I've seen the msrp posted on the guage pack, has anyone seen the invoice on it?
The dealer said that two different guage packs are available, the second has a vacuum guage instead of a turbo boost guage.
I know, the jdm and sti guages are superior in every way to these us market cheapo's. I do not want to be hacking in any custom guages, so I'm probably stuck with the us versions.
The thought of driving a turbo car without a boost guage is really bothering me, I want a guage right away, not in a couple of months.
The lack of this guage is the ONLY thing I don't like about the wrx. Other than that, I think Subaru is doing just fine.

The pack with vacuum is for the RS/TS/OBS, not the WRX.

The gauge pack is ugly as sin and chintzy looking. Wait for a better one to appear.

Glenn

That looks sweet, but it also looks like a lot of install work.

Who makes that guage pack?? Does it come with guages (or can you order without)??

I think that is a Subaru part. Sti? or Sti genome? I believe it holds oil pressure, boost, and oil temp.

That's the JDM version, much better looking then the US one.

I heard that it costs $1200US unfortunately.

You may wanna check into this one:

<IMG SRC="http://www.nippon-seiki.co.jp/defi/product/TriplePad/images/3pad2.jpg" border=0>

Lovejoy

This is a minor business opportunity for somebody with experience forming fiberglass or plastic. Just form a decent looking gauge pod that accepts off-the-rack Autometer gauges, and the WRX world will beat a path to your door.

If someone could make a housing like that for under $500, they'd never be able to make enough to supply the demand. The silver trim on the gauges is sweet too, it matches the dash trim.

My advice for people who want functional gauges without the factory price: Get the factory gauge pod housing (~$50) and an HK$ DIN plate gauge mount (~$25).

This will hold 3 46mm gauges and there's no fab required. The one downside is that 46mm is the odd-size of the gauge family, but I've seen that some people have been able to bore the 46mm holes out to 52mm which will allow a much wider selection of gauges. Of course this requires that you be able to use a Dremel tool or a drill press or a mill... or just a file....

good idea herbie...

i hate electric guages anyway... if im going to do some guages, im going to use autometer ultralites. boost, mechanical oil pressure and mechanical water temp. electric guages suck... wont use them http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

peace

I'd stay away from mechanical pressure guagues, you dont want the fitting to come loose and spray hot engine oil do you?

<FONT COLOR="Blue">Text</FONT c>What is a good source for the HKS 43mm guages and adapter? Anyone?

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif

I don`t know if you guys have seen this:
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum2/HTML/004313.html

Ginseng setup this group buy. I purchased three guages and the hood. The company seems really friendly and helpful. I think Ginseng was looking into starting another group buy sometime in the future. Might want to track him down if your interested.

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Bill

I bought from Ginsing as well. You can get the hood only for (i think) $150. I got the whole unit for just over the price of the stock one. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Oh, and there is nothing wrong with electronic gauges. I work on HVAC units and use electronic and mechanical gauges every day. The only ones that need to be adjusted are the mechanical gauges. My electronic meters and pressure gauge never give me a false reading. (unless they get wet or something)

I know someone will say well the "oil hoses in my 89 talon never leaked." But what if you get in an accident and the hoses come apart? Oil will be everywhere and you will have to buy a new carpet.

Well, I thought that there would be a second wave of interest on this hood and the Defi gauges. The hood is around $120 and comes primed, unpainted. The gauges are top notch and very sharp looking, about $145-180 plus control unit. These are electronic gauges. For anyone interested, I'll be showing a full gauge package, WRX and Impreza MY01 and older hoods and the Boost/Turbo Timer Heads Up Display at the upcoming NESIC meet.

The last group buy had 27 participants, buying hoods, 11 sets of gauges and 2 Boost/TT VSD units. And BTW, Defi is absolutely great to work with. You get all the necessary hardware and fittings so you're ready to go. Those who buy gauges get Defi T-shirts and those who buy hoods get stickers and any leftover brochures or t-shirts.

Wilkey

I don't know much about guages and am interested to know which one of the two ,electrical or mechanical, are easier to install on the WRX? Can someone be nice and explain how they work. I appreciate it. I want to put a boost guage on my WRX. If I should ask this in the technical section sorry.
Thanks
Bob


[This message has been edited by Scooby do (edited March 24, 2001).]

Scooby Do,

Both types of gauges operate on the same principles. A sensor reads what you want to measure and a display shows you graphically what the value is.

Mechanical gauges have the sensor in the gauge itself. You bring the line (vacuum, oil, etc.) to the gauge and it reads and displays all in one package. Electronic gauges also have a sensor, but you usually mount these closer to the property being measured. For example, the sensor could be mounted in the engine bay with a vacuum line to the manifold for boost. The sensor is then connected via an electrical lead to the gauge body in the passenger cabin.

Mechanical gauges normally are pretty basic in function. They show the value of the measured property, be it boost, oil pressure or oil temperature. Electronic gauges can do peak hold, replay a time sequence or other fancy stuff.

Electronic gauges are more expensive. For example $220 vs $80 for some styles of boost gauges.

My taste would be to install electronic gauges. Simpler stuff to thread through the firewall, I like the look and functionality. Hope this helps. BTW, the issue of mechanical vs. electronic can sometimes be fairly polarized with strong advocates of either. My advice is 1) get what looks good to you, 2) get the funtions you need and 3) get what you can afford...not necessarily in that order.

So,
Ginseng, when's the next GB on the hood and gauges?http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

Thanks,

Matt

Ginseng thanks for the explaination that was the info I needed.
Bob

Ginsing,

Count me in, when is the next group buy! You say the hood is $120 and the gauges $145-$180. Is that each? So the total for the hood and three gauges is about $570? Plus control unit? How much does that run, 3 control units?

Yeah, I need to get that pod & some gauges. Is there anything available to replace the ciggie lighter & asstray (hehehe) with a couple of smaller gauges? I'm thinking boost, fuel pressure and EGT up top, with oil temp and volts/amps down low (there's the idiot light for oil pressure). That oughta clue me in to what just broke, eh? Is there any place to get just the pod without waiting for a group buy?

-Doug

Edit: Speling http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by dch (edited March 24, 2001).]

I was looking for something like this for my WRX. That clock space is just SCREAMING for some real gauges. And I see my brothers turbod RS with 3 beautiful gauges there, and I am jealous.

Well Ginseng? If I could get this pod and 3 good electronic gauges for ~$570, that is pretty sweet!

Kevin
www.forcefed4.com (http://www.forcefed4.com)

FYI on gauges...

Mechanical-
Plus- 270 degree needle sweep which makes the gauges easier to read (Major Plus!). Gauge reads with the ignition off. Less expensive.

Minus- The hose could leak. ie Oil could get into the car.


Electrical-

Plus- Oil can't get into the car.

Minus- 90 degree needle sweep (hard to read fast), expensive, ignition needs to be on. Autometer has come out with a few 270deg needle sweep electrical gauges.

Sense I work on aircraft instruments every day I want _full_ instrumentation for my Rex. This is what I'm going to do...

Boost- Included in the Blitz Dual turbo timer with peak hold (Peak hold is a must have IMHO)

Oil pressure- Autometer (Part# 4453) Ultra-lite 0-100psi "full-sweep" (aka 270 degree sweep) electric gauge

Oil temp- Autometer (4458) Ultra-lite 100-280F full-sweep electric gauge

Intake temp- Autometer (4372) Ultra-lite 30-300F full-sweep electric

The oil temp and intake temp are going on the A pillar. The oil pressure in a gauge pod at the base of the A pillar.

Todd

hi guys,

just pre-ordered the gauge pack with my wrx. i have no idea and maybe you guys might know, whether its mechanical or electrical. although a nice looking one would have been great, i just wanted something that i didnt have to rip open the dash to do myself. pretty novice when it comes to anything cars.
if its too late to cancel my gauge pack order with my wrx, what options do i have to make it look better? can you buy indiglo face or something?

john