Oil pressure gauge

[ajflan]

I will be purchasing an a/f gauge and a oil pressure gauge, both electrical. For the oil pressure gauge, will I need to purchase an oil filter sender adapter, or is there a way to hook up the pressure sender without the sandwich adapter? Any help would be appreciated.*edit* And if I do need the sandwich adapter, how do I figure out which adapter I need? Here is a link to the adapters.http://www.glowshiftdirect.com...ry=37

[ajflan]

Well nevermind. I found out. For anyone in the future who might want to know, it's 3/4in.

[djb383]

Why not go with a ScanGaugeII? It won't tell you oil pressure but it will tell you a bunch more and it just plugs in under the dash. Just my thoughts.http://www.scangauge.com/

[ajflan]

I've thought about the scan gauge. The thing is, I only want the a/f and oil pressure, and rather enjoy looking at custom gauges. It honestly somewhat of a cosmetic thing. My interior is stock, and I wanted it to look custom on the inside too.

[djb383]

Be very careful 'cause those 2 gauges are probably the most complicated to install correctly of all the main gauges.

[engineertwin2]

...and are the ones that provide the least amount of desired data.You aren't running a turbo/super charger, so A/F mixture isn't the worst number you'd get. And if your oil pressure goes, you're going to have to shut the engine off just like that. You shouldn't schedule PM (preventive maintenance) like oil changes based on differential pressure increases because the soaps and additives to the oil will break down long before your oil filter clogs significantly...Not to be a debbie-downer - just trying to keep you in the loop with the 411...

[ajflan]

First of all, why would I schedule an oil change based on an oil pressure gauge reading instead of doing it every 3,000 miles like I always do? I don't think I ever once said I would be doing that. And least amount of desired data? Do you think a voltmeter is more important? Or maybe water temp. Oh, wait! What about a gigantic tach! I'm sure that is more desired!

[feelin'thevibe]

Here is a picture of my single gauge pod, it is the universal one you buy at auto zone and I trimed and painted it to match and fit to the pillar. I still need to get the sandwich adapter to hook up the line for the gauge.

[ajflan]

That's where I will be having my gauges installed. However, I wont be using any universal pods, but instead gauge "cups" for a more raw look.

[djb383]

Quote, originally posted by ajflan »...............Do you think a voltmeter is more important? Or maybe water temp. Oh, wait! What about a gigantic tach! I'm sure that is more desired! Here's a different way to look at it. The factory thought volt info was more important than an oil pressure info, that's why volts is part of ECU diagnostics and oil pressure isn't. With regard to oil pressure, you either have it, or you don't. That's why the factory put a red light on the dash that lights up if oil pressure is too low. In 42 years of driving, I've never seen an oil pump fail but plenty of alternator failures. Unless your eyes are constantly glued to an oil pressure gauge, you probably won't see a pressure drop, like you would see when a red light flashes on. Same way with coolant temp, the ECU provides digital 1 degree increment info that the worthless dash coolant temp gauge doesn't come close to providing. The factory tach is fine and plenty big.The ScanGauge will tell you volts, coolant temp, intake air temp, ignition timing, MAP, % engine load, MPG, diagnostic codes, etc. etc. all in real time and all digital. In other words, so much more information and it's cosmetically pleasing to look at also. In a split second you can move the Scangauge to another OBDII vehicle and run diagnostics on it as well. Now how cool is that. A/F ratio gauges are for race cars that have the capability of manually adjusting A/F ratios. The Vibe ECU is constantly adjusting the A/F ratio automatically, via a number of sensors, you have no manual control over it, so why bother. Bottom line Dude, it's you ride, do what you want.

[ajflan]

I was being sarcastic about the tach. And the plain truth is that it IS my car so I WILL do what I want. I agree that the scan gauge is a much more useful and practical item, but the truth is that I don't give a crap what the gauges are telling me, I just like gauges. Nice, ricey gauges.

[engineertwin2]

Well, djb covered my response...And it is your ride...I wasn't trying to tell you NOT to do it, I was just telling you my opinion on the particular gauges you picked. I wish I could pick up a fuel efficiency gauge like BMW installs on their 5 series...I was just trying to figure out the practicallity of having these gauges but I see that you aren't after that, so my bad...rock on (mod on)...

[ajflan]

When you think about it, to have a scangauge or any gauge of that matter is pointless on all but the fewest Vibes out there. If there is no boost involved, then there is really no need for any gauges in our cars. People could spend all day "discussing" how pointless different gauges are. However, I will save everyone the time and effort by saying that none are a necessity. No matter how many mods you have on your Vibe, you don't need gauges. Anyone who has gauges put them there in part because they look cool. I am just trying to have fun with a car that I really enjoy, and I don't see the harm in that. I never once asked what gauges are pointless and what are not, I just asked for help on the install. I was just hoping that maybe someone would share my enthusiasm. (That means I'm not angry with anyone.)

[djb383]

Oh but young grasshopper, the right gauges/information IS important, especially to the people that repair our Vibes. When the technician plugs into the ALDL, he gets displays on his screen that provide him a wealth of info, almost like the Vibe is able to talk to him/her. The ScanGauge is simply an inexpensive and compact device that will provide the driver virtually the same info that the technician is able to obtain when the vehicle is in the shop. After all, this is the information age, isn't it.

[Celtic_Curse]

Sorry to resurrect this. AJFlan did you wind up ordering the sandwich? Was it the 3/4 inch one of the sight you show? Or did you find another way of hooking it up. Need your help on this.Thanks,Ivan.Also if someone could post a picture (under the hood) of where and how they spliced into the O2 sensor for the Air Fuel gauge that would be great.Ajflan we have almost the identical set up so any help would be great.

[kunkstyle]

Quote, originally posted by ajflan »No matter how many mods you have on your Vibe, you don't need gauges.Hahaha - I'm kind of partial to my gas gauge. I'd call that a necessity