Temp & Oil Press Gauge Install S-54

[DuWop]

Nice work Randy.

I'm guessing that on your M one of the oil lines that attaches to your oil distribution block feeds filtered oil to the supercharger. Are you attaching to your filter housing where the OP switched attached and is this filtered oil.

The Z3 2.8L has one oil line attached to the filter housing which feeds the variable cam timing.:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...42&hg=11&fg=30

This BMP Design oil pressure sending unit adapter ( 12 X 1.5mm banjo bolt) would solve half my problem. I'll need two 1/8 " NPT females. I guess it attaches where the OEM pressure switch attached.
http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/64

BMP calibrates their OP sending unit to match a 150 PSI gauge. Is anyone running oil pressure anywhere near 150 PSI?

I guess the down tube on my oil filter housing cap was not designed to snap off although it snaps on. I pulled hard on it but no luck getting it off. I think it was on the verge of breaking. If I could see how it's made I could go ahead with my plan of installing the OP gauge on top of the housing without worrying about oil bypassing the filter (it won't if I don't drill through the top of the down tube.) and save a lot of bother and expense. It will indicate OP before the filter but that will do for now.

[KeysCoupe]

If you are looking at an oil pressure gauge, then 150 psi is a good range. Generally, you want a gauge that measures roughly double what the operating pressure is, so at normal operating pressure, you are running at the center of the gauge range, ie. about 75 psi.
Off hand, I can't tell you normal operating pressure for M52 or S52 engines, but I would expect around 75 psi warm?
-Donny

[DuWop]

If you are looking at an oil pressure gauge, then 150 psi is a good range. Generally, you want a gauge that measures roughly double what the operating pressure is, so at normal operating pressure, you are running at the center of the gauge range, ie. about 75 psi.
Off hand, I can't tell you normal operating pressure for M52 or S52 engines, but I would expect around 75 psi warm?
-Donny

Thanks for the info.

Looks handy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Meter-2...afb37e&vxp=mtr

[DuWop]

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[BladeRunner919]

How easy is it to see when you're driving?

[DuWop]

How easy is it to see when you're driving?

330.160
http://www.autosparky.com/Shops/Shop...ressure+Switch

- - - Updated - - -

On at ~55 PSI and flashing, ~5 PSI below normal operating pressure.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yellow-Oil-P...item4d07a7ae50

[rdsledge]

Got rid of my clock,that was to dim to see. Installed a V D O volt gauge in its place.I used the wiring from the clock to hook up the volt gauge.Worked great! I now use the clock on the radio dial.I am now installing the A pillar gauges for oil temp. and oil pressure.I am using the Auto Meter gauge pod (20040,I think) and it fits like a glove and looks good.

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

[Randy Forbes]

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How easy is it to see when you're driving?

All he has to do is cut a hole in the hood and mount a prism above it...

[QuestMCoupe]

All he has to do is cut a hole in the hood and mount a prism above it...

Haha I don't understand the point of that gauge.

[DuWop]

All he has to do is cut a hole in the hood and mount a prism above it...

Use your imagination if possible

Flashing the low oil pressure light. Substitute the high oil temp sender (switch) in his circuit, for a 430.160 or330.160CPS set at 5 psi below the normal oil pressure, and include a throttle limit switch or vacuum switch, which ever is easier.
http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/flasher...ing_lights.htm
I could do this with a 555 timer (if I can find my book and time) and control the flash rate with capacitors.

A flashing light-bulb will burn out fast so it wold be best to bypass the flash circuit with a resistor that would lower the light intensity to around 50% which would result in bright, dim, bright, dim........

Add another flash circuit to the low oil pressure light for high cylinder head temperature, or choose a different existing warning light, or some lights on the dash would do. I considered using the small light under the light switch but the circuit would be slightly more work and parts. There are many ways to do this but I don't want to drill holes in my baby to install LEDs.

I could have my 3 y/o granddaughter watch the oil pressure gauge. We could use a string and tin cans for her to call out the oil pressure every ten seconds. I think she will fit under the hood.

Likely I will find an easier way to do this so I don't have to build circuits. A solid-state turn signal flasher would likely do the job but the flash rate would likely be to slow. http://www.allbatterysalesandservice...fm/4,7740.html


http://www.autosparky.com/Shops/Shop...ressure+Switch
430.160
Plastic Case Heavy Duty Adjustable Oil Pressure Switch.
• Normally closed / normally open contacts.
• Dual circuit.
• Contacts close at falling or rising pressure.
• Switch is preset @ 60 PSI, but adjustable between 51 - 90 PSI.
• 3 Screw terminals.
• Application: Universal oil pressure switch to operate a warning light on dash when pressure rises or falls.
• Thread: 1/8"-27NPTF.
• Contact rating: 5watt.

Price : $ 70.79 (a bit expensive but likely good quality)

[Randy Forbes]

Kyoa.

[DuWop]

I don't trust the JB Weld. I ordered this aluminum oil filter housing lid from BMP design :

http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/64

[jonomo]

Anyone try this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121230731078...84.m1438.l2649

[say mmmm]

I had Jeff and Kelly custom manufacture a gauge pod for me including modifying innovate gauges to match VDO gauges, bezels and all! I don't have access to a picture right now but here's a link or two…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7612666845763/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7619422329901/

[E.Hands]

GAME OVER

[CMM3]

I had Jeff and Kelly custom manufacture a gauge pod for me including modifying innovate gauges to match VDO gauges, bezels and all! I don't have access to a picture right now but here's a link or two…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7612666845763/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7619422329901/

Very impressive and eloquent solution.
Just curious where you able to make this modification without removing the dash??

[say mmmm]

Yes and may I add that the gauges are... Boost, oil pressure & A/F ratio, not the clock!

[E.Hands]

Very nice! Would there be any chance of having more of these gray faced gauges produced?
I for one would be all over it. I'd want to replace my clock & outside temp gauges with proper gray faced Boost, oil pressure & A/F ratio.
Please let me know if we can pull this off?

[say mmmm]

Very nice! Would there be any chance of having more of these gray faced gauges produced?
I for one would be all over it. I'd want to replace my clock & outside temp gauges with proper gray faced Boost, oil pressure & A/F ratio.
Please let me know if we can pull this off?

Try rocknroad, although IIRC he said he would never take that on again!

[Randy Forbes]

Very nice! Would there be any chance of having more of these gray faced gauges produced?
I for one would be all over it. I'd want to replace my clock & outside temp gauges with proper gray faced Boost, oil pressure & A/F ratio.
Please let me know if we can pull this off?

Boost? I don't remember any boost...?

I do have one of Jeff's dashtop gauge pods though, had planned to use it on my black car, but doubt I can ever bring myself to cutting my own dashboard (didn't mind doing Zoran's, way back when... ).

Yes Dan, install from the top without removing dashboard. I have some pictures of it somewhere, but can't find the folder they're in (haven't looked in my twinscrew install yet...).

[say mmmm]

Here's a link..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocknro...7612666845763/

[crashgordan]

I don't trust the JB Weld. I ordered this aluminum oil filter housing lid from BMP design :

http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/64

i know, old thread. i'm learning a ton on this forum.

at any rate, i seem to worry too much about my actual oil pressure/temp and engine temp. i'd like this car to last a very long time.

anyway... i like the BMP design filter lid... but assume you have to unscrew your stuff before you remove it with each oil change (not a big deal i know)

I have the S52, and as i understand it, this would screw into the rear of the filter housing and i could then add at least one from here... no??

http://rallyroad.net/content/oil-feed-adapter-block

i'd like to find an iphone app that keeps up with all this in the Z3M but after days of reading, i'm just confused.

[CMM3]

I don't trust the JB Weld. I ordered this aluminum oil filter housing lid from BMP design :

http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/64

Just to clarify...I originally built up the Thermostat housing with JB Weld just to get more material to tap and mount the WATER TEMP sender.
But after it cracked I removed the JB and found that with teflon tape the sender seals fine into the threads I tapped into the housing.

The housing is expensive at $150 bmw part 11537831103

But I had the tap and drill so it cost me nothing to try it.

VAC does sell an adapter a more elegant solution which cost around $80, but I tried installing it 3 times and it kept leaking.
I'm sure with more patience I could have gotten it to work but it is a real PITA so I ended up sending it back.
http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...old-p1768.aspx

[crashgordan]

It's been a year... How's everthing holding up??
Any new better solutions out there?

[rustnrot]

I don't trust the JB Weld. I ordered this aluminum oil filter housing lid from BMP design :

http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/64

How has this worked out also? The aluminum replacement cited above does not have the plastic cage that, when the oil filter is installed, lines the inside of it to help prevent an imploding filter. Has this been an issue?