What gauges to get and where..

[utleybanshee]

just got my grand national and its all stock.. its an 84 t-top and i converted to the 87 drivetrain.. i havent taken it to a benny yet.. but i would like to get the scanmaster and gauges while i wait.. So what gauges should i be purchasing, far as what needs to be monitored.. And what brand gauges do you guys like to go with.. I would like to have all matching gauges if possible.. Thanks.. in Advance...

 

[1quick6]

I'd go with Boost, water temp, oil pressure, and knock detector, but that's just me. Put boost and knock in an a-pillar pod and water / oil press in a pod below the radio ahead of the shifter. VDO is a good brand. You can get the knock gauge from Caspers.

What's a benny?

 

[DailyDrifter]

What's a benny?

Great question...............I'm assuming the track.

I personally like autometer ultra lites. I also like the carbon fiber ones too. Stewart Warner has some nice looking ones.

I might get flamed for this because mostly imports use them, but Defi makes a good looking gauge.

 

[03FatBoy]

I have an Autometer Pro-Comp Ultra Lite on the pillar, a Scanmaster, and VDO oil and water on the console.

 

[turbobuick87gn]

he's probably talking about the tb guru of the augusta, ga area...brett

 

[DJ Red Barron]

Gauges, Custom Gauges, Tachometers, Speedometers, Shift Light, Pod has tons of gauges and can do custom artwork if you want. I'm running 11 of them in my car and love 'em.

 

[gmpower]

Definitley get a boost gauge up to 30# and mount it on the pillar. You should also get a scanmaster , it has the knock gauge built in. Oil and water temp is also popular, but if you get the scanmaster it has a water temp gauge built in. I like to mount my scanmaster on the top part of my dash so it is easy to monitor knock while driving.

 

[novaderrik]

Definitley get a boost gauge up to 30# and mount it on the pillar. You should also get a scanmaster , it has the knock gauge built in. Oil and water temp is also popular, but if you get the scanmaster it has a water temp gauge built in. I like to mount my scanmaster on the top part of my dash so it is easy to monitor knock while driving.

the only thing i don't like about the Scanmaster is that it looks like a cheesy radar detector or something.. they should come up with one that has the "brains" hidden under the dash somewhere with an interface that fits anywhere you put a standard gauge- how kickass would it be to have the scanmaster display mounted in a pillar pod right below the boost gauge or integrated into a GNX style dash?

 

[GSTOY]

how kickass would it be to have the scanmaster display mounted in a pillar pod right below the boost gauge or integrated into a GNX style dash?

Hmmmm sounds like a challenge :biggrin: Actually sounds like a good idea

Ok as others have said, the basics, temp and oil guages in the console, scanmaster #1 can't tune or diagnose problems without it, boost and knock guages

Steve

 

[OneQuikSix]

the only thing i don't like about the Scanmaster is that it looks like a cheesy radar detector or something.. they should come up with one that has the "brains" hidden under the dash somewhere with an interface that fits anywhere you put a standard gauge- how kickass would it be to have the scanmaster display mounted in a pillar pod right below the boost gauge or integrated into a GNX style dash?

I totally agree...I wonder what would happen if someone took one apart to see what the display panel looks like. I wonder if it could be "separated" from the brains so that it could be mounted in the speedometer area and the unit itself located elsewhere...interesting thought.

 

[novaderrik]

or better yet- reconfigure the whole thing and make it fit wherever a gauge can go. someone sells an accelerometer that fits in a standard gauge hole, so it shouldn't be that hard to do. and it's not like they only sell them for the turbocharged Buick- they fit a LOT of different cars, almost all of which have custom fit gauge pods available.

 

[O SO LO]

I'd go with Boost, water temp, oil pressure, and knock detector, but that's just me. Put boost and knock in an a-pillar pod and water / oil press in a pod below the radio ahead of the shifter. VDO is a good brand. You can get the knock gauge from Caspers.

X2...

 

[03FatBoy]

you are right about the ability to put things in a single gauge pod... in my Tahoe (OBD2, however) I have a great scan tool/monitor from the company below:

Interceptor OBD2 data stream gauge and scan tool by Aeroforce Technology

If you have a newer vehicle, this thing is great. I have had mine for 3 years or so. Its mounted in the A pillar post.

 

[03FatBoy]

I have not been on their site in a while (Aeroforce), but check this one out... might have some interesting uses in our cars...

Aeroforce Technology Inc | Products - Analogic

 

[turbo39151]

I used VDO vision series. The light glows green through the numbers as opposed to around the ring in the cockpit series.

I did boost/vacuum, oil, water, volt, and knock gauge from caspers along with a scanmaster.

I used eGauges.com - VDO, Auto Meter, Defi, Isspro, Cyberdyne and Classic Instruments Gauges

Good luck with your decision