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oil pressure gauge

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:52 pm
by neon god
i just but my new oil prs guage but dont how to install it. i have a 2000 neon lx manual can any one help me. its an eqquix guage, i know i have to get some kinda T section to keep the stock sending unit. so has any one installed a mechanical guage i really need the help.

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:29 pm
by 03blackrt

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:57 pm
by dblsg

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:56 pm
by Knoxville_R/T
I mean it is only 5 post down. Come on now.

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:46 pm
by 03blackrt
Knoxville_R/T wrote:I mean it is only 5 post down. Come on now.
them other post were specific questions, not how-to's

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:01 pm
by Diablo0
He posted a new thread, he's looking to install a mechanical gauge, not electric.

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:04 pm
by BlackRoseRacing
Exactly, the mechanical install is royally different from the electrical but almost similar...

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:10 am
by neon god
ok so uve all said that it is simialer and different but how do u get it done .i bought a equuix guage if that helps i know that im hona have to use some kind of tjunction to keep the stock sending unit. im kinda lost.

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 4:00 am
by gski4life
I thought with a mechanical guage that would have oil running into the cabin to meter the gauge?........bad idea if you ask me, electrical is the way to go to me, but its a bitch getting the sender unit and the "T" screwed into the block

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:02 am
by 03blackrt
:scratch: incoherent post own me i guess :aargh:

i assumed it was electric sender, i didnt see the other threads saying it was mechanical sender.

to me mechanical gauge = moving pointer

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:59 pm
by Diablo0
mechanical gauge = pointer is being moved directly by the pressure of the oil, sorta like a good old fasion tire gauge that involves no electronics to relay the pressure reading back to the gauge.

Depending on what year your car is, 03+ you'll need to keep your stock sending unit as it will throw a code without it. 00-02 years you don't need it as it won't throw a code and only acts as a switch once the oil pressure gets below about 9psi or less... I forget, I just know it's extremely low haha.

Basically all you're doing is using a screwing in a 3/8 NPT to 1/8 NPT Adapter that you can buy at a hardware store, then screwing on their 1/8 NPT fitting that should be provided with the gauge, then run the tubing through the firewall making sure to protect the tubing at every area it passes through sheet metal with rubber grommets and keep the tubing loose throughout, not tight. Run it to your desiered location like the A-Pillar and connect to the gauge making sure that all your fittings are right inside the cabin and no oil can leak. Like I said in a previous post, it's usually not a good idea to put a mechanical gauge inside the cabin as you don't want to risk the chance of that line tearing or coming loose to possibly spray hot oil everywhere like on you or passengers. People typically mount mechanical gauges under the hood or somewhere on the cowl so they can see them from the drivers seat.

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:12 pm
by neon god
so your saying that since i have a 2000 i dont need the sending unit at all i can take it out and put it in my box o parts? and im not worried about the hot oil and stuff i had mechanicals in my other cars and nothing went wrong plus i think they are more acurate any way

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:18 pm
by gski4life
are there any other places to mount the oil pressure sender?.......I have a "T" in the block but with the oil pressure sender in it the oil feed line to my turbo is kinked against part of the block and I can't tighten it or rotate it any more because of the oil pressure sender.......any other place to put it?............like say the head?

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:42 am
by Diablo0
in the SOHC head no... DOHC heads have a port you can mount it but yah.... we dont' have a DOHC ;-)

For a 2000, you won't throw a code, your oil light wont' even come on. Go out and unplug the switch to make sure. The stock unit is only a switch, not a sender. Its no more than an on-off switch once it reaches a certian psi.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 12:30 pm
by kc2005ptgt
Instead of starting a new thread:

I want to clarify, there is no need to "T" off the stock sender? I can just remove old sender and replace it with my guages sending unit? No codes, and my light will not stay on? Plus I will not have any problems at all??

I bought an Autometer Phantom Oil PRessure Guage, it is electric.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 3:24 pm
by kc2005ptgt
Another question I thought of, does anyone know what size socket you use to remove the stock sending unit?? I have to buy a deep well socket, and I want to make sure I get the right size set. And what size of adapter do I need? 3/8"? 1/2"? I have what looks like 1/4" that came with the guage. Thanks again!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 6:03 am
by BlackRoseRacing
Socket size? I went to autozone, had them look up the sending unit, they pulled it off the shelf and then I said I needed a socket to fit that....
No sending unit needed? If you unplug the sending unit and remove it, the oil light will come on, the switch is designed to shut the light off at around 5-10psi of oil pressure...
T- fitting? Yes, goto home depot for the components since the threads are pipe thread. I grabbed a small 1inch iron pipe thread straight piece, then headed to there brass fitting isle, grabbed a T fitting and any other adapters I may need to finish the install...

Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 3:24 pm
by kc2005ptgt
Thank you BRR, that helped a lot. I did just like you said, asked the guy at Advanced Auto for the sender and told him I needed a socket to fit it. And for future reference, yes it IS a 1-1/16 inch deep well socket that fits it.

Also, you will need a 3/8" T-fitting, a 3/8" by 3/8" straight fitting (threaded on both ends), and a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter for the sending unit for future reference.

Also, removal of battery, tray and shifter cables is best for being able to reach the sender easily.

Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 8:48 pm
by 60trim
You know you could run a SS line to your firewall and connect a to there for easier access to it if you decide to go turbo, different Oil pressure gauge, ect.

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 12:34 am
by kc2005ptgt
60trim wrote:You know you could run a SS line to your firewall and connect a to there for easier access to it if you decide to go turbo, different Oil pressure gauge, ect.
I thought about that, and I could go back and do it some other time, but not right now :lol: Where would I get a SS line?? (I assume you mean stainless steel :lol:)

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:10 am
by 60trim
kc2002acr wrote:
60trim wrote:You know you could run a SS line to your firewall and connect a to there for easier access to it if you decide to go turbo, different Oil pressure gauge, ect.
I thought about that, and I could go back and do it some other time, but not right now :lol: Where would I get a SS line?? (I assume you mean stainless steel :lol:)
Yes, Stainless Steel oil feed line. You should be able to pick on up from your local racing shop. Check Jegs or Summit also. I ran it directly out of the block to a T that I mounted to the firewall, then split things from there. I got rid of my stock sensor. Have one going to the turbo and one going to my oil pressure gauge.

Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 12:13 pm
by kc2005ptgt
How did you mount it to the firewall, got any pics? This could help this topic even moreso when people start searching to install thiers :D