Guages

[Gambino]

Gauges

hey guys, I did a quick search/browse through here and didnt see this, so I thought I would post. If I missed it, I apologize but here goes

I recently found out that I am receiving a sweet deal on a brand new turbo kit on the market. I am gonna start getting my gauges next month (for my birthday). I have been thinking about doing Autometer Cobalts to try to keep a basic look and match my cluster as best I can. I was going to do boost, A/F, and probably oil pressure. I have since been told that most a/f guages are nothing more than dancing light shows and the only one worth getting is the AEM wideband. Help? Anyone have any input/suggestions? thanks!!!

 

[Jeph]

Get DEFI gauges, they are way more accurate than the autometers, and they look sweet too. I hate my autometer gauges.

 

[Gambino]

I have heard good things about DEFI. whats their website? Arent the incredibly expensive?

 

[Jeph]

They are pretty expensive, but sooo worth it. I want to trade out my gauges for them.

 

[Gambino]

ok, here is another question then. Are the autometers so bad that it wouldnt be worth getting them? cuz as sad as it is, if I decide to go with nicer gauges, it will probably push back boost time a month or so

 

[Jeph]

They work alright. Mine has worked decently for a while, but i would never buy them again. I say if you do it right the first time, you won't have to waste money to buy new ones when they take a crap, or you realize they aren't as accurate as you'd like.

 

[Gambino]

thats so true. Maybe I will just be getting one gauge for my bday instead of all three!!! unless the forums wants to buy me a bday present to get one more turbo kit for the 3 on the forums!

 

[Jeph]

Yeah, they are really pricey, but they aren't something you can just go over to pepboys and pick up. They are really nice, and usually you can get a package deal here on the forums.
I am thinking of getting the AEM serial gauges to run in my car, but they are around 250 each! 500 for 2 guages.. bleh

 

[Gambino]

bump for more input

 

[Jeph]

LOL my input isn't enough

 

[Gambino]

LOL my input isn't enough

haha, I just want more opinions! my main thing is ----- is it really worth the cost for someone like me to get the nicer gauges? I say someone like me because I am not gonna sit there and watch it and make constant adjustments. If it gets way off I will, so I dont really NEED something incredibly accurate.

 

[Jeph]

Well, i'd get the wideband for sure. Beau can get one of those for you at a decent price. My autometer bugs me because it doesn't acurately show how much boost i'm running, if my vacuum is right or not, so i never know if i have a vac leak. It reads 1 psi when the cars off...

 

[Blake]

i had the autometer ultra-lite series guages, and now have the defi d-guages, and i wouldnt trade my defis for the world. As it turns out, the auto-meter guage(boost) was off by 3 psi!. The defis, not only look sweet but perform awesomely. Also get a wideband!

 

[Gambino]

What color does the AEM wideband illuminate?

 

[Jeph]

it has red leds to display the af, and a red/yellow/green sweeping led

 

[Gambino]

does the gauge have a color backlight?

 

[Jeph]

Nope, I'll let you see mine before you make a decision. As soon as i get my car back...

 

[Gambino]

Nope, I'll let you see mine before you make a decision. As soon as i get my car back...

awesome, it sounds like thats what I really need to get! that sure is a lot of money though.....$300 for one gauge?

My main thing is I want to find gauges that not only function properly but look good together. So what gauges could I go with that will look good with the AEM?

 

[Jeph]

I think autometer has come out with a wideband a/f gauge now, its a little less expensive than the AEM, but it would match all the other gauges if you go autometer

 

[Gambino]

is a wideband something that can or cannot be purchased used? is that a bad idea?