Electric vs mechanical gauges

[bruteforcehighspeed]

Looking at buying Aurometer gauges.

Can someone explain to me the difference between electric and mechanical gauges?

Which one is better?

I have a 1981 Trans Am, is it safe to assume that I currently have mechanical gauges all around?

Thx!

Alain

[mmosley]

No, you probably have all electric except the speedo. Mechanical gauges measure directly, electric gauges use a sender. For example, mechanical oil pressure gauge will have a tube running from the engine to the back of the gauge. Most of your "old school" race gauges were mechanical. For fuel pressure you use an isolator so pressurized fuel is not in the passenger compartment. Really good mechanical gauges used to be liquid filled to dampen vibrations. I would imagine electric gauges can be just as accurate these days. Electric speedometers more so.

[bruteforcehighspeed]

Wow. Good to know! I was looking at buying mechanical for everything. Anyone else has input?

[igasem]

I grew up old school with mechanicals in my gen 1 camaro and having been away from wrenching for 35 years I'm having a hard time warming up to the idea of electric gages. My new joy in life is being able to work on my own car, I have a couple of new computer cars that drive me crazy when the "check engine light" comes on or worse, they start running rough and I can't begin to figure it out. That being said, I think the electric/electronic gauges are the way I'm headed.

[Bonehead]

I avoid mechanical as much as I can. There's something not fun about having an oil line running into the dash and have it decide to start leaking at 7500 rpm. :( Never had any issues with electrical gauges, other than they are generally a little more money. The only mechanical one I still run is boost.

[Thephranc]

I like mech gauges personally but elec have one great advantage and that is placement. Temp for example, mech use a large probe while elec use a tiny sender so its easier to get them into some places. Another advantage is not having go worry about kinking capillary tubes.

[Aficionado]

I'm replacing the mechanical oil pressure gauge on my car with electric; having broken the little plastic tube (fortunately in the engine compartment and not under the dash), I don't have a lot of confidence in them.

[Jetfixr320]

They sell a copper and braided line to use with the mechanical oil pressure gauge. Less chance of kinking the the Teflon line.

[Twentyover]

Race Car- Mechanical. Easier to read a 270 degree sweep
Street car- Electric- easier to run a wire than a tube

[mmosley]

Race Car- Mechanical. Easier to read a 270 degree sweep
Street car- Electric- easier to run a wire than a tube

Some of the new stepper motor electric gauges look just like the mechanicals!

[Nothingface5384]

I got electric gauges for everything, except i opted for a mechanical speedo

[bergers59]

It depends on what you're reading, I like mechanical for engine temp because you know its going to be dead on. However wires are always easier to run.

[sheck44]

Alain, FYI ... few gauge companies including Autometer now offering GPS speedo gauges, eliminates any hardwiring to your tranny.

[alocker]

I have always gone with what meets my needs and budget. The new full sweep electrics are nice but the oil pressure sender size and price are not. I went with electric water temp and volts, mechanical oil pressure for easy of installation and lower cost.

[bruteforcehighspeed]

Did anyone try the GPS speedometer unit for Autometer?

[minendrews68]

I just put all electronic AutoMeter gauges in my '68, except for the speedo which is mechanical. Wouldn't think twice about it. I too have had oil lines rupture under pressure.

[vintageracer]

The OEM's have not used mechanical gauges for over 40 years with lone exception being a speedometer and the OEM's quite that in the early 90's.

I'd say it's safe to say the electric gauge is a proven commodity!

[TheJDMan]

Did anyone try the GPS speedometer unit for Autometer?

I'm running the Autometer GPS speedo sender. It is extremely accurate and works with any electronic speedo. The GPS unit simply takes the place of the electronic sender on the transmission. The antenna, which is just slightly larger than a postage stamp, mounts on the dash via a magnet. The real advantage is that it works independent of the drive train which means I can change rear end gears and it has no effect on the speedo. The only downside I have encountered so far is that it sometimes takes a few minutes to acquire the satellites when you first start the car and start driving which means you have no reading until it does. It also seems that if you start up and pull out on to a hiway like pulling out of a gas station and start moving at hiway speeds quickly it takes the GPS a bit longer to acquire the satellites. Overall, I have been totally pleased with the system.

[Nothingface5384]

Regarding the GPS speedo, and sorry if this question sounds stupid...

But does it have the same issues as a GPS navi unit..where it sometimes takes a long time upon first powerup to estabilish satellite?
and will you loose GPS signal say when you go through downtown or tunnels like a GPS Nav unit?

edit answer is above me ..