New Gauges ??

[Guest]

I haven't done this to any of my Festivas, but I've done it to virtually every car I've owned. Replace the idiot lights/short sweep gauges with full sweep gauges. Some mechanical some not. I have 2 of the 4 gauges I want to install. Auto Meter Ultra lite 2 1/16 4375 digital AFR and the 4321 mech oil pres. I still need the water temp and D-PIC.

This maybe a stupid question, but can I just replace the electrical sending units (oil press/water temp) with a mechanical nipples? I don't know if it's that simple on a Festiva or not. But I don't see why it wouldn't be unless the ecu is somehow involved.

[Festy46]

The mechanical temp gauge shouldn't be a problem. Most of them come with 2 or 3 different fittings to adapt to the current sending unit hole. Where you will have a problem is if your oil pressure gauge has 1/8" NPT fitttings on it. American 1/8" NPT is 27 threads per inch while the sending unit hole in the engine block is metric with 28 threads. NAPA sells adapter fittings to change from the metric pipe to the American. I always use a T fitting so I can keep the idiot light and the mechanical. If you suddenly lose oil pressure, the idiot light will come on to attract your attention since you don't usually drive by staring at the oil pressure gauge all the time.
John