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I plan to fit an oil pressure gauge and a water temperature gauge in a pod on the top of the dashboard. The main reason is to allow me to keep a more exact idea of the temperature my cars engine runs at whilst using a lower spec thermostat.

I know how to connect the gauges but want to be certain I am drilling in the right place before I start making holes in the dash. Did you take any pictures Jimmy when you did yours?? Is there anything I should watch out for?

Also, what water temperature should I aim for? What's a healthy oil pressure on a 2.5 m20?

can it not go into the funni speaker grill thing? or past an air vent? then just use some 3M double sided tape to attach pod.
no holes required

the tricky bit is the oil pressure sender. the confineds of the block casting round where the pressure switch is means the sender wont screw in. you'll need an extension pipe or sumurt.
good pressure is around a bar at tickover and 3 bar at mid revs.

Mark, id fit an Oil Pressure switch and gauge as there more accurate then the oil light coming on late if the the oil pump gives up!! water temp is on the dash, not needed mate, and also oil temp is important!!! i went the whole hog. Ill take a picture of my setup and post it to give you the idea, i have the 3 pod version of the one you posted, so far its the best i can find that looks nice on the E21 dashboard. I order all my sensors for america, the oil temp sensor is actually the oil sump plug and all made by VDO... you will need the correct sender units for the gauges otherwise you will get wrong reading... Also when you bolt it down it wont damage anything whilst screwing down, you wont need a drill, self tapping screw and will find its way down and tighten... easy stuff no need to worry about anything getting damaged. Im running electronc gauges by VDO nothing capillary with copper pipes.... dangerous .....


j

Only problem with standard temp' gauge is that needle position varies a massive amount over just a couple of degrees in water temp' which is why I want an exact measurement.
I've already got oil pressure and temp gauge combined plus a water temp gauge from TIM with both senders, although I much prefer the idea of an oil sender that goes into the sump.

Thanks for the pics when you get chance Jimmy.

Hi mark, ill post em tomorrow after work and see what gauges i have in my car, i have 5 gauges in total....



J

Hi mark as said, my current stup in my car is below, hope this gives you an idea!! if anything ill guide you thru wiring if your not sure mate!! The oil Temp isnt connected, will be when i fit a mocal oil cooler..







J

Cheers mate. Pod & gauges should be here in the morning.

--ALPINA-- wrote:Hi mark as said, my current stup in my car is below, hope this gives you an idea!! if anything ill guide you thru wiring if your not sure mate!! The oil Temp isnt connected, will be when i fit a mocal oil cooler..







J

where can i find that pod?

Try :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meter-Gauge-Pod-T ... 5884e217ae
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meter-Gauge-Pod-D ... 1c0e05f9bf


j

Rally Design UK also stock them - I got mine there but opted for 2 instead of 3.

--ALPINA-- wrote:

What's the digital readout gauge in the right-hand side vent?

This dash with the gauges pod looks just beautiful!!!!
However, I still have this question, what happens with the ventilation ducts that are behind of the pod..Do they still let enough fresh air in the cabin? Or are they obstructed by the pod??
Ok, I know that Jimi's opinion is : "who cares about these ducts?", but, still, I'd rather that everything on+in the car is working perfectly, exactly as it was designed!

Hmm, think I need to crack on and finish my wooden buck to make a RHD replica of the Zender gauge pod, there's monies to be made...

someone plz tell me 1) if the ducts still flow air (se my previous above reply) and 2) whether there's a way to fit the pod on the dash without opening new holes-for example how about the lots of holes existing for various screws where the old-not in use anymore-speaker?

......and 3) : Jimi STOP laughing at me....REVERSIBILITY, YES!!!!