Gauges for the '03 Cobra - Part I

**Glenn_03Cobra** · 10-31-09, 01:22 PM

While at the recent Granatelli -> http://www.granatellimotorsports.com Block Party and Dyno Day, I got a nudge from Ray McClelland, owner of Full Throttle Kustomz -> http://www.ftkustomz.com , who suggested that I buy some raffle tickets because one of the prizes was a FAST Wide-Band Air/Fuel gauge kit worth just over $200. I know running a blower without monitoring air flow is a risk but, since the car is still stock and under an extended Ford warranty, I took my chances. With the Cobra on the Dyno, Ray noticed the car running too rich after 3200 RPM with WOT and stopped the Dyno. Concerned, I took the car into the dealer to find that the rear bearing in the Eaton supercharger was bad. Thank God for warranties 'cause the replacement work was over $2k and I only dished-out 100 bucks for the deductible. With the new eaton, I'll get the tune right and start monitoring the engine vital signs.

Oh ya, back to the gauge... Luck was not in my favor in that raffle as my friend Gary (GoBoss of http://www.GrabberOrange.com) held the winning ticket for the gauge. But, as I stood next to Gary and the many prizes surrounding his feet, I managed to sweet talk him into a trade. I can't remember what his score was in the trade but, the A/F gauge was now mine.

Here's the gauge. Notice the 02 sensor coming out of the back of the gauge:
[attachment=1:3hbdgiwp]FAST Air Fuel Gauge Kit 170634.JPG[/attachment:3hbdgiwp]

The wiring harness for the gauge and 02 sensor look pretty clean and easy to hook into:
[attachment=0:3hbdgiwp]FAST Air Fuel Gauge Kit 170634 what was supposed to be included.jpg[/attachment:3hbdgiwp]

The plan is to install an A/F gauge with two other gauges in an Auto-Meter 3-gauge pillar pod (I'll post pics later), already in my possesion. I'm not thrilled about installing gauges that don't match but, I'll cross that bridge when it comes time to buy the right gauges. For now, I thought I would focus on what it takes to install this gauge by making sure the kit was complete and understanding the install procedures.

Looking at the pics on the FAST website -> http://www.FuelAirSpark.com, I noticed that my kit is a bit different. The below pic is what I received - notice the open ended wires, the ommission of an O2 sensor, and no instruction sheet. I'm sure this will be fixed/explained with a simple call to FAST customer support. When we initially called FAST to provide our shipping address, they were very friendly and helpful.

Ok... so, without kit instructions in hand, I referred to the instructions at the FAST website -> http://www.cpgnation.com/forum/installi ... l#post3079 . Interestingly, they use an '05 Mustang GT with headers and no cats. The O2 sensor install suggest drilling into the mid-pipe but, do not explain that the hole is in addition to the stock sensor. Their online instructions also suggest that the wires are color coded to make an easy install but, in the kit I received, the wiring harness uses Black, Red, Brown, and Orange wires. Unfortunately, the harness colors do not match the Black, Blue, Green, White wires that attach to the gauge itself.

I certainly appreciate FAST donating the gauge for the raffle, I just wish they would've checked the box before shipping to save me the trouble of the follow-up.

I will follow-up with the next steps in Part II, after I get some descrepancies worked-out with FAST customer service.

**Powershift03** · 10-31-09, 01:40 PM

The joys of free parts. Sometimes, they are more trouble than it's worth. LOL

That gauge will most likely will not match the other gauges you buy too. Might want to consider that fact.

To answer one of your questions... you DO need to have another oxygen sensor bung welded into your midpipe (ahead of the cats) for the gauge's Oxygen sensor. You can't tap the gauge into one the factory sensors.

I have two new gauges waiting at home for me. One of which is a Wideband. I already have a bung welded into my mid pipe for the dyno tune work, and will use it for the new gauge's sensor. This is a common practice.

**Glenn_03Cobra** · 10-31-09, 02:20 PM

I'm with ya on the gauges not matching. That has been a concern for me from the start. Once I'm ready to purchase gauges, I'll figure-out the matching issue. For now, I am focusing on what it will take to install this kit.

**Powershift03** · 10-31-09, 02:45 PM

You could always go this route for mounting too. It's a steering column gauge mount. That way, if you want to keep this gauge, and add more gauges later, the Wideband doesn't really have to match.

http://www.lightningforceperformance.co ... cts_id=787

**Glenn_03Cobra** · 10-31-09, 02:52 PM

I'd like to sit in a car with that setup to see what it looks like. Thanks for the tip.

Which gauges are you installing?

**Powershift03** · 10-31-09, 03:12 PM

I went with Speedhut gauges. In fact... here is one in the column mount I posted above. The gauges I got are very similar, but mine have black bezels, and red SVT logos. I wanted them to match the factory gauges.

I'll be mounting them both in an Autometer cluster mount like the one below. I got a Wideband and Fuel Pressure gauge...

**Glenn_03Cobra** · 10-31-09, 10:41 PM

Nice! Looks like a clear view through the steering wheel.

**Julie GT07CS** · 11-09-09, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Powershift03

I went with Speedhut gauges. In fact... here is one in the column mount I posted above. The gauges I got are very similar, but mine have black bezels, and red SVT logos. I wanted them to match the factory gauges.

I'll be mounting them both in an Autometer cluster mount like the one below. I got a Wideband and Fuel Pressure gauge...

Ooooooo those do look good! Nice n clean!

**blind** · 11-10-09, 10:46 AM

the new truck doesn't have a boost gauge

They make a single steering column mount but not a dash bezel that I've found yet. I'd like to have boost and oil pressure, might get an a-pillar setup, not sure yet.

**Powershift03** · 11-10-09, 08:00 PM

My gauges came in a few days ago...

**Glenn_03Cobra** · 11-10-09, 10:35 PM

Nice!!

**SVTRonDogg** · 11-19-09, 04:59 PM

Here's my setup, the Gauge Pods are painted to match the interior:

I now have an Aeroforce Interceptor on the Steering Column, normally keeping an eye on Volts and IAT2s.

**SVTRonDogg** · 01-07-10, 10:09 PM

Updated Pics while flying under the cover of darkness

Close Ups:

Glenn, the AeroForce gauges are the way to go if you want to keep things simple and don't need to keep tabs on every single thing. They get a good chunk of data direct from the ECU, and allow external sending units for things such as Widebands, Fuel Pressure, Boost, etc.

Julie, I have one of these sitting in my garage for the Shelby. Will be doing a How-To Install this weekend using a Vent Pod.