J30 owners whatta ya think

[Mayhem_J30]

I need a place to mount three 2and1/16" gauges. Two A/F ratios(one for each O2 sensor) and one Fuel pressure gauge. I was thinking about in the glove box since they won't be used that often but will be a necessity in the future. The glove box also gives an easier way to route and hide wires. I thought about the center console but it would probably be easier to look at the glove box then down into the console.

[VimyJ]

I believe that there is only one O2 sensor on the VG30DE. A while back there was some confusion about the number and Prof. Mike looked at the part sheets and discovered that there is just one. Only one is indicated in the service manual circuit diagram contrary to the description and illustration in the manual that mention two. Additionally, as you read on about various O2 sensor functions and descriptions, the manual only refers to one sensor. Therefore, you only need two guages. Would this change your imagined layout?

[Mayhem_J30]

I believe that there is only one O2 sensor on the VG30DE. A while back there was some confusion about the number and Prof. Mike looked at the part sheets and discovered that there is just one. Only one is indicated in the service manual circuit diagram contrary to the description and illustration in the manual that mention two. Additionally, as you read on about various O2 sensor functions and descriptions, the manual only refers to one sensor. Therefore, you only need two guages. Would this change your imagined layout?

i think that was the knock sensor that we were confused about. i can go check though. it would be better if there was an O2 sensor on both manifolds. if a gauge is only hooked up to the passenger side sensor and i start running lean on the drivers side i would never know it.heck, the I30 has 3 O2 sensors.

[VimyJ]

Yep, you're right. It was the knock sensor that we were talking about. There are two O2 sensors. D'uh!

[Eswift]

i mounted 3 such gauges in the clock/center AC panel on the dash. just get that piece from the junkyard and work on it. I unfortunately dont have any pictures (and car is in storage now), but it looks realy good, looks stock. You have to make the clock opening just a bit bigger. then use some filler to fill in the rectangular AC openings and use a hole saw to cut the openings for the gauges. lots of hand sanding and finishing, b ut i am really satisfied. the j30 has 2 O2 sensors. you could also use a switch for the input to the gauge, so you could switch between "channels" that would leave you an opening for another gauge, like AT temp.

[Eswift]

so what did you decide on mayhem?

[Mayhem_J30]

so what did you decide on mayhem?

after sitting inside the J for the first time in about 2 weeks and totally admiring the interior compared to the I30 I've decided to put them in the glove box. I don't want to change the way she looks inside, it's too perfect.

[Eswift]

i can respect that...good luck with the project!

[juiceman]

Hey the ashtray and cigarette lighter is useless, can you remove and put your gages there with some nice wood trim to match?

I think that would be cool

[Mayhem_J30]

Hey the ashtray and cigarette lighter is useless, can you remove and put your gages there with some nice wood trim to match?

I think that would be cool

That would be a good spot and the ashtray is useless. Don't know if it's big enough for all 3 gauges though. I"ll have to measure. Could probably put thw 2 O2's in there...hmmm. I'm still browsing with all the different mounting hardware that's available. Sucks doing this kind of shopping over the internet because you can't pick it up and get a real feel for what size something is..ya know?

Eswift, I thought about the switch for the two O2 sensors, but I want real time all the time. It's something that I"m gonna want to monitor both at the same time without delay. I like the electronic gauges for this because the Yellow, Green and Red easily catch your eye at just a glance and let you know what's up.

[juiceman]

do you need analog? My fatherinlaw has gotten some really nice digital gauges for his classic chevys. You would just need to search around the web to see what will work.

You are right, internet is great for research but final buys usually require some hand feel. Pretty soon we will all have a solid modeling machine attached to our computers so we can make a solid model of the device we are looking for to get that hands on feel.

Good luck!

[VimyJ]

What about running the wires to the ashtray area, get some kind of clip-in wire harness, mount the guages so that they are connected together with the recieving end of the harness and using the empty lighter socket to accept a plug that would be attached to your now portable gauge assembly. Now when you wanted to use your gauges you just get them out of the glove box, clip in the harness and mount the gauges via the "lighter mounting plug". This would enable you to keep the interior intact and when mounted the gauges would be easier to see than if they were in the glove box.

[Eswift]

theres no way youll get 3 2 and 1/16 gauges in the ashtray...you would be lucky if 2 fit. plus there is the whole problem with clearance as the assembly rotates. There was just barely enough room to fit in a pushbutton ignition in place of the cigarette lighter, and its just about the same depth as the lighter receptacle. Electronic LED gauges are definitley the way to go for air.fuel, i totally agree. So far i have transmission temperature and volts, i will either put in a switch operated air/fuel, but i am holding out for the boost/vac gauge...see if this forced induction ever pans out...

juiceman, do you have a stereolithography machine hooked up to your computer or what....? haha.(.i wish i did too.)