I've been searching and buying random things over the last little while but I've been avoiding one of the key accessories, that being my guages. I think my main concern has been choosing a set I like because when I do, I plan to live with them. I don't hear many people speak of these but the autometer guages seem to appeal to me most. Preferably I like the Autometer NV series(To see Click Here) but what concerns me is the fact... Will they work on our old trucks and will they work in a simple odd dash pod? You have to remember I want a 60LB Boost, a Pyro and a Tranny Temp. All in all what should I do? Should I go with the autometer guages or something else. Whatever I do I would like to do it in the next month or so.

On a side note I was looking at a Westach Quad Guage. The only thing that appealed to me about them is the pre and post pyrometer reading. Not that I NEED the post reading but it would still be fun. I wouldn't mind having an opinion on this as well.

Thanks, Mike

 

You can't go wrong with Autometers; I've never heard of a complaint. If anything, Autometer is the benchmark by which the rest of the gauge industry is judged.

Saying that, if you want the NV series I would say go for it. But do they really match at all? I went with the Z-Series for a Pyro, Boost and Tach, since they matched the stock gauges.

A pyro works on anything, as does the boost gauge. I don't know how the tranny temp gauge works since I didn't get one, but since there are hundreds of people running them I don't think they're too difficult to hook up.

The boost gauge and pyro were super easy installs. I got the big, thick thermocouple (the quarter-inch one), but I don't think it makes that big of a difference.

As for mounting, just don't get a pillar pod. In order to install the thing and still have two screws into the pillar you have to put it half-way up the pillar, which makes it hard to glance at if you're 5'8" like I am. If I had the oppurtunity to do it again I would either grow another 4 inches or just use cups.

Pictures of my installation are in the gallery. Not too hard of a job.

 

Yes those gauges will work in your truck.

The Boost gauge will hook up to a port either in your air horn or with a boost bolt.

The Pyro will hook to a port in the exhaust manifold with a thermocouple that comes with the gauge.

The Transmission temperature will connect to a port with a sender that comes with the gauge. You might have a port in the trans pan to install the sender, or you might have to get a manifold and fitting kit to hook it up.

 

apoc did you check our classifieds they have a quad guage and a real cool piller mount set of guage ithink you should check them out

 

Mike, I don't see any reason the NV's wouldn't work if that's the style you like. One cool thing about them, they have a 2,000 degree pyro. I would get that one, I wish I knew exactly how hot mine was getting on dyno pulls. Another nice thing is that they have a full sweep electric (like a pyro) trans temp gauge, that is cool.

The Westach gauges look hard to read. I like a full sweep needle if I can get one, and I like to clock my gauges so "normal" is straight up, it makes reading them at a glance much easier.

 

The autometers should work fine, i don't know about the NV series being the best match , but hey , whatever floats your boat.

I went with Di-pricols, because i got the whole set (pyro boost and tranny temp) with senders wiring , tubing etc , really REALLY cheap.

 

I think they will look pretty cool if he gets one of the white dash gauge overlays to go with it. I think you can get them on Ebay.

Personally I prefer a black gauge. I find white dash layouts disturb my night vision a lot more.

But, like they say, whatever gives your vessel positive bouyancy.

 

Yup, seen those. I was kind of out in left field about the Westach one but I think Dave settled me on that.
I would enjoy the 2,000 Degree EGT gauge. That's something I might have to dive into. I have a feeling stuff might start to get hot here in a few months...

OH... and I know 2nd gens can get a white faced guage set to replace the stock ones in the dash... I dont suppose there would be a kit like that for first gens as well?

 

Winr has them.



He got them from whitegauges.net

 

It kind of sucks that the inside numbers are in a pinkish tint but I guess it could be worse... I wouldn't mind seeing one in KPH instead of MPH but I guess I could live with it if I had to. Nonetheless thanks Dave

 

Check with those guys and see if they do a Canuck version. AFAIK it's just stickers. They have the design, so I'd imagine they can do any color combo you want as well.

 

Or you could be like me and buy a non-canuck truck (that sorta kinda rhymes )