Has anyone seen the new gauges that are finally offered by Racingbeat.I'm thinking of buying the package soon.What does everyone think?Check out their site.

 

AutoMeter gauges have a good reputation so you can't go wrong with them. However, I believe that the gauges RB is offering are mechanical, meaning they are connected to their respective sensors by "pipes" which means oil and water lines will be snaking through your dash area. (Apparently, the mechanical gauges are more accurate than the electrical gauges.)

If that doesn't bother you, then go for it. Of course, there is already a water line running to the heater core under the dash so one could conclude that's not a big deal. Another option would be to purchase the gauge pod from RB and the gauges elsewhere if you prefer the electrical type. I had purchased the comparable AutoMeter electrical gauges early this year in anticipation of RB releasing their pod, but I got tired of waiting and ended up installing them in my RX-7 instead.

 

I just installed mine yesterday. Yes they are all mechanical but only the oil pressure gauge brings fluids into the cabin. The oil / water temp cables have a probe on the ends. When I first installed it there was a very small leak behind the oil pressure gauge and I inadvertently kinked the plastic line. To lower my concerns I replaced the plastic oil pressure line with Auto Meter part # 3236 a 6’ braided stainless steel line with connectors. I will post a few pics later in https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/racing-beat-gauge-pod-update-99728/

 

Here's what everyone thinks:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=99728

 

Link to where they are on RB?

 

It's in the "oil" section, here -

RB Link....

S

 

Where is the best place to get the Autometer 6' stainless steel pressure hose?


EXILE

 

It is all over the net, I ordered mine from Amazon just because I was getting other stuff from that site. Just Google 3236+autometer

 

Wow thanks, I've ordered one from Amazon too. Appreciate you posting your experiences online for the rest of us. Another part for the project...


EXILE

 

Does the oil pressure actually work? Unlike the Stock gauge that apparently only shows if there is or there isn't any pressure.

 

Yes, it does. In fact I just realised today my water temp gauge is fully funtional in my 94 Buick. Doh................ Functional temp gauge in Buick but not a sports car, only an idot light.

Well at least it's fancy and looks real.....

 

I received my RB pod and gauges yesterday. They look great and the pod appears to be a high quality piece. All of the adapters, fittings, lines, and instructions are included which makes this a very nice "one stop shopping" proposition.

I took EXPO1's advice and ordered the stainless steel line for extra insurance against an oil leak due to a kinked or a nicked line. When it arrives, I will perform the gauge installation.

At six feet, there should be some extra line with which to deal. For anyone that's used the stainless line due the install, what did you do to organize the extra line? Loop it in the transmission tunnel with wire ties? Loop it under the console?

 

I zipped tied mine to some wire that was near the master cylinder, the extra foot is not a big deal.

 

Thanks for the photo and the tips, Expo1. I think I'm good to go when the stainless line arrives.

 

Nice photo expo. You make some good posts.

I still want a center counsel gage mounted on top of dash.

Hell I just got a new RX8 toy today and even it has center top mounted gages.

 

OK, so I went with the stainless steel oil pressure line and installed the gauge pod, adapters, etc. Outstanding look with the Racing Beat gauge pod. Fired the RX-8 to check for leaks and let it come up to operating temerature. No leaks (good news) but no movement from the oil temp gauge. Contacted Brian at Good-Win Racing, from whom I purchased RB gauge set, who in turn directed me to Racing Beat. Spoke with Mike and discussed the problem. Basically looks like a bad mechanical gauge on the oil temp. Sending the bad gauge back, but in the mean time, I bought another Autometer oil temp gauge and pulled the entire assembly, switched gauges, and re-installed tonight. Everything working correctly now and, man, does it look great!

I'm ecstatic with the RB gauge pod setup, even with the oil temp gauge problem. The look is factory, and the installation instructions, and associated pictures, are very well done. I would definitely suggest taking Expo1's advise on using the Autometer stainless steel line for the oil pressure gauge. It adds extra insurance for the oil line running into the cabin and adds extra support for the water and oil temp tubes running from the various adapters to the respective gauges.

 

I was wondering what your avg Oil Temps were. I thought something was up with my oil temp gauge, but it just didn't begin to move as fast as the water temp. It's been in the low 50's around here and on the Hwy I am running around 160 deg oil temp.

 

At 180 degrees on the water temp, I'm reading about 160 degrees on the oil temp. This is at idle in the garage as I'm not using the RX-8 in the winter months here in Pittsburgh.

The oil temp gauge doesn't begin to move until the water temp is betwwen 160 and 170 degrees.

This is probably pretty indicative of regular driving conditions, though. I have an oil cooler on my 69 Boss 302 Mustang and it keeps the engine operating temperature low
(compared to a non-oil cooled engine) at idle and at road speeds.

 

expo1, any pics?

-Cody

 

Pics of mine and others in https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=99728

 

RB's look better than the crappy digitals fer sure expo always whiners in every room

 

OK so it's been unseasonably warm in the 'burgh and I had the RX-8 out this weekend. Oil temp runs between 160 and 170 degrees. It does take a while for the oil temp gauge to register after a cold start.