80 Series Aftermarket Gauge Choices & Mounting Options (1 Viewer)

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No, boost, AFR and tranny temp will not be in the scangauge because they did not exist when the vehicle came out. There is no MAP sensor, the O2 sensor was a narrow band, and there was not a trans temp sensor. So any of the OBDII devices are kind of useless for this purpose.
I figured boost on SC was no go, but when I say tranny temp Im saying I have the fitting for tranny and will add a temp guage for just that. I didnt think SC could be read by SGII
 
Yep, no boost from SC or Turbo on scan gauge and no trans temp on the scan gauge. You can get it on later models but not on the 80.

I figured boost on SC was no go, but when I say tranny temp Im saying I have the fitting for tranny and will add a temp guage for just that. I didnt think SC could be read by SGII
 
This is the design I have and have made a positive of to vacuum form from - but I 100% agree with all the downsides others have pointed out - tweaker bait, vision, etc - the one thing I did change was thickened the lower flange that tucks in the dashboard & A-pillar gap to give it a better fit/no flexing.
I’m also adding a piece of felt-tape to wrap both sides below the dash, so no vibe noise & it’ll really sandwich it in snugly.

I’m also double-layering the plastic to make it stout in comparison - so gauges won’t wobble even in diesel at idle applications, the guages will be supported between the lower grab handle bolt (retains it) & the tighter fit at dash gap.

I’m kinda like Joey - I’m either doing these right once, or they are dog$hit - the original I’m improving was dog$hit for quality.

That said, I’m absolutely with anyone who’s more into doing a Android tablet or PLX / multi display guages - I get it.

Mine will just be an option of the 3) 2-1/16” gauges for the traditionalists who like VDO or whichever gauges (I’m partial to VDO Visions with the green bulb cover, matches the 80 almost spot on).


I’m only going to do small runs based on demand, and color will be black you can paint with SEM or cover with cloth & Super 77 glue.

Trying to keep it under $150, no real profit doing small runs but I’ve no desire to sit on 90 of these if only 10 people want this piece as an option.
Call me clairvoyant, I know how Mud tends to go ;)

@LINUS I couldn't remember who it was that was trying to make an improved version of these. Glad you chimed in.
I can't decide what route i'm going yet but the more i look the more i lean back towards A pillar. Its tweaker rice bait but at the same time i hate having stuff poking out of the dash like a giant multi 14-1 screen.
I may order one up just to physically try placing it in some spots.
I didn't mind the look of the triple A pillar i posted above, though i currently have a ram mount on my grab handle which i love and would lose going that route and just end up with a phone thats even bigger than the 14-1 on a useless cubby insert or something.

ok I have dual pod for A pillar have yet to install I have a huge list of todo going on now. but my scanguage covers a lot WT being one, and boost is in there I just havent fiugred out how to use it. Also I want to add tranny temp guage have the secret tranny fitting just haent done it yet.
No, boost, AFR and tranny temp will not be in the scangauge because they did not exist when the vehicle came out. There is no MAP sensor, the O2 sensor was a narrow band, and there was not a trans temp sensor. So any of the OBDII devices are kind of useless for this purpose.

@scottryana beat me to it but yes, the scangauge will not take external non obdII sensors.
 
@LINUS I couldn't remember who it was that was trying to make an improved version of these. Glad you chimed in.
I can't decide what route i'm going yet but the more i look the more i lean back towards A pillar. Its tweaker rice bait but at the same time i hate having stuff poking out of the dash like a giant multi 14-1 screen.
I may order one up just to physically try placing it in some spots.
I didn't mind the look of the triple A pillar i posted above, though i currently have a ram mount on my grab handle which i love and would lose going that route and just end up with a phone thats even bigger than the 14-1 on a useless cubby insert or something......

I thought about the useless cubby insert and a tablet as well, but again its taking the eyes way from the road as well as I have not been able to find anyone with software that allows multiple gauges and sensors to be on the screen at once. PLX maybe, but I could not find it. I found myself over on the GReddy website today and noticed their Sirius Option, but thats just a bit of bling and a good way to drain fuel money. Could be kinda cool though.
 
I thought about the useless cubby insert and a tablet as well, but again its taking the eyes way from the road as well as I have not been able to find anyone with software that allows multiple gauges and sensors to be on the screen at once. PLX maybe, but I could not find it. I found myself over on the GReddy website today and noticed their Sirius Option, but thats just a bit of bling and a good way to drain fuel money. Could be kinda cool though.
I looked through those as well. Seems like a cool option but a bit too bling for me.
Makes me wonder how hard taking the 14-1 and rigging it up to some kind of programmable HUD on the lower left windshield would be.... :hmm:

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I looked through those as well. Seems like a cool option but a bit too bling for me.
Makes me wonder how hard taking the 14-1 and rigging it up to some kind of programmable HUD on the lower left windshield would be.... :hmm:

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My other idea was instead of a A pillar gauge cluster, was to build a box that would reside in the lower left corner between the dash and the glass. It would hold three 52mm gauges and it would be set. Of course it would be secured and such from vibrations and movement. I would stray away from any sort of hardware into of the dash, so a fancy sort of mount would have to be made or simply double sided tape maybe. Just another idea, try to make it as small as possible of course to eliminate its ability to create a blindspot.
 
FWIW I have an old-school boost gauge in an A-pillar pod and while I tend to agree it's ricey, the location is super-easy to see at a glance. I've gotten used to it. Ideally I'd mount it in the cluster, but it does work well.
 
My other idea was instead of a A pillar gauge cluster, was to build a box that would reside in the lower left corner between the dash and the glass. It would hold three 52mm gauges and it would be set. Of course it would be secured and such from vibrations and movement. I would stray away from any sort of hardware into of the dash, so a fancy sort of mount would have to be made or simply double sided tape maybe. Just another idea, try to make it as small as possible of course to eliminate its ability to create a blindspot.

I've thought about this as well, or on the right of the cluster hump a bit. I do not want to mess with my dash pad at all though or drill any holes, which opens those issues.

the 14-1 seems more and more the way to go.
All in for <$400 not including mounting, but more sensors than we need and can program the face to show what we want. I like analog gauges but for this purpose (low boost) i'm less worried than if I was running 20+psi.
 
With many of us going the @NLXTACY turbo route and many others with superchargers wanting to monitor their motors further it seems like a good time to start a discussion on gauges and options.

Will be replacing a Madman EMS1, which was bomber and served us well for 8 years, with the new EMS3 52mm in a single gauge pod.
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The settable hi/lo alarm for each parameter has paid for itself a few times. Actually saved my engine twice - an oil leak and later a coolant leak. It's awesome to hand your GF the keys and say "if it alarms - pull over and call me".Also has the hour meter for servicing.
Madman is coming out with a new wifi based android app and controller with custom inputs called Bravo. Hopefully will solve the problem of running OBDII apps on older vehicles without going Arduino.
No affiliation - but I like to support products actually intended for offroad use
 
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I went the vent route with a 3in1 gauge from Glowshift. The needle sweep is EGT, digital display on it shows boost and trans temp, so it is more diesel oriented but they have a couple other arrangements available that might work in your petrol cases.

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I have the same gauge mounted on top of dash by a pillar and love it. Now I’m replacing the dash and don’t want to screw into it. I’m looking for ideas to mount that and an afr gauge somewhere in eyesight, maybe on the pillar.
 
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The only worry I have with that is just how large of a blind spot it creates. I really like the idea but can you imagine trying to watch your panel in the woods and having you shimmy around that mini tablet 14-1 unit. Just constructive criticism.
The 14-1 is smaller than my phone in the photos. I don't have any issue seeing around it but i'm also a large human with a goose neck so that may be why... ha
 
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The 14-1 is smaller than my phone in the photos. I don't have any issue seeing around it but i'm also a large human with a goose neck so that may be why... ha
AHHHHHHHH.... See when I was under the impression that the 14-1 was the size of a hardcover text book from high school. That changes things.
 

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