Engine gauges

I will have to purchase a complete assortment of gauges for my project and I was wondering if anyone has used Race Pak all in one cluster? I just wonder in the end if the Race-pak would cost the same or more than a cluster of AutoMeter's. I wouldn't normally want all of these gauges but the project vehicle will be driven on the street, so I would like to see if something is going down.

I want the following information:
RPM
MPH / OD
Coolant temp
oil pressure
oil temp
transmission temp
voltage
fuel pressure
I will be running an AFR meter as well.

Is there any shops in the south that can do wiring like a pro? I want all the old wiring and fuse block removed and re-done to make it look like it was meant to be.

With or without data logging? Without it will be about the same, and it looks cooler. Either way it makes for a much cleaner and easier installation than analog style.

Without data logging.

I agree it would be a lot cleaner looking!

Doug, would you be interested in doing the electrical for me? Of course I would pay!

MoTec has some cool stuff you might want to take a look at as well.

jones wrote:Doug, would you be interested in doing the electrical for me? Of course I would pay!

I wish I could because I have the time, but I just don't have the space. Two cars in the shop plus my Econoline project on the chassis table.

I will check the Motec equipment out.

I can do wiring as I'm pretty good with a soldering iron. The problem I have is running wires in the right place. I'm all ways hesitant to shorten a wire. I start thinking if I want to use the equipment on another project some day down the road. There always ends up being one wire that should have been ran in a loom and I had all ready wrapped it up.
With this project I want to use good connectors that won't jar loose. I have had the male / female spade connectors come apart off roading before, It all ways happen at the worse time.

Does anyone know of a supply house that has a good selection of terminal, wire, water proof connectors?
I really want the MSD ignition to be solid.
Plan on running a 240-300 amp alternator with atleast two batteries.

Doug, I'll bring you to my house and let you work out of my shop! I have two extra guest rooms, feed you real good and pay you for your time!!  I'll even give you a tour around MS!

If you want, I'll swing my Georgia pick you up and we can ride to Kentucky, Dyno my engine and bring you back to the house!! LoL I can keep you busy if you wanted to work for me!!

The gauges are much easier to read at a quick glance, so i use them to monitor the basics & use the racepak for the rest......which is usually only while tuning.

I know exactly what you are talking about, the last couple of projects I would index the gauges so the needles would be at twelve o'clock at normal levels.

I came across the "Smart Wire" Race-pak sells, it's a tad expensive but it reads up to minimize a lot of wiring. I could mount the UDX street display where my factory gauges where located and use two switch panels mounted where the stereo use to be. That would allow me to eliminate all the old factory wiring and switches.

Negative with race-pak: They don't have a mechanical speedometer pick-up. If I wanted MPH I would have to fabricate a ring and pick-up on the driveshaft or replace the rear axle with a unit that has the pick-up built in.

I'm pretty sure I will use a alternator from this company.
http://www.mechman.com

X2 on the Mechman alternators. I found their site sometime back and have been researching their products. When I can get the Mustang back in the shop I'll be replacing the Powermaster with one of theirs. Powermaster never has cut the mustard on my junk.

Which transmission are you using? The reason I ask is that even though on older cars the speedometers were cable driven some used a speed sensor to also operate the Cruise Control like on my 1990 Mustang with the AOD transmission. As far as I know that will work with the RacePak stuff. Might be worth a call to RacePak to confirm that. I know it works with Autometers speedometer because I have it on the small block Mustang. I just deleted the old cable, and connected the wires.

I am using a c6 transmission. I know the AOD and the c6 are similar so I wonder if the AOD sensor will work in the c6. Race-pak said I could use any type of sensor just have to program it for the type of sensor.

From my research they are the same, T5, AOD, AODE, C4, C6, Toploaders.

Autometer and VDO have their own version, I especially like the VDO because it comes with a long lead and they have one without the cable feed though if your not using a mech. speedo.

If I use the Race-pak UDX I won't need a mechanical cable. I've about convinced myself to go with the rac-pak parts.

UDX is a good choice, available in three versions Display, Replay, Street Rod. Not knowing if this is a street car, be aware that with the Street Rod version you cannot add the Sportsman or V3 data logger to it later. But it does have all the abilities needed for street.

The Street Dash has all the amenities needed on a street-driven vehicle. Through a combination of your existing sensors and those included in the kit, this dash will provide you with the ability to display engine RPM, speedometer, odometer, water and oil temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage, and fuel level. It has internal indicator lights for such items as low oil pressure, high water temperature, turn signals, high beam, and parking brake. Additional functions can be displayed with the purchase of the appropriate V-Net sensor and module combination. A relay for an electric fan controller, and a minimum/maximum recall function, are included in the Street Dash kit. wrote:

The UDX has limited options to label different feilds.
The IQ3 dash can be configured with more labeling options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdR3MM_ZeI

I have a UDX.
MMM Beer.

email me and I will shoot you a quote for which ever one you decide. justin@2jmfab.com

We don't run any gauges in our car but do have an oil pressure dummy light wired in. Too much going on during a mid 4 sec pass to worry about gauges. LOL

hienergy557 wrote:The UDX has limited options to label different feilds.
The IQ3 dash can be configured with more labeling options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdR3MM_ZeI

I have a UDX.
MMM Beer.

Do you like the UDX? My brother did mention to me that I might want the option for the data logger down the road. Just depends on when I start spraying nitrous or add a supercharger.

FYI for everyone: My project truck is a 1989 Ford F150 4x4. It is built around me wanting a powerful street 4x4 truck that I can race my buddies at the "no prep" drag races. (I picture the truck racing like the 4x4 diesel trucks except with a BBF) I am trying to find a good radial tire that has more tread than a drag radial but a sticky compound in a 31-33" tall tire.

I was going to lift the truck and put 40" tires but I know I will have more fun doing four wheel drive launches against unsuspecting people! I know I will have some weak areas to work on but I'll have fun with it running and do the suspension upgrades as time passes.

whatbumper wrote:email me and I will shoot you a quote for which ever one you decide. justin@2jmfab.com

We don't run any gauges in our car but do have an oil pressure dummy light wired in.  Too much going on during a mid 4 sec pass to worry about gauges. LOL

I'll be in touch when I can figure out exactly what I need and how in-depth I want to go on the wiring. Do you sell ignition boxes? What else do you sell?

jones wrote:

hienergy557 wrote:The UDX has limited options to label different feilds.
The IQ3 dash can be configured with more labeling options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdR3MM_ZeI

I have a UDX.
MMM Beer.

Do you like the UDX? My brother did mention to me that I might want the option for the data logger down the road. Just depends on when I start spraying nitrous or add a supercharger.

My UDX dash is awsome. I use it with a Sportsman logger.
I was just saying you can do more with a IQ3.

jones wrote:

whatbumper wrote:email me and I will shoot you a quote for which ever one you decide. justin@2jmfab.com

We don't run any gauges in our car but do have an oil pressure dummy light wired in.  Too much going on during a mid 4 sec pass to worry about gauges. LOL

I'll be in touch when I can figure out exactly what I need and how in-depth I want to go on the wiring. Do you sell ignition boxes? What else do you sell?

We sell everything. I'm trying to get a web store built but that easier said than done when working two full time jobs currently. I'll have more time when my teaching contract is up in June. Send an email for anything and I'll shoot back a price. Thanks

whatbumper wrote:

jones wrote:

whatbumper wrote:email me and I will shoot you a quote for which ever one you decide. justin@2jmfab.com

We don't run any gauges in our car but do have an oil pressure dummy light wired in.  Too much going on during a mid 4 sec pass to worry about gauges. LOL

I'll be in touch when I can figure out exactly what I need and how in-depth I want to go on the wiring. Do you sell ignition boxes? What else do you sell?

We sell everything.  I'm trying to get a web store built but that easier said than done when working two full time jobs currently.  I'll have more time when my teaching contract is up in June.  Send an email for anything and I'll shoot back a price.  Thanks

I have sent you a email with a list of items I know I will need to purchase eventually.

When you get the truck done, we will have to meet up at the 1/8th mile track at battlefield. My truck is currently down, but I took it out there one time last year on my 37's and smoked a new model camaro. The guy couldn't believe a big ole 4x4 just walked on him! I tried a few launches in 2wd, but it would spin really easily. So, on my last pass I put the truck in 4Hi. This was the race with the camaro. When I stomped it off the line, the truck raised up and all 4 tires still spun. I feathered the throttle and just went ahead and shifted to 2nd before I was out of the lights. The torque of the BBF pulled out from the camaro and I never quit pulling on him for the rest of the 1/8th.

I put an induction solutions plate on my truck and did a head change since then. I can't wait to go back!

When you find the street races please let me know, I'd like to get in on some of that action!

Jon