Where's the best place to mount gauges? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Full Monte · #1 01-26-2007, 11:09 AM

I'm looking at gage mount locations for the 87 300D, W124 body. Does anyone know if those gage pods work on top of the dash right over the center air vents? Do they fit, or look funny? Is it tough to run wires under the dash in that area? Thanks!

Brewer · #2 01-26-2007, 11:15 AM

I've seen pictures of that, and personally I don't care for it.

I replaced the ash tray to mount mine. If you do it with a piece of matching wood, it looks very nice. Mine is just a piece of plastic for now.

Jeremy5848 · #3 01-26-2007, 12:20 PM

If you replace the ashtray, remember that behind the ashtray is the airbag sensor. Careful drilling holes!

rwthomas1 · #4 01-26-2007, 02:07 PM

I company called Dynotune makes digital EGT and boost gauges the size of key fobs. Much easier to mount. RT

http://www.turbobits.co.uk/acatalog/digital_exhaust_gas_temperature_egt_gauge.html

lutzTD · #5 01-26-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

I company called Dynotune makes digital EGT and boost gauges the size of key fobs. Much easier to mount. RT

http://www.turbobits.co.uk/acatalog/digital_exhaust_gas_temperature_egt_gauge.html

i was excited about these until a saw the price 255USD each..... ouch

lutzTD · #6 01-26-2007, 06:53 PM

i like this one, it has a Mercedes feel about it and it allows a oil temp gage in the ashtray

Westach 2” dual combination gauge model # 2DC2-30SS

Jeremy5848 · #7 01-26-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

i like this one, it has a Mercedes feel about it and it allows a oil temp gage in the ashtray

Westach 2” dual combination gauge model # 2DC2-30SS

I looked at this one. It has numerous advantages -- "saves" a hole, locally [for me] made, etc. The range of the boost is too high, unfortunately, so you'll be using only the bottom third of the range. In the end, I decided that separate gauges would be easier on my aging eyes.

winmutt · #8 01-26-2007, 10:25 PM

just get a gasser gauge with a "fuel economy gauge and turn into a vacuum gauge isntead of a pressure gauge.

Mister Byrnzoil · #9 01-26-2007, 10:35 PM

a piller? I think it could be done tastefully.

babymog · #10 01-27-2007, 12:35 PM

Just an aside, I was lamenting the lack of boost, EGT, and oil temp gauges in my 190Dt and remembered that the audi 90 had a 3-gauge panel in the center console, zebrano-wood. I bought a used one thinking I would fit it into the center console of the 190, might be something you can use in the 124 console. I'll carry it out today to see if it's viable in the 124.

BTW the gauges in the audi are not boost & EGT, I believe it was voltage, oil pressure, and ???.

Shorebilly · #11 01-28-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I looked at this one. It has numerous advantages -- "saves" a hole, locally [for me] made, etc. The range of the boost is too high, unfortunately, so you'll be using only the bottom third of the range. In the end, I decided that separate gauges would be easier on my aging eyes.

Choose a pressure gage that has 2x the normal operating pressure....

The way mechanical pressure gages are constructed, overpressure will damage them......and a continuous operation at the upper end of the range will also be detrimental to its internals, over time....

It is best to have any pressure gage operating in it's midrange, and this gage from Westach appears well designed......I like it.......!!!

SB

Shorebilly · #12 01-28-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

i like this one, it has a Mercedes feel about it and it allows a oil temp gage in the ashtray

Westach 2” dual combination gauge model # 2DC2-30SS

www.westach.com/

Thanx for posting that gage.....looked so good, that I had to see more.....those folks have a wide variety of interesting gages for all sorts of applications......

I like the "retro" aircraft look of their products....seem to fit right in with the MB instruments......they don't have any metric gages tho.....darn, I would prefer to keep my Benz metric....if I can.....

SB

Jeremy5848 · #13 01-28-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorebilly

The way mechanical pressure gages are constructed, overpressure will damage them......and a continuous operation at the upper end of the range will also be detrimental to its internals, over time....
SB

At freeway speeds, my '85 boost (and I would presume most Benzes are similar) runs at 5 or 6 psi. The most I see is about 11, before the wastegate opens. So a 15 psi gauge works well for me and it also meets your correctly assessed safety/reliability concerns, since I'll never be operating at the upper end on a continuous basis. A 30 psi gauge is overkill (like a 150 MPH speedo) and leaves you with too little resolution. Additionally, mechanical gauges tend to be more responsive and more accurate in the middle of the range. At 5 psi, you're barely off the peg of a 30 psi gauge.

This is not to criticize the Westach gauge, which is otherwise nice. I just prefer something else (which also happens to be VDO, matching the factory gauges).

Shorebilly · #14 01-29-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

This is not to criticize the Westach gauge, which is otherwise nice. I just prefer something else (which also happens to be VDO, matching the factory gauges).

Are these the VDO's that you refer to.....