Where to hook up water temp gauge?

[onecrazyfoo4u]

I think my stock ones crapped out. I'm going to buy an autometer electric one. I know they come with a couple adapters, but what all do I need to hook it up? I've seen people do it in the stock coolant gauge sensor location, but they have to get a special adapter and drill it out...sounds like a pain. Is there something else I can get? I've heard of adapters you hook up inline with the radiator hose, where can I get one? Are they just as accurate at getting measurements? Let me know, thanks!

[GTS4-R]

Blitz cooling performer upper radiator hose with bung.....big bucks but has cool factor.....I use it on my car.....The factory location has 2 sensors....one big for the ecu and one small for the cluster....the sesnor u get will screw into the big ecu one but u dont wanna do that///i made that mistake and the car wouldednt start when hot.....heres a look at the blitz hose on my setup......





You can buy it here......http://phase2motorsports.store....html

[onecrazyfoo4u]

That is a pretty cool idea, but damn....over a hundred bucks for a hose. I was hoping to find something cheaper. Like these inline hookups, that you put in the radiator hose. Where did people get these? And do the threads match with an autometer sensor hookup?

And what's the normal operating temps for a redtop sr20? Just kind of curious what range I need on the gauge, like do I need anything above 240 deg. F.? Thanks.

[sr20-thoj]

that is a cool idea..

[GTS4-R]

plus the top hose is the best place to get an accurate temp reading.....its when the coolant in hottest just b4 entering the radiator....the stock ones are mounted by the pump just after the coolant has gone thru the radiator and is returning to the block cooled......

[ser2102]

phase 2 also sells those pieces where you cut the hose and insert it it there and then put your own probe in. i just picked one up. its very nice although its not on their website yet. if you call them, you can order it.

[doridori23]

That is a pretty cool idea, but damn....over a hundred bucks for a hose. I was hoping to find something cheaper. Like these inline hookups, that you put in the radiator hose. Where did people get these? And do the threads match with an autometer sensor hookup?

And what's the normal operating temps for a redtop sr20? Just kind of curious what range I need on the gauge, like do I need anything above 240 deg. F.? Thanks.

You do not need a gauge above 240 deg. Depending on the mixture the coolant would be boiling greater than that. If you plan on a lot of track use you need to recognise also that most tracks (especially drag) will NOT allow you to use coolant in the system. They run on all water and any type of "water wetter" ( I prefer Redline and Royal purple) and use the lower temp thermostats. They do not allow the use of coolant because the Ethylene glycol in coolant is very hard to clean off the track (it does not evaporate) and is very slippery.

As far as the threads matching up on an insert piece. All are 3/8 NPT (National Pipe Thread). If you find one that is different let me know because it will be a first.

[CoupedUp]

You can get the "hose insert" thing from Pahse2 for 20 bucks its under the "Circuit Sports Water Temp." Gauge. Also you can get it from SPLparts.com.

It doesnt matter whether you read the coolant temperature from the return or the feed hose. I would think monitoring the feed temperature would be better. I dont think Nissan would do something, not to mention practically every car mfg. if it wasnt reliable or informative.

I want to know my radiator is doing its job, if not then for all you know you could be cycling 200-220 Degree water all the time rather than knowing that your radiator is working well.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Which hose is the feed hose and which one is the return hose? I'm guessing the feed hose is the right one, that comes from the block, and the return hose is the left one, going to the thermostat? Is that correct?

So running at a constant 200-220 deg. F. would be a bad thing, or is that pretty much normal operating temps? Thanks for the help finding an adapter to hook up to, helps alot!

[onecrazyfoo4u]

So, I'm trying to order that sensor adapter, but what kind of threads is it? Will it match up perfectly with the autometer gauge sensor, or will I need an adapter?

And what size of hosing do I need to get? There's tons of different choices, anybody know what size the stock ka and sr20 radiators run? Thanks again guys.

[CoupedUp]

The Hoses are 34mm.

The top(Right) is the return the Bottom(Return) is the feed.

Ummm, with it being an American Gauge, id imagine the thread pitches MIGHT be different i dont know. : /.

[otterman]

Why dont you just tap the little metal arm that comes off the block and connects to the hose on the return side?

[doridori23]

You really are one crazy foo. The answer lies a few posts up. As far as it being USA, Japan, Mexico, or Zimbabwe the threads will match up (NPT is actually an international standard thread). The only time you might have a problem is in a few weirdo brit cars instead of being 1/8" 28tpi (threads per inch) the British standard is 1/8" 27tpi. The diff is so small no one notices and its usually only grease fittings so who cares.

[Geno750]

The Hoses are 34mm.

The top(Right) is the return the Bottom(Return) is the feed.

Ummm, with it being an American Gauge, id imagine the thread pitches MIGHT be different i dont know. : /.

Bleh, I ordered the 36mm stri adapter, now I am going to have a fun time getting the hoses to fit.

Btw, the autometer temp probe threads right into the srti adapter with no problems.

If your having trouble finding a vendor with the gauge get on aim and message askme4parts and tell him you want the 34mm stri water temp adapter, I know he has them. If you tell him elitecrewman refered you he may give you a better price on the shipping.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Alright, so I just ordered the 34mm inline hose adapter. My last question is where the best spot to mount it is? Some people say on the upper hose, like the blitz hose above....and others say close to the thermostat or on the bottom hose. Anybody have any experience as to which one gives the most accurate readings?

Thanks alot for all the help everyone!

[corey240]

couldnt you just wire the stock sensor to the aftermarket gauge? btw iv never heard of a track not letting people run because they are using coolant

[doridori23]

Corey look up some of the rules on coolant use at USCA, NHRA, etc. It is most a drag track rule ( I hinted but did not state this directly) but more and more tracks are going to it. Mom and pop drag stations might never get to that point due to people running street cars that might actually need the eth-glycol. For more info see the IDRA, NHRA, or which ever sanctioning body applied to you on oildown rules and how they apply to coolant.

As turbosilvia/Jon stated the upper hose is the best place to tell how hot the coolant is coming out of the motor. OE do not care about this and they mount the temp sensors on the water intake (lower hose or close to it). They do this to make sure that the water going into the block is <180. So the answer to your question depends on what water you want to keep an eye on. If you want to see the water temp coming out of the motor use the upper plenum or an insert if you simply want to see the temp of the water circulating in the block use the stock or close location (lower tube).

Personally i would mount in the upper pipe to keep an eye on the motors performance and use the stocker to monitor the radiator/thermostat's functionality.