Fitting Oil Temp & Pressure Senders

[edh]

I'm looking for the best options for this - finding good locations for the senders isn't easy

There's also the question of where to measure oil temps - do you want the temp of the oil that's about to lubricate the bearings, or the temp at it's hottest? (or both?)

Think Auto suggested using a sandwich plate with 2 machined adapters for their mechanical senders (or for someone else's electrical senders). This would sit under the oil filter & measure the oil post oil cooler. The plate is around £40. Will take 1/2 BSP or 5/8 UNF senders (that's the next problem! - finding compatible senders)

Then there's the challenge of finding gauges closest to stock - I reckon the siemens vdo vision ones are pretty close.
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-VDO-Cockpit-Vision-Gauges/c1_2_3/index.html

- or the Smiths Eclipe range - they can supply 5/8 UNF senders. I might be able to use their senders with VDO gauges.
http://www.caigauge.com/International_Instruments.htm

The Think Auto (Mocal) gauges are close, but have white needles. They do a combined pressure / temp gauge which saves space.
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-MOCAL/c1_358/index.html
It's mechanical though - routing 2 oil lines looks a bit awkward. I've routed the boost hose through the grommet that the main loom from the DME/KLR passes through. I can get 2 more wires down there pretty easily.

I'm going to mount them under the radio - the dials should help illuminate the rocker switches as well...[]

 

[eastendr]

For oil pressure, tee off the existing pressure sender point at the OSF of the block (behing the power steering pump).

For the oil temperature you need a sensor fitted in a modified oil drain plug in the bottom / side of the sump.

There is precious little space under the filter for a sandwich plate.

HTH

 

[Big Dave]

For the oil temp. Demon Tweeks are doing a selection of drain plugs with holes through the middle to which you can attatch a temp probe..
Get the 2008 catalogue ,, its in there ,, Cant remember what page though...

 

[edh]

ORIGINAL: eastendr

For oil pressure, tee off the existing pressure sender point at the OSF of the block (behing the power steering pump).

For the oil temperature you need a sensor fitted in a modified oil drain plug in the bottom / side of the sump.

There is precious little space under the filter for a sandwich plate.

HTH

I'd have thought the filter could be raised up a bit (haven't measured the gap to the bonnet though - I thought I could try some blu-tack & see how high I can go before it gets squashed)

There doesn't look like a lot of space down by the pressure sender Rick - I replaced the sender a few months ago & it was quite awkward. I have visions of screwing the t-piece in & finding that the hole for the 2nd pressure sender is pointing in completely the wrong direction, then having to use washers & trial & error to find the right angle. Pressure senders are usually quite bulky as well, so would need a fairly long t-piece. If you've done it then I guess it will work [] Do you know what size thread the standard pressure sender is?

...and what thread does the sump plug use?

 

[edh]

Sump drain plug is M20 according to a Rennlist post
I also suspect that a VDO gauge might work off the stock sender (probably a VDO one anyway) - they appear to have the same spec -5 bar 10-180 ohm - but I probably would have to lose the factory one - any thoughts on that?

I also found a post where someone has used a Greddy sandwich plate - so that idea should work.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=236909
on sale at
http://www.grahamgoode.com/website/parts.php?website=16&nav=98&item=12002801

 

[Peter Empson]

For the oil temp guage I went for the VDO as it's the closest match I could find. My sensor will be in the sump plug too. I bought them from ETB instruments

 

[Big Dave]

If your after a plate,, just found this..
A good way of fitting another oil cooler aswell...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320191193506&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

 

[Big Dave]

Hey Patrick.
Looks like youve just bought one.????

 

[333pg333]

You're quick Dave. Yes I saw it and thought it could come in handy. I've got so much stuff yet to do to my car it's intimidating. Setting up extra oil cooling and gauges is just one of them. Have to take some advantage of all this time off the road.[]
How's your car going? I believe that you're entertaining a few projects of your own??

 

[Big Dave]

Yep. Ive got LOTS to do on my car before next years track outings....

Im going to have to start to prioritise a few things....

 

[edh]

Maybe I can fit 2 temp senders - one in the sump plug & another in the sandwich plate & switch between them?

- that way I can see the effect the oil cooler is having

 

[333pg333]

ORIGINAL: edh

Maybe I can fit 2 temp senders - one in the sump plug & another in the sandwich plate & switch between them?

- that way I can see the effect the oil cooler is having

Sounds like a good idea, it's just a matter of where to put all the gauges? Get one with a dual temp read.