Wanting Additional Gauges, considering options

I've decided to go with Oil Pressure and Oil Temperature. I am still unsure which is the better method for the sending units though. Trying to T off the existing idiot light sensor, or going with a quality sandwich plate like a Greddy perhaps that has locations for two senders? I've read horror stories of those things leaking on people, but it seems like they went with cheapo ones. Is a quality sandwich plate a solid option, or is it a quick solution option? the opinions seem mixed on the matter. It is a brand new truck, so I want to go with the best option for this install.

 

I just installed oil, water and voltage gauges in my mustang gt. I too heard stories with the sandwich adapters some good some bad. take a look at SpeedHut gauges, you can custom build them to match your Tacoma dash lights. I teed off the factory oil sending unit and used a plug in the block for the water temp. both places use npt and sending units that came with the gauges fit. the gauges in the Tacoma are glorified idiot lights, oil is on or off, temp is about the gauge that really changes. the guys at SpeedHut will help you out, made in USA and lifetime warranty. I went with their Legacy line but the entry level are great too. think the main difference are sending units that come with them. one option is 3 gauge cluster that sits on dash, just make sure to get analog not mechanical, don't want to run oil or water lines into the cab. kind of pricey, not as expensive as the cobalt line from autometer.

 

A little late now to respond but the Aeroforce gauge will read do everything and more than either the Scangauge or UG. It also has 2 analog inputs for additional sensors such as oil pressure etc. You'd only need one gauge to do everything.

Todd

 

Will it show boost (manifold pressure) on a Tacoma?

 

If you mean positive boost from a supercharger or turbo no, you would need to install a 2 or 3 bar MAP sensor and connect to the analog input of the gauge.

I don't think the Tacoma has a MAP sensor from the factory so the gauge won't read vacuum/boost from the OBD2 port. That's one of the benefits of this gauge, you can add sensors not found on the truck.

Todd

 

That's a good point. I forgot that these trucks aren't MAP. Nuts!

Edit: You don't happen to know if they use a stock wide-band, do you? I'm guessing no but it seems more vehicles these days have that stock and can be read by OBDII type tools. It would be super useful if the Tacoma did but I doubt it since they're pretty old-school when it comes to technology.

 

No, but again, this is another very beneficial sensor that can be added and read on the Interceptor that cannot be done with other similar products that came out after ours.

Todd

 

Are any additional sensors needed to display knock activity? What does that look like? Does it simply measure in kvr or ?? I see you can display a few parameters related to this so I'm curious how those work. Back in the day I had modified my 1990 turbo Eclipse with an LED & a resistor to display the knock activity that ECU was seeing (if any) so I assume this will do that only in a more elegant fashion.

What is your suggestion for an inexpensive MAP sensor that would work with our trucks and this gauge? What about wide-band 02 sensor?

 

There is a parameter called knock feedback and another called knock learn but we haven't made much sense out of it. They are there but I'm not going to promote them as significant features since I really don't know what they are indicating after watching them for quite a while.

We carry numerous sensors to be used with our gauges. This includes a wideband kit, a 2 bar MAP sensor among others for boost, temp, pressure, EGT, etc. I'm guessing you're running below 15 psi so the 2 bar would be perfect for your application.

Todd

 

Well I might be interested but the price is a pretty big pill to swallow. If you can straighten out the knock readings & what not I would be more interested but as it sits it's basically just a really expensive boost gauge for my needs since I'll have to figure out something for KVR or at least wideband 02 reading. I know you offer the accessory but that just increases the price even more. Food for thought no less. Thanks for your time and it seems like a great option for most.

 

Regarding price I don't know what you're comparing it to. Boost gauge plus a wideband kit w/gauge is going to be around $300-$350 and you're getting about 5% of what this gauge can do. You won't have programmable warning lights, performance timer, DTC read and clear, record function, etc. You won't have access to intake air temp, trans temps, ignition advance, MAF, etc. There are other OBD2 products that cost less but also are very limited in functionality unless all you car about is fuel ecomony (buy a Prius), as well as looks, and you'll still need to buy a boost gauge and A/F kit and you'll have to deal with the awkward/cheap appearance.

Todd

 

What I meant was with this particular truck I don't need to monitor all these parameters so closely. I want (don't even really need) to be able to monitor boost and possibly either O2's or KVR. I can see the benefit of all the other parameters for sure and on past vehicles that were heavily modified that I would have LOVED to have one or two of these to monitor all the parameters I needed (not wanted) to monitor. With this truck I really don't even need a boost gauge and could probably run this setup until the cows come home w/o any issues. The OCD in me wants to be able to monitor at least boost (since it's cheap for a boost gauge and they're easy to install) but I may just leave things as they are to save money and effort and will likely never see a difference either way. When I cam across your gauge I had no idea on pricing or what it could monitor out of the box so that's what I was interested. Now that I see what it would cost to monitor what I want to monitor I can't justify the price for my particular application. That's not to say it's not worth it because it clearly is and if I had something other than this truck I'd be all over at least one of them. I wasn't meaning to say it wasn't worth it I was just saying that it may not be worth it for my particular needs. That's all.

ETA: I've got a turbo Optima too (in my sig) and I know that it has MAP from the factory and possible wide-band O2 monitoring as well. If that's the case I might consider one for that as I may up the boost and would need to more closely monitor this since it's not a stock upgrade and would need better control. Can you confirm if the new turbo Optimas have wide-band O2 from the factory.