Which gauges to get for M42 Turbo?

[MrSlacker]

I am installing Jackb's turbo kit on my M42. Which gauges should I get? I know AEM and VDO makes good stuff, but I don't know if there is a difference.

So which 3 gauges should I get and why?


Thanks!

[ak-]

You're talking digital vs. needle here for the most part.
I use VDO because I like the interior of my car OEM looking.

Oil pressure, oil temp, vacuum/boost, & water temp because the stock one is useless.
I'd say pressure is the least important because you still have the idiot light on the cluster for anything <5psi (?).

[BMWManiac]

I agree with above:

MUST HAVE BOOST and AFR minimum! I recommend analog gauges (I have my AFR in my driver side vent) and get the boost gauge that replaces your econometer!

Then, water and oil temp so you really know when your motor is ready for boost!

[ak-]

I thought I noted AFR, but guess I didn't. He's right. Boost and AFR are probably the most important ones. My boost gauge has saved me twice from blowing my motor - Once from a torn wastegate diaphragm and the second time from my boost controller's vac line coming off.

[george graves]

[G FORCE]

On my turbo cars I would always have AFR, Boost & EGT all with peak/hold and or logging options.

[cleanasse30]

Yo, any more details on where i might find this?

[BMWManiac]

He makes them

[ccsdo5]

I would say the three tops for me are AFR, boost/vacuum, and oil pressure.

But it depends what you want to know. Eventually I am going to run AFR, boost, oil pressure, oil temperature, exhaust temperature, and coolant temperature just because I want to know what's going on with my engine since it'll probably be seeing lots of abuse on the track.

[CorvallisBMW]

Turbo-specific would be:

A/F ratio
Boost/vacuum

Also good ideas (since you're going to be putting more stress and demand on your engine) would be:

oil temp
oil pressure
water temp

The VDO 'Vision' series matches the OEM e30 gauges very well. As an example I'm using George Grave's A/F gauge, replacing the stock water temp gauge with boost, and adding the remaining three to a 3-gauge pod in the cubby space in front of the ash tray.