Since the rebuild and my increasing number of track days, I'm feeling the need to keep a better eye on things, so I'm ditching the radio for a set of gauges. I'd like to have a water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure gauge. I've seen both mechanical and electrical gauges on the market, so where's the advantage to each? Do I need mechanical for certain things, and need electrical for others?

 

I was told that you want mechanical pressure gauges and electrical temp gauges, so that is what I have in my racecar. Recently I heard that electrical gauges have improved since that saying was developed, and that you can go electrical across the board. Mine work, so I don't complain.

Matt

 

The Formula Ford race mechanic that rebuilt my Lotus Seven Ford X-flow motor insisted that I use Autometer mechanical gauges across the board (water temp, oil temp, oil press). They have worked flawlessly for me and that car rides STIFFLY and BRUTALLY (2 weekends ago I turned a 2:15 with it at Watkins Glen long course). I couldn't walk straight for 2 days after that

Seriously, the mechanical gauges are supposed to react quicker and be more reliable than the electrics....

Todd

PS I have electrical gauges on my Honda racecar, cause they were free (took them out of the Lotus when I replaced all the guages with the mechanical Autometers!). The whole B18B engine swap cost less than the headers on my Lotus, so I figured I would just scrounge the gauges...

 

mechanical temp gauges are a major pain to install though.

You could go electrical for everything and be fine.