Stock Vs. Aftermarket Gauges

[RonnieTheBull]

Ok kids heres the deal, as a few of you have already seen I have been working on putting a factory tach cluster in my '83. I am on the verge of re-pinning the plug but today I got to thinking. My truck is in no way the nastiest thing on the street, but it does have a stroker motor in it so it is somewhat high performance. My concerns are the accuracy of the gauges of course and the fact that they may cause a problem down the road....I really love the look of the clean sleek factory set up...like it was meant to be. Autometer gauges are out of my budget as they're other things I would rather spend my money on....I did look into the TPI & Dolphin gauges and could justify purchasing a 6 set of them for the price, and could probably sell the factory gauges that I have (tach is functional although I did do a white face cover lay) my concern is are they gonna be any more accurate. I have not called them directly but from what I can sort out it appears that their definition of "mechanical" gauges only means mechanical or electric speedo. If in fact this is the case are aftermarket electric gauges any more accurate then stock?? What are some thoughts and experiences with similar decisions??

Thanks all

[old Rusty C10]

even the stock guages are off a tad but frankly if youre going to go aftermarket id save the bucks for the autometer ones they seem to be the best quality out there

[85Bowtie]

Autometer Cobalt

Badass , I can say that right Rusty?

[RonnieTheBull]

Just got off the phone, called Dolphin and TPI. The gentleman at TPI seemed to be very well informed and familiar with what I was working with. He stated to me that if I had an older cluster (60's or older) his advice would be different but with that being said he advised me to stick with the factory gauges?? He said he is in the business of selling gauges, but that electric gauges typically offer a 1-1.5% varience while mechanical offer a 3-3.5% varience and with the cluster I was attempting to use was still rather new considering, he would feel that the accuracy of them would be sufficient.

Any thoughts??

[85Bowtie]

My thoughts are.......huh?

Typically, the mechanical gauges are more accurate than the electrical.

Autometer sells both types anyway. Unless your really going to be racing your truck anyway, then I guess you wouldn't have to worry about the absolute accuracy of the gauges. You'd probably never have a problem with them.

But if you want aftermarket, I don't see how new Autometer gauges are less accurate than your 20+ year old stockers.

I don't know anything about Dolphin gauges so I can't comment there.

[RonnieTheBull]

Originally Posted by 85Bowtie

My thoughts are.......huh?

Typically, the mechanical gauges are more accurate than the electrical.

Autometer sells both types anyway. Unless your really going to be racing your truck anyway, then I guess you wouldn't have to worry about the absolute accuracy of the gauges. You'd probably never have a problem with them.

But if you want aftermarket, I don't see how new Autometer gauges are less accurate than your 20+ year old stockers.

I don't know anything about Dolphin gauges so I can't comment there.

Thats the line of thinking I was using as well, thats why I called the guy. Those were his words exactly, I was always told that mechanical was more accurate...this not being my area I figured I would call them direct...then he stated breaking down percentages on me and I really didnt have any response (again cause I am no vet when it comes to these things) but with him costing himself a sale I gotta believe he felt he was giving me what he felt was the best advice. The truck will not be a strip truck though by anymeans....just a cruiser maybe a few shows depending on the end result

[flamingbig10]

if money isn't a issue than I would go with auto meter, but if it you can use equus gauges there a lot cheaper than auto meter and you can get them at oreilly auto
http://www.equus.com/products.php?category_id=100

[RonnieTheBull]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

if money isn't a issue than I would go with auto meter, but if it you can use equus gauges there a lot cheaper than auto meter and you can get them at oreilly auto
http://www.equus.com/products.php?category_id=100

When is money not the issue ...your gauge set up looks great though ...we dont have Oreilly Auto's around here...how much does a 6 set put you back??? The TPI's ran $193 according to the gentleman I spoke with earlier...if accuracy isnt a major factor for a cruiser I will probably just roll up me sleeves and proceed with the re-pin

[mongoose]

i spent close to 800 bucks on my dash in my cutt... all autometer mech, with an elec speedo though.

[87Lowrider]

How bout Digital?

[JohnC]

I would save for the autometer's too if you are considering aftermarket. Other than that I would use the ones you have.

[RonnieTheBull]

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

How bout Digital?

Those are sweet...a bit out of my budget...but a good looking set up

[RonnieTheBull]

Well another day into it...had a couple hours into this factory tach swap with no luck still...tach works great, got movement with the fuel gauge and the coolant gauge is bouncing like crazy anymore but the volts gauge has yet to move and I cant get a reading on the oil gauge....I must admit it got to me a bit today and I almost feel like a defeated man ...about to throw the factory set on ebay and go aftermarket ...goin to look some more online tonight and try and find a schematic...go out there tomorrow and try again...really getting frustrated...didnt think it would be this much of an issue for me

[strick9c10]

I've always had better luck with electric over mechanical. I've run both over the years. However, I feel it comes down to personal preference. Whichever type you go with, there is no wrong choice if you go with a good aftermarket gauge... and there are several out there.
I'm going with 2 1/16" gauges as well 5" speedo & tach from Auto Meter, I'm going to mount mine from behind the dash bezel so it looks more factory. It will be very similar to the pic below.

[69BBsuburban]

Originally Posted by strick9c10

I'm going with 2 1/16" gauges as well 5" speedo & tach from Auto Meter, I'm going to mount mine from behind the dash bezel so it looks more factory. It will be very similar to the pic below.

Smart man.....
Nothing looks worse than a dash that's been hacked up with a smooth panel full of ______ gauges plastered on top. Ya see it all the time with older cars too, totally tricked out interiors and the cool, stock dashes ripped out and in it's place? A flat panel......boring......

A little effort goes a long way.....

Classic Instruments make some really nice gauges as well....can make 'em to your specs, pointers, #'s, face plates, you name it.

[remist17]

nice job

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by strick9c10

I've always had better luck with electric over mechanical. I've run both over the years. However, I feel it comes down to personal preference. Whichever type you go with, there is no wrong choice if you go with a good aftermarket gauge... and there are several out there.
I'm going with 2 1/16" gauges as well 5" speedo & tach from Auto Meter, I'm going to mount mine from behind the dash bezel so it looks more factory. It will be very similar to the pic below.

I would love to hear more about mounting the aftermarket gauges behind the factory bezel