Ok, So, heres the deal. I have the Gauge type UEGO with the EMS so I already have a 53mm WB AFR gauge to fill one whole out of the two on a SOS A-Pillar Gauge pod. I don't really feel like installing everything and having an empty hole glaring at me everytime I get in the car. So before I install the UEGO I'd like to figure out what gauge I should get to fill the second hole. If I was F/I I would do boost but right now I'm not F/I and I don't know when I ever will be or if I ever will be.

I'm thinking oil temp is my best choice, either that or fuel pressure.

I'm not worried about coolant temp because I'm going to get the modifry mod for the gauge and adjust it to my preferences. And Oil Pressure, well give me reasons why it is more important than oil temp. Obviously if you loose oil pressure then well your pretty much screwed, but thats the point it seems like all the gauge is telling you is that well time to buy a new motor.

Anyway, opinions are welcome.

 

Unless you track the car, oil temp can be related to coolant temp. One is usually not far behind or ahead of the other. The exception is on a track where oil temp can change rapidly apart from coolant temp, but on the street, coolant temp will generally give you a fair indication of oil temp going up or down even though it won't give you a number. Remember, we have a cooling jacket around the base of the oil filter, so coolant temp can be more affected by oil temp and visa versa.

If you know what to look for and learn how to use it, an oil pressue gauge could save your bacon one day. How? If you are cruising along, you will know what "normal" oil pressure is and how the gauge needle looks during various driving scenarios. We all know that our oil pressure "idiot" light won't come on till the pressure is almost to ZERO anyway, so like you said, TOO LATE! However, the oil pressure gauge will give you warning before the light will. We know that this car has been known to use up oil at alarming rates sometimes during regular use. Then there is that possibility that we could lose oil from various other means - broken fitting, loose plug, loose filter, etc. As the oil level drops to a point where the oil pump just starts to pull air in, you will see a subtle fluctuation in the oil pressure gauge needle and a different pressure from normal. By this time, you would have about 2 to 3 qts left in the engine. This is still not beyond the point of no return. Knowing this information and acting accordingly will save your engine.

Unless you know at what temp oil can get before it stops being of any use, knowing that number tells you little. Also, each grade and type of oil will have its own critical temp. By this time, your coolant temp will have gone through the roof and you will have reacted anyway.

Also, unless you plan on tapping a hole into your block, the easiest way to mount an oil temp sender is by way of a Greddy oil filter sandwich. Taking the temp here, of course, may not be accurate as the water cooling jacket is there, giving an artificial reading. Still, it's your choice which one you'd rather have.

 

Thanks Xviper, you always seem to be the first to reply to my questions! thanks.

You've swayed me towards oil pressure, And since I will only be getting one gauge and it will be 53mm I can't really go with the Defi. What do you suggest, Obviously it needs black face and Orange lighting (I like matching stuff)

First that comes to mind is Autometer...but...I'm not sure on the quality, I had three Autometer gauges in my previous car (EGT, Boost, IAT [99 GST] ) and they seemed fine...but I'll take opinions on this again. Lastly where do people typically tap the oil pressure sender?

Thanks again

 

Since you have a 2000, I think you need a clock:

 

HAHAHA...thats great...I love it. But I have a Apline HU, Cell Phone and often wear a watch

 

Hehe, I LIKE that clock idea.
Autometer makes a whole variety of styles of gauges. I'm sure you'll find one that will match your existing one. Go to Autometer's website and have a look at them all.
Best to tap into the existing oil pressure sender where the ECU picks up the signal for the idiot light (below the VTEC solenoid). Get a fitting to go into the engine and then "T" off that one. From the "T", run 2 flex hoses and remotely mount both the stock sender and the aftermarket sender. This way, you won't put too much weight on the "T" and risk cracking the fitting in the engine.

A reminder: If you are tracking the car, an oil temp may be more important.

 

I do track the car occasionally...actually enough that I would consider that I do track it...I try to once a month. However, from your description, I think Oil Pressure is more for me. I will have my "stock" coolant gauge set relatively umm (loss of words) each bar not too far apart. Maybe have 4 bars only 10 degrees hotter then normal running temp rather than whatever it is now cause I've never seemed to reach 4 bars.

Perhaps if I ever do turn this car into a real track car I will add more gauges and Oil temp will be one of them.

My guess is that excessively lean mixtures, low oil levels, and insufficent cooling are the top reasons for high oil temps. All of which I will have a way of monitoring between WB AF gauge, Coolant temp, and Oil Pressure...right?

I know we've talked about aircraft before, and I came to think of my training again and the fact that most G.A. Planes use Oil temp as the temp gauge (they are air cooled) so...in most instances the gauge is actually very slow moving.

Anyway...on with our discussion or whatever is left of it?

 

I think you've got a very good grasp of what's going on here. You'll make the right choice, I'm sure.

 

Aww...thanks ya, I just needed a little help to push me in the right direction, Oil temp it will be. Thanks again xviper, I have yet to remember your name.

-Eric-

edit* btw...I will be buying a membership soon...I've finally actually started making surplus money at work while in college...just thought I'd throw that out there...that and I want to sell some parts

 

Ok...I'm thinking I'll go with the Autometer Nexus Oil Pressure Gauge,

I searched to see if anybody else has them and came up with nothing. Any opinions or thoughts on this gauge? Mainly I was looking for some sort of Electric, Black face, Red/Orange lighting gauge...and $250 its not a bad price but I'll keep looking to try and find it cheaper.