Let's talk aftermarket gauges......

I am thinking of adding some gauges to my 03 Terminator, to help me keep an eye on the conditions of the car that can't be seen while driving.
I'm leaning toward an A-pillar pod, but the only reason is because that's what I'm familiar with and what I've always used in my diesel trucks. I've seen the "cluster bezel" that replaces the factory gauge cluster and holds 2 gauges, and noticed that several members here are using those. Is that a better option in these cars, than the A-pillar pods?
How do you have your gauges set up in your car, and what do you like/dis-like about your current configuration?

When I bought the car, the previous owner gave me some spare parts that he had not installed yet. One of the parts I found in the boxes was a New-In-The-Box Autometer 7104 Boost gauge. I'm certain this would have to be more accurate than the factory boost gauge in the cluster, right?
How difficult is it to install gauges in these cars....as far as tying in the gauges to sensors etc. so they can get accurate readings?
Lastly, what is most important to monitor with aftermarket gauges in these cars? I know in my diesel trucks I've always monitored Boost, EGTs, and Transmission Temperature.....but I'm sure there's different priorities in these cars.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions, and sorry for all the questions...... I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about my new ride!

I don't have a lot of experience here, but I do have some additional gauges in my Terminator.

I am running an A pillar 3 gauge set up. I like the A pillar because it is at eye level and I just need to glance over while driving to see my gauges. I'm running a volt gauge (as the Terminator factory boost gauge took the place of this gauge), a wideband gauge to monitor my A/F ratio and another boost gauge as it is numbered and I believe is more accurate. I'm also running another tach with shift light that is attached to my dash near the center A/C vents.

The gauges in my Terminator are from Autometer. The instructions tell you exactly how to wire the gauges. Volt was easy, just run to a switched power source. Wideband was easy too as I just needed to tap into a wire on my 02 sensor. Boost gauge was simple too, just needed to T off the vacuum tube on the factory boost gauge. Even the instructions for the tach was easy as the instructions identified the tach signal wire coming off the ECU. So, I just tapped into that.

These cars have been out for a long time now and there is a ton of information out there. If you can't find it here, just google what you're looking for and I'm sure someone on anther Mustang site or in general has posted something concerning what you may be asking about.

BTW, if you're looking for aftermarket gauges I highly recommend Speedhut. They custom make gauges that you can get that say SVT or whatever you want on them. And their gauges are of excellent quality. I'm using them on my 65 Mustang build.

factory boost gauge is close enough IMHO, I believe you can still get the overlays to work with pullied cars.

I think the gauges around the cluster is cleaner and more convenient. Lets face it, when you're WOT good luck watching the road, the cluster and the a-pillar. I have an aeroforce with boost (no factory gauge in a Mach 1) and oil pressure on the left of the custer, J&S Safeguard gauge on the right and innovate dual wideband in a steering column pod.

With the aeroforce you can check a ton of things via the OBD2 connection then run 2 add ons. I like oil pressure since the dash is a dummy switch, you can add any number of things on the other. They're not any more difficult to add than any other gauges. If you add a sensor in the engine bay you've gotta bring a wire through the firewall. Wideband stuff comes up through the trans tunnel/shifter area. Fuse panel under the dash and add a fuse works fine.

That's good info! Keep it coming.
I think a wideband A/F gauge is a good idea, and I really like the idea of a true volt meter like Black Gold 380R suggested. Is there any need to monitor EGTs on a blower car? I know they are very important in the diesel world, but I'm unsure if that strictly has to do with the turbo....... versus a blower application.
I also like the idea of a shift light. Maybe a stand alone unit....

Also, post some pics of your set-ups if you can
Thanks again for all the help!

The one gauge you should consider is a aeroforce interceptor. It can monitor pretty much any sensor on your car.

You can watch two parameters at the same time, set it up to cycle through multiple parameters. I actually have that gauge along with their wideband kit.

I mainly watch:

- A/F ratio
- Coolant temp
- Charge temp
- Battery volts
- Fuel pressure

I also have two speedhut gauges on the pillar. Which is boost/vac and oil pressure.

You can monitor boost/vac on the aeroforce interceptor gauge. But you might need a different bar map sensor if running over 13 psi. Either way, I like monitoring vacuum as well. The stop boost gauge can't do that.

Crappy picture.


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I liked my Aeroforce. I had plans to run dual Aeroforces before I switched things up. I mostly kept an eye on A/F and IAT2 temps. If I wanted to look at something else like coolant temp I would cycle through it manually. I also set up the LED's to warn me if the A/F went lean when I was in boost.

I don't really see a need to keep an eye on the EGT's with these cars. Maybe if you were really wanting to get into fine tuning. But for what we do it's not really a concern.

I prefer the pillar mount myself. Mostly because it's easier to glance left than look down when driving. And a flashing warning light is more likely to catch my eye in that area.

Just remember that a wideband has it's own O2 sensor. It doesn't use the stock sensors as those are narrow bands.

Another vote for the Aeroforce Interceptor gauges. I have them in my cobra and absolutely love them. I mainly monitor Air/fuel ratio, fuel pressure, oil pressure, and charge temp. Best thing about the Aeroforce gauges is you can change what your monitoring on the fly. If I want to know coolant temp it's just a couple pushes of the button. I think they can read trouble codes too. You can also use them as a shift light or if your oil pressure or fuel pressure gets too low you can program them to illuminate warning lights. They have so many functions. I currently have them in a gauge bezel mount.

Thanks Bdubbs. I think I'll add and Aeroforce to my list

01yellercobra, when running a wideband A/F do you just replace one of your stock O2 sensors with a wideband O2 senor, or do you have to install an extra bung to run the wideband sensor?

Albatross, that set-up looks really good


Does anyone have any recommendations/thoughts on a stand alone shift light?

BossMane said:

Thanks Bdubbs. I think I'll add and Aeroforce to my list

01yellercobra, when running a wideband A/F do you just replace one of your stock O2 sensors with a wideband O2 senor, or do you have to install an extra bung to run the wideband sensor?

Albatross, that set-up looks really good


Does anyone have any recommendations/thoughts on a stand alone shift light?

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you can set up a shift light with the aeroforce or run a stand alone like a raptor shift light (Im assuming they're still around).

for the wideband if you don't have cats you could always use a rear O2 bung, ideally they would add a bunch in the manfold/header befecore the mid pipe. It needs to be installed from 9 - 3 o clock going clockwise otherwise condensation can pool at the sensor and ruin it over time.

Excellent info DSG2003MACH1.....and thanks for the advice on the sensor install

Bdubbs said:

The one gauge you should consider is a aeroforce interceptor. It can monitor pretty much any sensor on your car.

You can watch two parameters at the same time, set it up to cycle through multiple parameters. I actually have that gauge along with their wideband kit.

I mainly watch:

- A/F ratio
- Coolant temp
- Charge temp
- Battery volts
- Fuel pressure

I also have two speedhut gauges on the pillar. Which is boost/vac and oil pressure.

You can monitor boost/vac on the aeroforce interceptor gauge. But you might need a different bar map sensor if running over 13 psi. Either way, I like monitoring vacuum as well. The stop boost gauge can't do that.

Crappy picture.
View attachment 1701224

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Bdubbs-
How do you like that steering column mount? Does it affect your ability to see the factory oil pressure gauge? Also, is that a shift light near your steering column gauge? If so, which light is it, and how do you have it mounted?
I'd like to see a picture of your set-up, from the driver's seat, if you can get one!

BossMane said:

Bdubbs-
How do you like that steering column mount? Does it affect your ability to see the factory oil pressure gauge? Also, is that a shift light near your steering column gauge? If so, which light is it, and how do you have it mounted?
I'd like to see a picture of your set-up, from the driver's seat, if you can get one!

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I like it mounted there. But it's kinda cheesy because it goes over your existing steering column. And I didn't want to drill holes in my factory column

It's a raptor shift light. I'll try getting a better picture today.

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Bdubbs said:

I like it mounted there. But it's kinda cheesy because it goes over your existing steering column. And I didn't want to drill holes in my factory column

It's a raptor shift light. I'll try getting a better picture today.

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its not my favorite but it works well enough, I didnt drill holes either but on the mustang it fit pretty well. On my lightning I wanna say I might have put some velcro on there.

For the shift light at one point I used a longer screw (same threads) and hung it upside down from the top of the bezel. I know how it in the AC duct behind the center stack. Not super convenient for changing rpms though, if you gotta dial that in then leave the bezel off for a bit until youre happy with with it

Kinda crappy pictures. I need to look into setting up the warning lights for my a/f.

How does it work? For instance, if I set it to 12.00 will it light up every time it sees that number or just during wot?

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I've got the dual gauge cluster ones. Maybe it's just me, but being able to see both of the gauges through the steering wheel is kind of a pain. It's not so bad with the digital wideband on the right side, but having an analog boost gauge on the left was tough to read when you're really getting on it. I would go with one of the column mount pods if you're just going to do one, or probably the pillar if you're going to do multiples. It would be nice to get a pod where the SN-95s put their clock, too.

Bdubbs said:

Kinda crappy pictures. I need to look into setting up the warning lights for my a/f.

How does it work? For instance, if I set it to 12.00 will it light up every time it sees that number or just during wot?View attachment 1701262View attachment 1701263

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I had mine set so that if it was seeing more than 2psi and the A/F went 12.0 or leaner it would give the warning. I added the boost so that it wouldn't have the LEDs flashing while crusiing.

I don't remember the exact steps but I think there was a warning selection under the main menu.

SecondhandSnake said:

I've got the dual gauge cluster ones. Maybe it's just me, but being able to see both of the gauges through the steering wheel is kind of a pain. It's not so bad with the digital wideband on the right side, but having an analog boost gauge on the left was tough to read when you're really getting on it. I would go with one of the column mount pods if you're just going to do one, or probably the pillar if you're going to do multiples. It would be nice to get a pod where the SN-95s put their clock, too.

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I will say I like my cluster surround from SA10 gauge pods or whatever it is (George the lightning guy), his are angled better and an OEM fit/finish (he starts with an OE surround unlike the flimsy autometer)

01yellercobra said:

I had mine set so that if it was seeing more than 2psi and the A/F went 12.0 or leaner it would give the warning. I added the boost so that it wouldn't have the LEDs flashing while crusiing.

I don't remember the exact steps but I think there was a warning selection under the main menu.

Click to expand...

this, the aeroforce menu is a little frustrating with their buttons but it's doable.

@Bdubbs I think you can download the user manual on the Aeroforce website. Getting those warning lights set up can be tricky. Just have to make sure you get the right version. The correct firmware version is 2.8 (I think). If you cant find it, let me know and I can email you a copy.

I run the Speedhut stuff. No pictures on my phone though. Temp, boost/vac and a wide band controlled by a Dyno Jet.

I had the A-pillar pod on my old '03 Cobra and liked it in that location. Others, though, prefer to see their gauges straight ahead, like the setups @Albatross, @SecondhandSnake and @DSG2003Mach1 have. Boils down to personal preference because both the A-pillar and gauge cluster location do the job they're designed to do.