120mph or 160mph

[MCMLXIX]

I have been looking around for gauges for the Chevelle. I really like the look of the 4" VDO Visions speedometer/tach....


I like them because they dont have the big bezel like Autometer and they have "thru the dial" lighting with illuminated pointers. Also, Autometer puts too manly logos on thier stuff.

My only thought was I wish it was 160mph... There are some long stretches of open desert road out here, and I'v been up to 130mph in another car once before, but am I being too critical? I like everything else about them. Its only the cool factor I guess... my Tacoma truck has a 120mph spedo, so I guess I was looking for more...

[Jim Nilsen]

There are lots of other gauge manufactures out there,keep looking and you will find what you are wanting.

I keep telling myself that you are here and like performance and most any of the cars here will put a 120 mph speedo into submission somewhere around the top of 3rd or 4th gear at the 1/2 mile mark or sooner and will still be hunting down 160 mph with most going over that. With the power we all want to make, 150 mph is easy.

Go with a 160 mph speedo or I would think you would be disappointed in your purchase someday. On the other hand if you don't want to know how fast you are going so you don't scare passengers like the wife, 120 mph can be a good thing !!

[dipren443]

I have considered Smiths Gauges for the very same reason. Very subtle...

Here is their line of GT40 replacement gauges. These are the ones I am leaning towards.

http://www.nisonger.com/gt40-gauges.htm

[Yoda4561]

My old 72 cutlass with a tired 350 in it and 2.73 gears would peg a 120 speedo well before the 1/2 mile mark. Always wished it went to 140, buy a speedo that goes faster than you plan on driving if possible.

[TD509EFI]

Vdo makes 160 MPH speedo's and also versions with KmH, but don't import them. If you know someone in Europe or a company that will ship overseas, they are available.

John

[6'9"Witha69]

Stewart Warner has some nice subtle stuff.
http://www.stewartwarner.com/Products/prod1.html

[MCMLXIX]

Ok...

[MCMLXIX]

I think I found a gauge that offers everything I want... I had seen the website a while ago but couldn't remember it to save my life ..... I started a post to list all manufacturersand FULMNTE posted the link.... (Thanks Andreas) .... now I have a new question.....

www.speedhut.com they are out of utah.... come with a lifetime warranty .... and the best part...






New question.... 160 MPH or 200MPH ... and what about a GPS speedometer?

From thier website:

Expected Shipping will begin Feb 25th
SALE ENDS FEB 25TH AT 6PM MTZ.

Our new Revolution GPS Speedometer does not require a transmission sensor to operate making installation very easy in vehicles which lack electronic sensor output or for individuals wanting the simplest speedometer hook up.

Features included

• Odometer and Resettable trip
  
• 8 Htz update for fast needle response and accuracy
  
• Show elevation
  
• Peak Recall max speed during run
  
• Current direction heading
  
• Accurate GPS Clock
  
• Current Speed in LCD
  
• Hot start satellite acquisition allows GPS speedo to function within 2-3 seconds of power up
  

Easy hook up- requires only power, ground and lighting and GPS accurately displays speed. included 8' long antenna cord to route antenna to convenient location in corner of dash.

Speedhut Life-time warranty on all GPS speedos.

[ATAK, Inc.]

The GPS speedo looks pretty interesting, but I'm curious about accuracy issues noted in another thread about GPS. If it is reasonably accurate, this might be the route I take. I like the added features; direction, altitude, clock, trip & odo and max speed.
I think I will give them a call on monday to ask about accuracy, etc...

[68Formula]

If you're going above 120mph, the speedo is the last gauge you need to care about.

On a road course you need to be looking at the engine vitals and rpm. On a desert road, anything above 90mph is getting you in jail (besides, the cop will no doubt tell you exactly how fast you were going).

If you're just concerned about bragging rights, remember the highest tach speed, and later it will take all of 5 seconds to calculate your speed. Or bring a calculator with and have your co-pilot do it.

[wmhjr]

Take a look at the other thread about this. If you live in Vegas and plan to stick around that area and also stay out of the mountains, the GPS speedo might be OK. It won't be all that accurate, but may be accurate enough for what you want and it has a "cool" factor.

I'm a REAL big gadget guy but would never consider a GPS speedo even if it were free.

[Jim Nilsen]

I once had my speedometer go way off because of a trans change and the wrong gear in it. So I found a way to get around it that is as accurate as can be.

You have to have a tach that is good and then you have to know your rear gear ratio and tire size. Then you just do the math. You can physically measure your tire if you like or go to the manufatures website and get the number too.

RPM (example 2000 rpm = 2.0 - 2500 rpm = 2.5) x (tire dia x 3) Divided by the rear ratio = mph

You then can drive by your tach. You can put a small sticker on the tach if you want or marker line.

You can also do more calculations to correct this if you have an overdrive.

As long as your tach is correct and the diameter calculation is too, you will be more accurate than radar.

[Yoda4561]

If you're going above 120mph, the speedo is the last gauge you need to care about.

On a road course you need to be looking at the engine vitals and rpm. On a desert road, anything above 90mph is getting you in jail (besides, the cop will no doubt tell you exactly how fast you were going).

If you're just concerned about bragging rights, remember the highest tach speed, and later it will take all of 5 seconds to calculate your speed. Or bring a calculator with and have your co-pilot do it.

That's actually really good advice. On the other hand, I like it when a speedometer needle points to 12 oclock during interstate cruising, which for a 160 mph speedo is at 80 mph, perfect

[MCMLXIX]

I think I'll skip the GPS speedo. Its a cool idea but the possibility of losing signal, etc. is not worth it. I agree with Yoda and like the idea of 80mph being in the center too... It has a top speed recall feature... I also asked about a carbon fiber look dial face and they said it should be no problem...

[ATAK, Inc.]

I once had my speedometer go way off because of a trans change and the wrong gear in it. So I found a way to get around it that is as accurate as can be.

You have to have a tach that is good and then you have to know your rear gear ratio and tire size. Then you just do the math. You can physically measure your tire if you like or go to the manufatures website and get the number too.

RPM (example 2000 rpm = 2.0 - 2500 rpm = 2.5) x (tire dia x 3) Divided by the rear ratio = mph

You then can drive by your tach. You can put a small sticker on the tach if you want or marker line.

You can also do more calculations to correct this if you have an overdrive.

As long as your tach is correct and the diameter calculation is too, you will be more accurate than radar.

Hey Jim,
Thanks for the info, that will actually come in real handy for the interim, before getting all wrapped up in a speedo that is!