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Aftermarket gauges

Posted by 89325iturbo

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Aftermarket gauges #1
89325iturbo Dusty A CT, USA	Posted: February 28, 2012 07:38PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 253

Im gonna buy an aftermarket wiring harness, and a set of gauges. What should I go with electric or mechanical? I want a clean look in the engine bay. I dont want wires going across places. But I imagine electric are easier to install.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #2
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 1959 Austin A40 Farina 1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye (Bugeye) 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MkII "Green Sprite" 1969 MG MGC GT "CGT" 1979 MG MGB → more	Posted: February 28, 2012 08:17PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 4,343

Dusty,

The key word was aftermarket.

As soon as we know you don't need a standard appearance, the VSS wire is far easier to hide and far more tunable for less money.

Do nothing with a cable.

-BMC.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #3
89325iturbo Dusty A CT, USA	Posted: February 28, 2012 08:29PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 253

Well I should say its going on a carbed 302. So I was gonna use a basic 10-12 circuit harness. I just want easy clean install of gauges.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #4
sjboyer Scott Boyer Illinois, USA 1977 MG MGB	Posted: February 29, 2012 09:36AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 415

Check the gauges from Speedhut https://www.speedhut.com .

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #5
Mickey Richaud Clarksville, Tenn., USA	Posted: February 29, 2012 10:10AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 605

VDO gauges - doesn't get much easier.

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_mult3.asp?Type=6_G_Set&Series=Vision&Units=E

smileys with beer

Mickey

'73 MGB
'69 MGB GT/V6 Conversion

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #6
1744 Bill Guzman California, USA 1973 MG MGB GT "Green GT" 1974 MG MGB "Punking"	Posted: February 29, 2012 10:55AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,818

TPI Gauges offer lots for the price.

http://www.tpigauges.com/

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #7
TKMad Tyler Madia Thousand Oaks, USA	Posted: February 29, 2012 02:57PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 748

In reply to # 1998087 by sjboyer Check the gauges from Speedhut https://www.speedhut.com .

I'm itchin to try the GPS speedo from Speed Hut. Next project will definitely have their gauges.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #8
1744 Bill Guzman California, USA 1973 MG MGB GT "Green GT" 1974 MG MGB "Punking"	Posted: February 29, 2012 04:20PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,818

Tyler, there is a much better deal and cheaper.

Classic Instruments Gauges have a GPS unit that will work with an electronic speedo for $190 for 40 or 60 pulse.

There is a good article on the latest Street Rodder magazine.http://www.classicinstruments.com/index.aspx?documentID=newproducts
I am going to order mine, I just need a bit more info.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #9
danmas Dan Masters Alcoa, Tennessee, USA 1974 MG MGB GT "Powered By Ford"	Posted: February 29, 2012 05:19PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 1,193

I have Classic Instruments in my GT, with the convex glass lens - I think the curved lens adds a bit of classic panache to the gauges.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #10
1744 Bill Guzman California, USA 1973 MG MGB GT "Green GT" 1974 MG MGB "Punking"	Posted: February 29, 2012 07:00PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,818

I agree Dan. I was a good customer of Classic Instruments until they went up in price.
I had the original gear selector auto trans gauge. The gauge had the letters-# P-D-1-2 and the sensor was a crude (by today standards) magnet in the trans selector lever with 6 or 8 wires.

They were the first to offer the convex glass. Now VDO and Auto-Meter and others offer the convex glass.

Also the first to offer the classic look gauge with white or gray background.

Like your dash Dan, it looks better from the passenger seat.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #11
89325iturbo Dusty A CT, USA	Posted: February 29, 2012 07:25PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 253

I was looking at ezwiring 12 circuit harness, and there dolphin gauge set. The dolphin gauges look very similar to the tpi gauges.
But what should I get electric or mechanical?

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #12
danmas Dan Masters Alcoa, Tennessee, USA 1974 MG MGB GT "Powered By Ford"	Posted: February 29, 2012 09:05PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 1,193

Dusty,

In your original post, you said you wanted a clean engine bay. With electrical gauges, you'll have a couple of wires to hide - with mechanical gauges, you'll have tubing to hide. Hiding electrical wiring is easier. Many consider mechanical gauges to be more accurate. I don't know if that's true or not, but the electrical gauges are accurate enough.

As for wiring, have you considered the kit from Advance Auto-wire?

http://www.advanceautowire.com/

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #13
danmas Dan Masters Alcoa, Tennessee, USA 1974 MG MGB GT "Powered By Ford"	Posted: February 29, 2012 09:11PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 1,193

In reply to # 1998771 by 1744 Like your dash Dan, it looks better from the passenger seat.

I'll have to admit, it does look pretty good from the passenger side, as I found out last week as Nico ripped around the foothills of the Smokies. Kinda nerve racking for an old grandpa, but he did very well. He does take after his grandpa in that he has a bit of a lead foot.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #14
rficalora Rob rficalora Cypress, TX, USA 1976 MG MGB V8 Conversion "MG MUTT"	Posted: February 29, 2012 09:57PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 1,678

Agree with Dan. With electric gauges all you need in the engine bay (for the gauges) are three wires. One for the temp sender, one for the oil pressure sender, and one for the tach. With mechanical you'll have capilary tubes for the temp and oil pressure (harder to route/hide). Fuel sender is electric either way as is tach. Speedo wire or mechanical cable doesn't need to go thru engine bay. Benefit of electric Speedo is most can be re-calibrated without changing Speedo drive gears if you change tire size or rear axle gears down the road.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #15
gow589 G W Evansville, Indiana, USA	Posted: March 01, 2012 07:42AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 6,993

I run VDO. My temp gauge (just behind steering wheel on right) has a real small switch on bottom of dash. Very subtle and not noticeable. The dash switches between coolant and oil temp sender. Nice to have both.

Behind the radio delete plate I put an O2 ad MP gauge. I set up the radio delete plate to be held on with super magnets. I really did not want to look at or see them all the time in the dash:

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #16
460Jag Ken Nicks Jonesville, NC, USA 1951 Jaguar Mark VII "Her Royal Hinney" 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 1971 Triumph TR6 1974 MG MGB GT V6 Conversion 1974 MG MGB GT V6 Conversion → more	Posted: March 01, 2012 09:46AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 171

Dusty, I bought an EZ Wire harness for my MGB-GT. The wiring is ok but the directions and wiring diagrams were terrible. IMHO - look elsewhere for a harness !!

Ken Nicks

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #17
1744 Bill Guzman California, USA 1973 MG MGB GT "Green GT" 1974 MG MGB "Punking"	Posted: March 01, 2012 10:08AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 4,818

Agree with you Ken, But...there is no need for instructions as the wires tells you were they go. Wires are level every 2"
Left head light, right turn signal, horn etc etc...

What I do not like about EZ wire is that they only use two relays. Need to add fuel pump, cooling fan, head lights etc. relays.

I like their 21 circuit kit, it has power windows, AC, fuel pump, electric choke, power door locks, power windows etc.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #18
460Jag Ken Nicks Jonesville, NC, USA 1951 Jaguar Mark VII "Her Royal Hinney" 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 1971 Triumph TR6 1974 MG MGB GT V6 Conversion 1974 MG MGB GT V6 Conversion → more	Posted: March 01, 2012 11:11AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 171

Bill, the whole problem was the wires weren't labeled.

Ken

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #19
danmas Dan Masters Alcoa, Tennessee, USA 1974 MG MGB GT "Powered By Ford"	Posted: March 01, 2012 12:26PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 1,193

Quote: Dusty, I bought an EZ Wire harness for my MGB-GT. The wiring is ok but the directions and wiring diagrams were terrible. IMHO - look elsewhere for a harness !!

Two of the benefits of the Advance Auto-Wire kits are the instructions and the diagrams - they are made specifically for the MGB, and the wiring is color coded per the MGB standard. You can download a copy of the instruction manual before buying to see if it's something you'd want.

Quote: What I do not like about EZ wire is that they only use two relays.

The AAW kits have 7 relays.

Disclaimer: Although I have no financial interest in the company, I was the founder so I'm a bit biased.

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Re: Aftermarket gauges #20
rficalora Rob rficalora Cypress, TX, USA 1976 MG MGB V8 Conversion "MG MUTT"	Posted: March 01, 2012 02:42PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 1,678

In reply to # 1999323 by 460Jag Bill, the whole problem was the wires weren't labeled.

Ken

Doesn't sound like the "EZ Wiring" harness Ken. I used them & like Bill noted, they're labeled every few inches. I needed a 21 circuit harness due to all the modifications (electric windows, mirrors, shaved door poppers, stereo, A/C, plans for heated seat pads & cruise, + a few other accessories) and didn't really have any problems. But:
* The wire coloring is GM, not MG so I pretty much had to draw my own wiring diagrams
* Doesn't come with any connectors. Took a while to find quality connectors
and they're not cheap - factor the cost & time in. I soldered; takes a lot of time.
* Like Bill mentioned, only 2 relays - horn & ?? can't remember the 2nd. I know I added several.
* quality of wiring is good; quality of Advance Autowire is better. My bet is same is true of the fuse panel
itself too.

If you just need a 12 circuit harness, I'd highly recommend Advance AutoWire. By the time you factor in the connectors & relays the cost differential isn't that much & it's a better quality harness with support that understands the car, connectors, etc.

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