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MG MGF Technical - Oil Pressure Gauge

I'm looking for an Oil Pressure Gauge for my TF to go in the place of the Clock, My radio has a digital clock that is updated automatically. Obviously it will need to 'match' the Oil temp gauge and the rest of the dashboard. Any pointers? Ta.
Rosie

This is where I'd start

http://www.speedycables.co.uk/

but I don't know anyone who has done this.
Will Munns

I've seen Oil Pressure Gauges on K engined Caterhams - but I don't know if the gauge was driven directly (by oil pressure), or indirectly via a sensor.

In the TF, it really has to be indirectly, so you need to match a sensor and gauge, and then add the wires from sensor to gauge, including a feed from an ignition-on circuit.
Getting the gauge to match other bits is simple. You might even be able to use an oil temperature guage if you can find the right sensor - it would then just need diferent markings.

A voltmeter would be the easiest instrument to add.

ps - I'm not convinced you'd see anything useful on an oil pressure gauge with a K series engine - but then that would fit in with the rest of the instrumentation on the (T)F !
Steve

I have a pressure gauge, it's mechanical, 80 when cold, 60 when driving and warm, 40 when idleing and hot.

It only tells you when things have gone quite wrong (but not quite so wrong as the pressure light!)
Will Munns

>>I have a pressure gauge, it's mechanical, 80 when cold, 60 when driving and warm, 40 when idleing and hot.<<

On the midget ?
I'd worry about the oil pressure sensing pipe from the TF's engine bay to the instrument console !
Steve

Yep, but it is a k-series.

There is no reason that a pressure pipe cannot run that distance - the brakes work don't they!
Only extra issue is the possible chaffing and cutting thru causing hot oil to be squirted everywhere - but this is a QI issue.

A electronic version may well be 'better' because of the availability of sendors/gauges - but I would expect them to be much more expensive. (dual water temp and pressure gauge = £60)

The real problem is going to be finding a gauge that matches physiclly and asethicly (Dyslexic - I must avoid using difficult words)
Will Munns

>>The real problem is going to be finding a gauge that matches physiclly and asethicly<<
That's why I wondered about using the oil temp gauge - getting a different legend would be easy, and if an exact matching sensor can't be found, then use some electronics to match sensor to gauge.

If using an oil pipe from front to rear, then I guess you'd need a flexible pipe from the engine to a rigid pipe that ran to the console, and then another flexible pipe to the instrument ?
Steve

Rosie, use a stainless braided hose run from the oil filter housing with an adapter, this can be run down the tunnel with the gear cable and up to the gauge. If you cannot get a face to match get the temp gauge altered to suit, there are companies around that will screen print these for a quite reasonable price.Try Demon Tweaks or Rally Design etc.
Gerry Hiorns has this fitted to his car so should be able to comment later(when he has finished putting a new compressor in his fridge)
HTH
mike

fridge fine so back to gauges..

i use an electric gauge . at the filter you fit a t- pieCe ( one to keep the orig light and the second to fit the sendor switch)

the electric unit in my opion is best as the copper pipe can get damaged.

my system is as follows.
take of at filter via braided hose up to the under side of the engine cover to a 3 way manifold made from short couplings this gives me positions for 1. the low mgr oil pres light switch 2. a 25 lbs track warning liht switch 3. a sender for the oil pres gauge. all the parts you need can be got from merlin motorsport.

hope this helps

no mike i am really busy, never slept a wink just kept hearing the banshee ivtec screeaming in my ear. then discovered it was just "R"
gerry

The instrument size is, I think, pretty standard - so no problem there. The problem, as Mike correctly alludes to, is matching any aftermarket gauge to the instruments already in the car. Getting a specialist to screen print a replacement face for your aftermarket gauge is going to be your best bet.

The Demon Tweeks catalogue have some very nice digital dual/combined instruments available with red/orange illumination - but they are sadly rather expensive. :o(
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 26/10/2004 and 27/10/2004

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