GOOD gauges will cost several hundred dollars.... you want to go electronic Vs Mechanical... and the key part is deciding what you need to monitor... if not boosted then obv. boost, egt, fuel pressure...etc is not too crucial.... but you could run...
-Volts
-Oil pressure
-Oil temp
-Water temp
Currently i have several options going.
1- Blitz Rvit- THis unit is the size of a credit card but it can display up to 6 different readings on a variety of engine functions ... it is amazing but a bit small & hard to read fast... Greddy makes something very similar called an Infometer.... these monitors take the place of 6 different gauges! i mounted this on my Steerign column right behind the wheel.
2- Autometer Nexus Gauges (3)
- Fuel pressure
- Oil temp
- Oil pressure
I am boosted so i felt these three readings were important to keep an eye on... these are mounted on my dash, one on either side of my Instrument Cowl, & one on my Steerign column to the left of my R-VIT.. very close to line of sight so i can easily see nay major changes to their readings... plus the Autometer Nexus system lets me set warning levels & they will change color if there is a problem or the reading goes into the warning range...
3. Zeitronix Wide band Sensor/Display ( Also KEY for boost as it covers O2 sensor and EGT, and Boost levels
THis unit is a Very high quality Wide band O2 sensor & it also has options to display boost and EGT as well.. I use these also... i watch my EGT and my AF ratios constantly... this unit is custom mounted inside the dash behind my custom modified JDM dash tray, the display shows thru the back side of the Dash tray.........
4. LMW I-manage...THis is actually a fuel computer but it also displays Max Boost level as well as my fuel pump duty cycle...I use it to double check the Zeitronix... boost readings
It is key to decide exactly what you need/want to monito & then where to mount everything... the Autometer Nexus stuff is great in that it is EASY to install, wire , & set up and it has MANY options .. BUT... i didnt want 12 gauges stretched up my A pillar & across my dash. so i use all these things to monitor everything i need to in my car....
jeeses.. .combined with my TeinEDFC controller & Ipod & the LEDs i use for the different things in my car .... it is like flying a jet some times... hehehe