I did a search, and it looks like we haven't had a thread on these in a while, so it's possible the tech has moved on.
I've been having some issues finding a way to properly install a coolant temp gauge in a project car, and the solution I've found so far will run me about $100 for a new gauge and some adapter fittings/sensors. Couple with the fact that I have been having issues getting the speedometer to interface properly with the computer, I am wondering if I should just go ahead and get an OBD2 gauge setup. I had a ScanGauge E on a rallycross car for years, it held up fine, and was less than $100. I've noticed it is now discontinued, and the Scangauge 2 is the cheapest model at around $160. Ultragauge may still be around, too, and costs less. I really don't want an app/bluetooth setup. I want something hardwired that I set up once, and it just works.
Is there anything out there that does a few basic gauges better? Admittedly, one of the reasons I like the scangauge is how small and unobtrusive it is. Not sure if anyone else make something that size. I see a ton of cheap setups on Amazon, but no idea if they are going to last or not. And of course, there are some nicer setups meant to replace your whole gauge cluster, but I am not willing to do that right now. I don't want this to turn into another project.
So you want something that's not expensive, but not cheap. And doesn't take advantage of the computing power and display you keep in your pocket.
The Scangauge kinda sounds like the right answer. Since the OBD protocol is fairly static, it's unlikely the gauges will pick up any significant capabilities unless they bring them to the party, and that means more onboard sensors and cost along with more difficulty in installation.
Would an OBD-II adapter with a display on your phone work?
In reply to Keith Tanner :
It is a bit goldilocks, isn't it? I've seen the bigger clusters in the realm of a few hundred to nearly $1000 dollars, and that's way too much. I'm game for cheap, as long as the quality is there.
In reply to BoxheadTim :
I actually do have a bluetooth adapter to play with, and maybe I will give it a shot, I just really don't want to pull my phone out to use it every time I drive. I could also use an old phone for the display, and leave it in there, but that just screams "break my window" to me.
I vote for the Scangauge ll, don't have to worry about a wireless connection. I've got one in my autocross miata, planning to get another for my daily/alternative autocross/track day civic. Even though it's reading from the OBD output, and I haven't done a correction, the mph from the scangauge is more accurate than the speedometer.
Is it really that tough to use an app on a phone? I have Torque pro and it's easy to use, plus reads codes, etc. You could make a mount for it to easily install and remove as needed. Cheap older phone works here.
Also, if you are just looking for something to run gauges, you could get one of the cheaper android head units and torque pro. Then it is always there. Just needs a Bluetooth OBDII adapter
wae
PowerDork
12/4/22 2:58 p.m.
I don't remember what the dash looks like, but if there's room for a double DIN, one of those Chinesium Android head units can run Torque Pro or another digital dashboard that ties in to the OBDII adaptater.
wae said:
I don't remember what the dash looks like, but if there's room for a double DIN, one of those Chinesium Android head units can run Torque Pro or another digital dashboard that ties in to the OBDII adaptater.
Typical 1.5 DIN GM dash hole. Although, if I use it for a speedometer, I probably need it closer to the center of my field of vision. Something that mounts to the gauge cluster, or on top of the steering column would be ideal.
I may grab OBD Fusion and play with it a bit.
This was the dash in the Lemons Car. It's an android tablet running Torque through a Bluetooth obd2 dongle. It worked very well and is easily readable. Something similar using an old phone would be pretty easy to set up.
Highly relevant to my interests because this is what I want to do in the MR2 when the V6 goes in. Autometer's Dash Link caught my eye as well.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
Just checked the link. At first, seems way too pricey, but then I noticed the track and performance logging features, and the fact that it is for both Android and iOS. I think my biggest concern is if they use the phone GPS for the track maps and performance logging. I think most phones still use 1 Hz instead of 10 Hz GPS so the resolution may not be great. If it has its own internal GPS, that's better, and it makes the price more palatable.
I have an older Ultragauge in my truck, I love it. Use it more than my real gauges.
My first miata came with a dash mounted, hard wired to power android tablet running torque storm. Between that and my experience with trying to use gopro and gopro knock off cameras, I've learned an important lesson:
OBD II dongles and wireless networks in general are not reliable. Worrying about sketchy wireless connections does not promote optimal performance. Anything that depends on a wireless connection has the potential to provide distraction instead of information.
I won't consider anything that isn't hard wired. When I'm sitting in grid, I need to be thinking about things like tire pressure and how to adjust my brake point for the hairpin from the last run, not whether I can get some device to work as it's intended.
The ScanGauge II works every time I start the car, and my Garmin Virb Ultra records every time I flip the lever.
Run_Away said:
I have an older Ultragauge in my truck, I love it. Use it more than my real gauges.
Yep, I have them in the Expedition and Fusion. Love them. They are easy to read, customizable enough, and reasonably priced.
Leaning more towards giving the Ultragauge a try, especially since it is so much cheaper. Did a little checking, and the overall size for the Ultragauge is 3.4" W x 2.1" H and the Scangauge is 4.8" W by 1.5" tall. The screen on the Ultragauge looks like it may be easier to glance at and read quickly, which will help if it gets used as a speedometer. I'll take some measurements inside the truck before I make a final decision.
I have used the torque pro app with a bluetooth dongle in a few cars. Ranging from a permanent install with a new tablet, to using a free phone in a lemons car. You can not beat it for the price, which in our lemons car was about $25 that being the price of the app, and dongle. I never had any complaints with that setup.
Ultra gauge does not have the reliability of the scan gauge, read some online comparisons.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Sure, make the decision more complicated for me 
In some searches, I think I saw some YouTube comparisons listed, but I haven't watched any of them yet. I guess I should.
Which project car, the LS engined S10?
Replace the two wire coolant temp sensor with a three wire, which was used on early LS cars to be backwards compatible with non CAN LT1/Vortec gauge clusters. Two wires go to the computer like the 2 wire sensor you have, one wire goes to the gauge like the S10 did. Have done several and GM seems to use the same gauge resistance expectations back to antiquity.
Speedo is trickier but doable. All GMs (except Saturn) with digital speedometers are 4000 pulses per mile, which is four pulses per revolution a standard 1000RPM/60mph speedometer cable. Gotta play around a bit in HPT to get that right.
Or, heck, I have a CAN based cluster from a Malibu you can have to poke around with, for $free if you come pick it up in Columbus. I'll be there this weekend working on the blue flat-four rallycross car. The odometer was not reading correctly because of weird anti tampering reasons. All of the gauge "words" should be the same, I think.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
From what I've read (which could be completely wrong), GM changed resistance values for the coolant sensor between when my first gen S10 was built and the LS motors, so it may not be compatible. If it would work, that'd be nice.
The speedometer is supposed to be compatible with the computer's signal, and I've checked my wiring multiple times, so am not sure why it doesn't work. I should have borrowed an oscilloscope before it got so cold, and maybe could have figured that one out. Might try to do that in the spring.
I have the BCM and cluster from the donor vehicle if I really want to get deep in this, but I don't want to risk having it off the road after the salt is washed away. It has spent too much time laid up in the garage as is.
In reply to eastsideTim :
Huh... apparently there was a resistance switchover in '79ish. I know for a fact that the three wire LS sender works with 90s truck and car gauges. Older than that and the car just got mechanical gauges under the dash because vintage.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
If the switchover is that old, then the S10 should be in the clear. I'll have to do some more reading. It would be nice to just grab a factory sensor and pigtail, and only have to hook up one wire. Then again, the speedometer was supposed to be that easy, too.
Has anyone every tried one of these cheap ones from Amazon?
wiiyii Car HUD Head Up Display P6, OBD+GPS Smart Gauge
