Oil pressure gauge location?

[95Blitz]

So, I'm not loving the fact the Cobalt only has a dummy light for the oil pressure. I have one of these on order, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2278 so I can remove one of the intake balance shaft plugs and have pressure. Anybody mount a gauge by the engine like this yet?


Oh that's the Saab intake and the 2.4 throttle body temp installed.

 

[Gtstorey]

I made a manifold out of a block of aluminum connected with a turbo oil feed line and mounted a Glow Shift pressure gauge sensor along with the stock pressure switch. The sensor was pretty big so I wanted more than just a pipe fitting tee.
This gauge is hard to read during the day so I have picked up a different Glow Shift gauge. The sensor for it is a lot smaller and would probably be ok with a pipe tee.
You can get the Bosch SP0F000009 kit with 4 fittings for less than you are paying for 1.

 

[Mattc3366]

In my opinion it’s not worth doing that just to put the gauge where it’s unreadable while driving. I like the fact of adding an actual oil pressure gauge though. Having one saved a built motor in my old turbo civic build. The sending unit brass tee broke and I noticed right away when the gauge hit 0 while at a red light. Without it I would have kept driving not knowing

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

The oil pressure should be directly in front of the driver, in clear view - since it is arguably the most important gauge in the dash panel. A double pod with the oil pressure and the boost gauge (for those with forced induction) mounted on the steering column is the ideal location - IMO.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

I made a manifold out of a block of aluminum connected with a turbo oil feed line and mounted a Glow Shift pressure gauge sensor along with the stock pressure switch. The sensor was pretty big so I wanted more than just a pipe fitting tee.
This gauge is hard to read during the day so I have picked up a different Glow Shift gauge. The sensor for it is a lot smaller and would probably be ok with a pipe tee.
You can get the Bosch SP0F000009 kit with 4 fittings for less than you are paying for 1.

Manifold? Do tell. Pics?

 

[Gtstorey]

I'm not much of a picture taker so I don't have any of it. I'll try to take some when I get around to swapping the sensor for the new gauge.

I used a piece of 1"x1.5"x6" aluminum that I drilled 2 holes for mounting to the side of the block into some of the existing threaded bosses. Drilled a long hole from one end and a couple of intersecting holes from the side. Tapped the holes for the pressure sender and the OEM switch. Tapped the end and used a 24" long -4AN braided line (plus various adaptors) to connect to the original hole from the pressure switch.

I was concerned about the same thing that happened with Mattc3366 and having the weight of the switch and sensor breaking a tee.

Biggest problem though is mounting the gauge where it can actually be seen while driving. I'm not sure that I would notice either the gauge or the light soon enough to save an engine if pressure is lost. The new gauge has an alarm and I may see if I can figure out how to output that signal and mount a warning light where it is more visible.

 

[95Blitz]

The gauge is just there on a temp basis to see if the oil pressure drops when my lower engine noise starts. Going to go electric later on, but would really love to drop the factory cluster for some real gauges.

 

[Mahkoi]

So, I'm not loving the fact the Cobalt only has a dummy light for the oil pressure. I have one of these on order, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2278 so I can remove one of the intake balance shaft plugs and have pressure. Anybody mount a gauge by the engine like this yet?


Oh that's the Saab intake and the 2.4 throttle body temp installed.

I bought the same adapter the put a T after to install a oil pressure and temp sensor there.

 

[Gtstorey]

I'm not sure that oil temp will be very accurate somewhere that isn't actually in the flowing/moving oil. I thought about adding it into my manifold, but decided to go with one that mounted in the oil drain plug. And I don't know that the temp in the pan is a meaningful measurement. If it is, there isn't much need of an additional oil coolers on these cars.

 

[Mahkoi]

I'm not sure that oil temp will be very accurate somewhere that isn't actually in the flowing/moving oil. I thought about adding it into my manifold, but decided to go with one that mounted in the oil drain plug. And I don't know that the temp in the pan is a meaningful measurement. If it is, there isn't much need of an additional oil coolers on these cars.

Yeah that thought occurred to me after I installed it since it was in a dead end path for the oil. I haven't put any thought into a better location for it so I've left it there for now.

 

[Gtstorey]

At least you sensor is fairly small. But I would still be a worried that the brass tee would break. They really don't like the load on them with vibration.

 

[Mahkoi]

Fingers crossed that it holds up, haha and if it doesn't I have an oil pressure gauge to let me know it broke.