DIY: Oil Pressure Gauge

spearfish25 · 04-03-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zat_Zuma

Those 4 screws are not reachable from the center console as the hvac piping is in the way and it's not reachable from below or on the side of the center console (had the entire stereo, cubby, glove box, etc apart) either as once again, the hvac piping is in the way ........ plus if you disconnect the voltage meter from the triple gauge assembly, you get a check engine light. Oh yes, before I forget, if you still want to try, remove the seats and center console to give you more room to work.

Hmmph. I've had it off plenty of times but never tried to reach the screws. Thanks for the input. If I replaced the voltage gauge, I'd actually cut a hole in the back of my cubby and mount the voltage gauge flush in the cubby. That way I'd still be able to check battery voltage if need be (and no CEL). But the more I think about removing the dash, the more satisfied I am with my gauge mounted where it is.

Zat_Zuma · 04-03-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Hmmph. I've had it off plenty of times but never tried to reach the screws. Thanks for the input. If I replaced the voltage gauge, I'd actually cut a hole in the back of my cubby and mount the voltage gauge flush in the cubby. That way I'd still be able to check battery voltage if need be (and no CEL). But the more I think about removing the dash, the more satisfied I am with my gauge mounted where it is.

lol .... I'll save you some frustration. Be happy where it is and leave the triple gauges alone.

Red__Zed · 04-03-2011, 08:10 PM

good write up

Liquid_G · 04-14-2011, 01:59 PM

Guys.. anyone know exactly what size socket would be needed to get around the oem oil pressure sensor? I'm pretty sure you'd need a 27mm deep-well socket but can't say for sure.

Trying to install my HKS sensor and because the oil filter relocation lines for the GTM SC kit go right under the sensor, my only option is getting a socket on it. (Other than disconnecting the lines obviously) Need to go buy one that big so thought I'd ask..

btw thanks for posting this up Alex.

spearfish25 · 04-14-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid_G

Guys.. anyone know exactly what size socket would be needed to get around the oem oil pressure sensor? I'm pretty sure you'd need a 27mm deep-well socket but can't say for sure.

Trying to install my HKS sensor and because the oil filter relocation lines for the GTM SC kit go right under the sensor, my only option is getting a socket on it. (Other than disconnecting the lines obviously) Need to go buy one that big so thought I'd ask..

btw thanks for posting this up Alex.

My pleasure.

27mm it is.

Liquid_G · 04-14-2011, 02:12 PM

Awesome. thank you sir.

spearfish25 · 04-14-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid_G

Awesome. thank you sir.

Jordo! · 04-14-2011, 07:25 PM

Nice vid

So where are oil pressures at about 140-150 F?

spearfish25 · 04-15-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

So where are oil pressures at about 140-150 F?

Still too high for any sporty driving. At 140-150F, 2k rpm still runs 90psi and idle is about 30psi. It's not until temps reach 180F that the 2-3k rpm range settles down. I think the ideal temp is 200F. At this temp, highway driving of 2-3k rpm has PSIs ranging from 50-70 and idle is 15psi.

Jordo! · 04-15-2011, 03:34 PM

Great info -- and yes, definitely consistent with what I have always read were optimal oil temps for spirited driving -- great write up

spearfish25 · 06-17-2011, 08:02 AM

A word to the wise...

I used teflon tape on the pressure sensor fittings during my initial install. Going back to check things this past week, all the pressure sensor fittings were loose! It turns out that teflon tape deteriorates a bit with time. This led to tight fittings becoming loose when the bulk of the tape disappeared. So, I'd suggest some RTV on the threads instead of teflon tape. Then you can tighten them down and rest assured they're secure.

wstar · 06-17-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I think the ideal would be to run a dual output sender that could feed both signals at the same time. I found one but I have to figure out what gauges it would be compatible with.

Chris - did you ever find out about compatible gauges, or for sure that the dummy-sensor side of the one you found would be compat with our car? What's the one you found?

Alex - any concerns about the swaybar hitting your adapter setup, or is it high enough above it to be out of range? It looks high enough in the pics, just making sure. I guess the alternative would be to use a 90 degree adapter right off the bat, towards the oil filter.

spearfish25 · 06-17-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Alex - any concerns about the swaybar hitting your adapter setup, or is it high enough above it to be out of range? It looks high enough in the pics, just making sure. I guess the alternative would be to use a 90 degree adapter right off the bat, towards the oil filter.

No worries at all. That portion of the sway bar is as close to the fittings as it'll ever get. The front wheels are unloaded (car on jack stands), so the bar has already pivoted upwards as far as it can go. Once on the ground, there is even more clearance.

ChrisSlicks · 06-17-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Chris - did you ever find out about compatible gauges, or for sure that the dummy-sensor side of the one you found would be compat with our car? What's the one you found?

VDO 360023 is a 150 psi sender with a 7.0 psi idiot light output M10 thread.
VDO 360025 is a 150 psi sender with 11.4 psi idiot light output and 1/8 NPT thread.

The sender feed is designed for the VDO gauge, couldn't figure out what else it might be compatible with.

Jegs seems to have the best prices on the VDO stuff, here is their listing.
VDO Pressure Senders - JEGS

cotizi · 06-19-2011, 03:18 PM

this is a great DIY. I'm ordering everything you did because i like yours so much. Planning on doing the Oil Cooler install at the same time. Does the gauge come with that pod you have shown attached to your dash or no?

04-14-2011, 01:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 45	Guys.. anyone know exactly what size socket would be needed to get around the oem oil pressure sensor? I'm pretty sure you'd need a 27mm deep-well socket but can't say for sure. Trying to install my HKS sensor and because the oil filter relocation lines for the GTM SC kit go right under the sensor, my only option is getting a socket on it. (Other than disconnecting the lines obviously) Need to go buy one that big so thought I'd ask.. btw thanks for posting this up Alex. __________________

04-14-2011, 02:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 45	Awesome. thank you sir. __________________

04-14-2011, 07:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 420	Nice vid So where are oil pressures at about 140-150 F? __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

04-15-2011, 03:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 420	Great info -- and yes, definitely consistent with what I have always read were optimal oil temps for spirited driving -- great write up __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

06-17-2011, 08:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	A word to the wise... I used teflon tape on the pressure sensor fittings during my initial install. Going back to check things this past week, all the pressure sensor fittings were loose! It turns out that teflon tape deteriorates a bit with time. This led to tight fittings becoming loose when the bulk of the tape disappeared. So, I'd suggest some RTV on the threads instead of teflon tape. Then you can tighten them down and rest assured they're secure. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

04-03-2011, 08:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 121	good write up

06-19-2011, 03:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
cotizi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 391 Drives: 2012 VW GTI 6MT Rep Power: 219	this is a great DIY. I'm ordering everything you did because i like yours so much. Planning on doing the Oil Cooler install at the same time. Does the gauge come with that pod you have shown attached to your dash or no? __________________ Past - 2009 Silver 6MT Sport 370Z Current - 2012 VW GTI 6-Speed

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