Gauges, Digital or Analog?
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 639
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
Gauges, Digital or Analog?
Trying to figure out gauges to monitor what's going on, especially after I put in the DP Tuner. DP Tuner suggested Quadzilla or BD monitors when I asked about digital monitoring. I like the Quadzilla from the material I have read, maybe 
can help me with the experience pool out there.
I have done some looking at digital gauges, but nowhere on analog so I may need a little guidance here. From what I know, there are two types of analog gauges, electrical and mechanical (which for which, I'm not sure). That is, some get signals from a sensor pickup (like the digitals) and others use mechanical/pressure. My son's '77 F250 has mechanical oil pressure - no electrical at all. If I go with analog gauges, what one's to get and where to get them? Also considering both since there are features with monitors (diagnostic codes, etc.) that the analogs cannot do. If I do both, which would be most beneficial to have as analog?
'01 F350 Lariat, 7.3L PSD, Crew, DRW
Adding: MBRP 5", Wix Filter, DP Tuner, Gauges
'99 E150 Conversion Van, 4.6L V8
'95 E150 Conversion Van, 351 V8 (Needs new home)
'77 F250 Ranger, Built 460 V8 (Son's truck)
'55 Chevy 210 Project
can help me with the experience pool out there.I have done some looking at digital gauges, but nowhere on analog so I may need a little guidance here. From what I know, there are two types of analog gauges, electrical and mechanical (which for which, I'm not sure). That is, some get signals from a sensor pickup (like the digitals) and others use mechanical/pressure. My son's '77 F250 has mechanical oil pressure - no electrical at all. If I go with analog gauges, what one's to get and where to get them? Also considering both since there are features with monitors (diagnostic codes, etc.) that the analogs cannot do. If I do both, which would be most beneficial to have as analog?
'01 F350 Lariat, 7.3L PSD, Crew, DRW
Adding: MBRP 5", Wix Filter, DP Tuner, Gauges
'99 E150 Conversion Van, 4.6L V8
'95 E150 Conversion Van, 351 V8 (Needs new home)
'77 F250 Ranger, Built 460 V8 (Son's truck)
'55 Chevy 210 Project
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
If you get a digital system, the downside is usually boost is read from the MAP sensor. If your truck is mostly stock, it won't be as big of an issue, but if you get the DP, then you will need a boost fooler of some sort. The boost fooler will fool the MAP sensor and your digital guage. That is one big reason for some people disliking the digitals is that it is said to be hard to pick up what they are monitoring in a quick and easy way. Analog needles show you more at a quick glance. Some will argue that this isn't the case. I happen to agree with the analog argument. I think digitals are nice for features but in a quick reference in the cab, they lack a little bit of practicality.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: OAHU,KANEOHE HAWAII
I had both, quadzilla and edge.Now i have anolog gauges.The digital will not read boost correctly as stated by Hkusp.It read of the map and when it defuels at 22lbs thats all you will see and when you use a boost fooler your gauge will fluctuate up and down.Do a search on digital i had a write up with some fellow members.
Chris
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The big thing is that when you're into it trying to show that chebby or CTD who's boss, you can see where the needles are out of the corner of your eye (*IF* you have them on the A-pillar). The most important one by far when nailing it is the EGT gauge. That's why I have it mounted at eye level. The Boost gauge (second most critical) is just below it and the tranny temp is at the top. When I get my HPOP gauge, it will be on the bottom. That one is the hardest to see on the four-gauge pillar, and is more informational than critical like the EGT/Boost gauges. The tranny temp is of course critical too, but it's easy to glance at when towing and not critical when racing, unless you're racing while towing... 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
The big thing is that when you're into it trying to show that chebby or CTD who's boss, you can see where the needles are out of the corner of your eye (*IF* you have them on the A-pillar). The most important one by far when nailing it is the EGT gauge. That's why I have it mounted at eye level. The Boost gauge (second most critical) is just below it and the tranny temp is at the top. When I get my HPOP gauge, it will be on the bottom. That one is the hardest to see on the four-gauge pillar, and is more informational than critical like the EGT/Boost gauges. The tranny temp is of course critical too, but it's easy to glance at when towing and not critical when racing, unless you're racing while towing...
Yeah, but by no means can any relative exhaust temp hurt the engine for the 15 or less seconds you are going to be "pushing it". I don't care if my egt is 1500*+, if that's what it takes for me to blow by a chevy (not at my point in time with stock injectors!) then that's whats gonna happen. What kinda excuse is it when you pull up next to him at the next light and he's laughing his *** off because he beat you so bad, you just point to your EGT gauge and say "i had to let out because it hit 1300*"
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Oh I know, Kris. In fact, that just happened to me. On the way to lunch a couple weeks ago a gasser chevy blew by me, and I nailed it and kept up. By the time we were doing 120, my EGTs were 1500+, so I got off it, but so did he. We both ended up getting off at the same exit (at that point I was ahead of him), and he rolls down his window and says laughing "It's hard to keep up with the nitrous!", I was like, "Huh??", shaking my head... First, I was in front of him, and second he never lost me, so I guess it wasn't all that hard. I mean jeez, he had one hell of a rolling start as he blew by me, and he never lost me. Dork.
But the point is that I noticed where the EGT needle was without having to look down or take my eyes off the road (not too smart at 120 MPH!) and did get off it about the time he did. At that point, I would've got off it anyway -- that dumb chebby guy wasn't worth a putting a hole in a piston....
But the point is that I noticed where the EGT needle was without having to look down or take my eyes off the road (not too smart at 120 MPH!) and did get off it about the time he did. At that point, I would've got off it anyway -- that dumb chebby guy wasn't worth a putting a hole in a piston....
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 346
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yeah one time when i was at swamps i was talkin about gauges and they was like well we don't run them. i was kinda bumfuzzled so i asked why not and they said "gauges tell you when to let off, we know we aint lettin off 
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
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From: Middle Tennessee
Yeah, they know how to talk smack don't they? They are also full of it. Look inside their employee trucks.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC
With the BD Digital X-Monitor we get our boost form the boost line not the ECM, like mentioned above what good is boost if it is limited to 22PSI??
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
Digital , my opinion, would be great for everyday driving, not sure it would be crap for troubleshooting, or WOT for short distances. They dont respond quick enough normally. for example, your best DVMs come with a digitail anolog so you can catch abnormilities at a quick glance..
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: El Paso, Texas
I would go with the analog too. You were talking about mechanical gauges. I would not have a mechanical gauge in my truck because I don't want any fluid in the cab. The boost gauge is fine mechanical because it is just air in the lines.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, BC
I am a race guy and love my analog gauges, I have both Auto-meter analogs gauges mounted right on my dash in the center of my view (see picture) and our prototype digital XM3 on my pillar. I find myself looking at the digital XM3 more than the Auto-meters and using the digital memory for data-logging as well.