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Using stock senders with aftermarket gages

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Old 01-17-2008, 01:36 AM
  #16  
IcemanG17
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You could always get a computer setup like Louie Ott....where all major data is sent to the big old computer screen wherever you choose to place it!!
Old 01-17-2008, 05:07 AM
  #17  
drnick
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mike, my dash grew from the need to replace or otherwise re-feed the speedo once i had put a GTS 5 spd box in the car. then i saw the racetech tacho and it all went from there. ive put the fuel and battey gauges down in the centre console, i dont have individual warning lights anymore but the uppermost red light is for the master caution - i figure that if its flashing i need to investigate i think if you use a vdo gauge for fuel it should work, the tacho needs to be configured to a 4 cylinder signal. the mechanicals look nice but the whole lot does add weight - there are some nice electrical alternatives out there with everything in one smaller package.

the only disadvantages with those eg stack or spa is the tacho normally reads to 8000 - which is a waste of gauge area and also they may not display numbers in large enough format for the other functions - although they do have programable alarms to make them more visible.
Old 01-17-2008, 11:06 AM
  #18  
Flott Leben
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In thirty years of using mechanical gauges, both in my drag cars and in my Eighteen wheelers, I've never had a line/gauge break causing fluids to enter the driver's area.
Are you then saying it can't and will never happen?

I believe Jim was just giving advice to maximize the safety factor. After all, who knows what may break and how it may break given a high speed collision?
Old 01-17-2008, 12:31 PM
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largecar379
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Originally Posted by Flott Leben
Are you then saying it can't and will never happen?

I believe Jim was just giving advice to maximize the safety factor. After all, who knows what may break and how it may break given a high speed collision?
didn't say that-----

didn't infer that bad things can't happen, either.

I only relayed my past experience, which says that the failure rate (of electrical sending units versus mechanical gauges) was much higher, and accuracy was much more reliable with mechanicals. your experience may differ.

I did say that fuel pressure gauges were NOT used in the drivers area. I will say that oil pressure gauge lines would be/have been stainless steel braided for added safety, and I am not aware of any sanctioning body limiting their use. If you are aware of such, please say so. Don't just throw a "what if?" out there......

other than that, tach/temp/boost gauges don't spill fluids in a crash situation......

If you're really worried, stay off the track...or the street, for that matter.
Old 01-17-2008, 01:41 PM
  #20  
drnick
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convert the 928 to a diesel, its a less volatile fuel and will be safer in a crash or rollover..
Old 01-17-2008, 03:25 PM
  #21  
Flott Leben
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didn't say that-----

didn't infer that bad things can't happen, either.
I didn't accuse you of saying/implying either of those. I was just asking for your opinion.

In any case, if the likelihood of a bad event can be reduced by some simple engineering choices, then I think that is the way to go.

I only relayed my past experience, which says that the failure rate (of electrical sending units versus mechanical gauges) was much higher, and accuracy was much more reliable with mechanicals. your experience may differ.
With all due respect, I was speaking about safety issues not reliability or accuracy. But to your point: I would need to rely on some more data or evidence other than a few personal experiences before I would make that determination.

I did say that fuel pressure gauges were NOT used in the drivers area.
I know you said that - after I made my comment. Now, ask yourself, why do you think that is so? Granted, fuel is a more flammable than oil but that oil will be very hot, under pressure, sticky, thick and dark, and it will very much like to burn . . .

I will say that oil pressure gauge lines would be/have been stainless steel braided for added safety, and I am not aware of any sanctioning body limiting their use. If you are aware of such, please say so. Don't just throw a "what if?" out there......
If you wish to place your trust in whatever "sanctioning" bodies you are referring to, go right ahead. But there are reasons why mechanical oil pressure gauges are not present on our Porsches (or most other modern production cars). I am relying on Jim's advice and some common sense. Hey, if you want to snake an extra oil line around your engine and have it carry flammable engine oil at 200+ degrees and under 60+ psi of presure and have it terminate at a gauge pointing directly at your face - be my guest. I'm just raising some safety issues to those reading this board.

If you're really worried, stay off the track...or the street, for that matter
Luckily, I won't have to take your advice because Porsche (and almost all other modern car producers) have thought this through already - and they have built their cars with electronic oil pressure gauges.
Old 01-17-2008, 09:48 PM
  #22  
Brett928S2
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Originally Posted by drnick
mike, my dash grew from the need to replace or otherwise re-feed the speedo once i had put a GTS 5 spd box in the car. then i saw the racetech tacho and it all went from there. ive put the fuel and battey gauges down in the centre console, i dont have individual warning lights anymore but the uppermost red light is for the master caution - i figure that if its flashing i need to investigate i think if you use a vdo gauge for fuel it should work, the tacho needs to be configured to a 4 cylinder signal. the mechanicals look nice but the whole lot does add weight - there are some nice electrical alternatives out there with everything in one smaller package.

the only disadvantages with those eg stack or spa is the tacho normally reads to 8000 - which is a waste of gauge area and also they may not display numbers in large enough format for the other functions - although they do have programable alarms to make them more visible.
Hi Nick

Where exactly did you take your tacho feed from as I have a problem with inteference on my Nitrous race controller when feeding its tach input from the LT side of the left hand coil ???

All the best Brett
Old 01-18-2008, 04:40 AM
  #23  
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brett, the feed comes from the plug at the back of your pod but you need to checj the circuit diagrams to see which one - i cant remember!



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