This topic may have come up before, I don't know. If so I'm just bringing it up again, there's always new members with new input on any subject.

Gauges: Which gauges do you NEED, and which gauges are nice to have? Which gauges are unnecessary and which are completely worthless?

Obviously you need a boost gauge. The new profec b spec II and a lot of other electronic controllers are starting to integrate a boost readout. So you could probably get away without a gauge if you had one of those. Still, isn't it a lot easier to monitor a gauge that's either on the a-pillar or somewhere on the dash/around the instrument cluster? It's nice to know what's going on with your boost second by second. I think I'd still keep a boost gauge even if I had one of those electronic controllers.

Other than that, it's not set in stone. EGT is usually 2nd, but not necessarily, then you've got water temp, fuel pressure, oil pressure, wind speed and barometric pressure ( ) and enough other gauges in this line to fill every available mounting location. Then you have the dreaded a/f gauge. There are also aftermarket tachs and shift lights and such, not all of them of the 5" monster variety, as well as devices like the rev/speed meter.

What's your personal preference when it comes to gauges?

 

I prefer to have A/F (good unit like greddy), boost, Fuel pressure, oil pressure, and water temp.... The others like EGT and OIL temp really arent needed but could help diagnosing problems down the line...

Also an air temp before and after the intercooler is sometimes helpful too, but i dont think id waste time on it myself....

 

you need: (listed from most important to least important)

Tachometer (preferably not Indiglo or 5" monstersized)
Speedometer (so you dnot break the law and have the Man on your back)
Boost guage
WB02/UEGO (all else are Narrow band and not accurate enough)
EGT
Oil pressure
COolant temp
Oil Temp
Fuel level
Cylinder head temp
Trans Temp
Brake pressure
Voltmeter
Barometer

 

id say boost, oil pressure, and egt are the most important. unless youre using a wideband an A/F gauge is worthless. and if your car is tuned then its even more worthless. most cars come factory with a speedo, tach, and water temp which are usually sufficient

 

I would agree with Dave, Those are the gauges that I am going to be running..

 

Ya I have Boost, EGT, and oil pressure. I have heard great things about the GReddy A/F gauge though, and its actual numbers and not a light show. Only gauge I am concerned about now really is water temp which will be my next one.

 

Ok get ready to hate me, what is a EGT gauge? i hope its not engine temp or somethin easy like that and i just dunno the abreviation, and they really have a gauge that tells air temp before intercooler then afteR?

 

Exhaust gas temp.

 

Do you need EGT & A/F?
I's considering one of these next ,but have been told the EGT can function just as good for daily drigin and tuning purposes as well