mine!

[techno550]

I don't see how pictures will help you, my description was reasonably clear. I made the adapters myself, I took a M12x1.5 bolt and drilled/tapped it to 1/8NPT. Took about 5min and was free. Oh, also, I cut the bolt to a more proper length of ~16mm.

You need to be careful tapping a M12 bolt. First problem is that the bolt may not have a nice flat back face to seal against the ring on the head. The second problem is you need to be dead square in the middle of the bolt as a fitting for 1/8 NPT is very very tight on that. You also run into potential strength issues and snapping that off in the head will of course only happen after you have the engine in the car and the intake manifold on. ;)

TRM sells a M12 to 1/8 NPT adapter (http://www.racersmarket.net/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=11&category_id=31&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=93) specifically for this. Stainless Steel and very pretty. :)

The fitting for the upper radiator hose works well too. Head temp is my preferred though if you have the port available.

[SiGmA]

Interesting point Mike, I could see that happening, and it would be damn awkward, but should be easy to easyout. I have used the 1/8 to M12 adapters twice, the first we made on a 3 axis mill, the second I made on a drillpress with a vise base plate. That second one has over 6k on it, no issues. My head port is actually tapped M14, as the sensor I originally was going to run was M14, so I enlarged the hole. I also have had no issues with any of the bolts I have installed crush washers on leaking, but it depends on the seat surface flatness.

OP, TRM's fitting appears to be a reasonably good deal and would save you some peace of mind, if you can't find the center of the bolt yourself. I have to say that their oil pressure adapter is win however, and when I bought mine it was pretty cheap too.

[peapodf50]

I bought prosport premium gauge for the boost and their standard gauges for the oil temp, oil pressure, and water temp. It is nice to get more say in what works and doesn't work for mounting of sensors.

[IcemanChris]

Any clearance issues with the oil pressure sender using the TRM distro block?

[SiGmA]

I bought prosport premium gauge for the boost and their standard gauges for the oil temp, oil pressure, and water temp. It is nice to get more say in what works and doesn't work for mounting of sensors.Good call on the premium boost gauge, I wish I had bought it initially. I don't think you'll have any issues with the basic Prosports for the rest of the gauges. Your oil pressure may not rest at zero, but you can calculate the difference (~2psi?) and its not a big deal.
Any clearance issues with the oil pressure sender using the TRM distro block?I had no issues with my OBD1 manifold. The block harness bracket still fits, etc.

[bmxrider945]

i was thinking about where to mount my gauges in the engine bay and have come to this conclusion:

Water Temp: Use TRM Water Sender Adapter and mount it on the radiator hose the sits between the thermostat housing the radiator
Oil Temp and Oil Pressure: You could buy a UUC Oil Center Cap that has two 1/8" NPT ports and mount your senders there. Or you could buy a oil distribution block from TRM and Tee off the oil pressure switch under the intake manifold.

Hope this helps.

[SiGmA]

i was thinking about where to mount my gauges in the engine bay and have come to this conclusion:

Water Temp: Use TRM Water Sender Adapter and mount it on the radiator hose the sits between the thermostat housing the radiator
Oil Temp and Oil Pressure: You could buy a UUC Oil Center Cap that has two 1/8" NPT ports and mount your senders there. Or you could buy a oil distribution block from TRM and Tee off the oil pressure switch under the intake manifold.

Hope this helps.Your methods will work reasonably well. Personally, I don't like the hose adapter, its really ugly. It works fine, but its ugly. The in-head fitting is much nicer IMO, you won't see the sensor. Also, you do not want to put the oil temp sensor in the filter or housing, you want to put them in the pan for a more accurate reading.

[LukeG]

yeah I have my oil temp in the housing and it reads cooler I believe.

[peapodf50]

Good call on the premium boost gauge, I wish I had bought it initially. I don't think you'll have any issues with the basic Prosports for the rest of the gauges. Your oil pressure may not rest at zero, but you can calculate the difference (~2psi?) and its not a big deal.I had no issues with my OBD1 manifold. The block harness bracket still fits, etc.


I figured the premium on the boost gauge would be a good idea. I thought that the other gauges are important, but a few degrees/psi isn't going to destroy my engine as much as over boosting will.

Will the TRM in head adaptor work with an S52? I didn't think it would. I suppose I could call them.

What does everyone have for a wideband? I want to see what other people have before I decide.

[LukeG]

i have a plx devices wideband

[SiGmA]

LC1 w/ XD16 gauge. Its decent. I've RMA'd it 3 times in 4 years, all during my turbo build, with less than 10k put on the combined devices. I also have gone through 3-4 sensors. They read fine for a few thousand miles and then randomly throw a code. One did this when my car was stock.