hooking up oil pressure gauge: need some help

hov333 · 12-20-2008, 02:09 PM

I recently bought oil pressure and boost gauges. They are the Defi racer gauges that kenntona also has in his car. The directions are just diagrams so I'd appreciate some help from people that have installed this before.

the boost is straight forward, the oil pressure is what i need help with.

According to Defi's directions, i need to buy a commercial sensor attachment and a "commercial conversion adapter". We dont have the same setup on our cars as the diagrams show so I need some DIY help...

thanks guys
hov

O-cha · 12-20-2008, 02:11 PM

pretty much anywhere on the oil filter housing you can put a sensor and or adapter in. Those two nuts above where the oil cooler is may suffice.

hov333 · 12-20-2008, 02:21 PM

so which is better, near the filter or the oil cooler? what kind of parts should i be buying to make this work?

O-cha · 12-20-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hov333

so which is better, near the filter or the oil cooler? what kind of parts should i be buying to make this work?

Honestly you shouldn't be doing it yourself if you need to be asking, and I'm not saying that to be a dick like most of the things I say.

AJ@ECSMotorsports · 12-20-2008, 05:22 PM

Pretty straight forward. He asked for help, whether he should install it himself.

O-cha is correct, I would tap it off the oil filter block. I don't know how the 335i is setup, but I know it is located in the front of the engine, right near the hood latch.

Got a link to what pod you'll be using? Or to the other members?

It is my understanding that the Defi Racer Pressure gauge is electrical, which uses an oil pressure sender/sensor..?

In this case, you have two options:
1) Get an oil filter adapter block/plate AKA Sandwich plate. I am not sure what size BMW uses, but most/all cars use only 2 different sizes. This simply attaches to the oil cooler/filter plate where the filter goes, and teh filter then attaches to the sandwich plate. You screw the OEM sensor into this sandwich plate, as well as your new OP sender/sensor.
See pic:

2)
You just get the right fittings and tee the factory sensor. This is probably the simplest way. Locate the factory OP sensor wire, usually on the oil filter plate/cooler plate. Unscrew this, go to Ace Hardware, or anywhere that has metric fittings, and find a tee that will screw into the factory location. Screw the factory sensor to one end of the tee, and the Defi sender/sensor to the last end of the tee.

You're basically wanting to TEE into the oil line coming off the oil filter housing, just like installing a boost gauge.

Hope this makes sense.. here's a basic diagram:

Sizes are probably about the same.. I did this in my Mazdaspeed 6, and came out great.

Turkishexpress · 12-20-2008, 06:08 PM

The unit above looks a bit more complicated from the one I used on my Evo but the theory is the same. You need an adaptor that will sandwich between the oil filter and its housing.

TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management · 12-20-2008, 06:29 PM

the 335i uses a cartridge filter there is no provision for a sandwich plate

Turkishexpress · 12-20-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

the 335i uses a cartridge filter there is no provision for a sandwich plate

Well that sucks. In that case you may have to tap into the oil pan

That's going to suck

TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management · 12-20-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkishexpress

Well that sucks. In that case you may have to tap into the oil pan

That's going to suck

the oil pan has no oil pressure, it catches all the oil from the valvetrain and crankcase

O-cha · 12-20-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

the oil pan has no oil pressure, it catches all the oil from the valvetrain and crankcase

He was probably thinking oil temp.

Turkishexpress · 12-20-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTurboBullett

the oil pan has no oil pressure, it catches all the oil from the valvetrain and crankcase

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-cha

He was probably thinking oil temp.

Yep sorry bout that. So anyone have an idea on how to do this?

AJ@ECSMotorsports · 12-20-2008, 11:06 PM

You choose option two in my earlier post...
tap/tee into the oil sensor wire coming off the oil filter block... if there is one, and I'm sure there is.

hov333 · 12-21-2008, 12:04 PM

thanks for all the help. yes im familiar with all the components under the hood. I've just never installed gauges so thats why i turned to you guys on the forum. I'm sure there are probably different ways to do it but thats where i need the advice for what is the simplest method on our car.

hov333 · 01-09-2009, 02:31 PM

autozone has brass T's for things like tapping into oil lines. What size should i get, they didnt know what size i need...

NatesGr8 · 01-09-2009, 03:00 PM

your best bet is to pull one of the plugs that are near the oil filter and get an adapter plug to put in there. the adapter plug will have the same threads as the plug you pulled out, but it will also have a hole drilled in it with the proper 1/8 npt threads to connect your oil sensor/sender.

hov333 · 01-09-2009, 03:27 PM

oh so its just a plug i pull out of the oil filter housing? i dont remember seeing any adapter plugs with the gauge tho... I have the defi racer gauge...heres a website that has some info on them.

http://www.racinglab.com/defi-blue-r...e-df06601.html

NatesGr8 · 01-09-2009, 03:36 PM

you'll most likely need to buy the plug from a third party. all you need to do is find out what thread pitch/size the existing plug is. For subaru's there are things like this...
http://prosportgauges.com/subaru-oil-galley-plug.aspx

hov333 · 01-09-2009, 05:12 PM

cool, wut exactly are these plugs for? they empty? do they need to be reconnected?

AJ@ECSMotorsports · 01-11-2009, 09:42 AM

I posted a basic how to in my earlier post, did you even take a look?

By plug, we are referring to stock oil pressure sensor. You remove that, plug in a male/male fitting, which you connect to a T block. That T block will now have 2 open ports: one to replug your stock sensor back into, and one for your OP gauge. Pretty simple.
It is your job to make sure on fitting sizes, adapters (if necessary). I know my Autometer OP gauge in my Mazda came with adapters, so I just bought a Tee and a male/male.

hov333 · 01-11-2009, 10:34 AM

thanks pracing, yes i saw the diagram but it was hard to picture. I took a look under the hood yesterday and see exactly what you mean. I just need to go to autozone and find some sort of T/splitter so i can attach both the gauge sensor and the oem one. seems pretty straight forward.

where do u tap into the +,-,dimmer, and ACC?

hov333 · 01-19-2009, 11:49 AM

bump, what color wires do you tap for acc and dimmer?

hov333 · 01-20-2009, 01:48 PM

bump fellas!

12-20-2008, 02:09 PM	#1
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	hooking up oil pressure gauge: need some help I recently bought oil pressure and boost gauges. They are the Defi racer gauges that kenntona also has in his car. The directions are just diagrams so I'd appreciate some help from people that have installed this before. the boost is straight forward, the oil pressure is what i need help with. According to Defi's directions, i need to buy a commercial sensor attachment and a "commercial conversion adapter". We dont have the same setup on our cars as the diagrams show so I need some DIY help... thanks guys hov
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12-20-2008, 02:11 PM	#2
O-cha Brigadier General 218 Rep 4,726 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In front of you iTrader: (2)	pretty much anywhere on the oil filter housing you can put a sensor and or adapter in. Those two nuts above where the oil cooler is may suffice. __________________
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12-20-2008, 02:21 PM	#3
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	so which is better, near the filter or the oil cooler? what kind of parts should i be buying to make this work?
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12-20-2008, 05:22 PM	#5
AJ@ECSMotorsports Lieutenant 21 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (14)	Pretty straight forward. He asked for help, whether he should install it himself. O-cha is correct, I would tap it off the oil filter block. I don't know how the 335i is setup, but I know it is located in the front of the engine, right near the hood latch. Got a link to what pod you'll be using? Or to the other members? It is my understanding that the Defi Racer Pressure gauge is electrical, which uses an oil pressure sender/sensor..? In this case, you have two options: 1) Get an oil filter adapter block/plate AKA Sandwich plate. I am not sure what size BMW uses, but most/all cars use only 2 different sizes. This simply attaches to the oil cooler/filter plate where the filter goes, and teh filter then attaches to the sandwich plate. You screw the OEM sensor into this sandwich plate, as well as your new OP sender/sensor. See pic: 2) You just get the right fittings and tee the factory sensor. This is probably the simplest way. Locate the factory OP sensor wire, usually on the oil filter plate/cooler plate. Unscrew this, go to Ace Hardware, or anywhere that has metric fittings, and find a tee that will screw into the factory location. Screw the factory sensor to one end of the tee, and the Defi sender/sensor to the last end of the tee. You're basically wanting to TEE into the oil line coming off the oil filter housing, just like installing a boost gauge. Hope this makes sense.. here's a basic diagram: Sizes are probably about the same.. I did this in my Mazdaspeed 6, and came out great.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2008, 06:08 PM	#6
Turkishexpress Gixxer Man 14 Rep 599 Posts Drives: '08 335i E90 / '06 Range HSE Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tysons/Sterling, VA iTrader: (2)	The unit above looks a bit more complicated from the one I used on my Evo but the theory is the same. You need an adaptor that will sandwich between the oil filter and its housing. __________________ Stable: 2008 E90 335i JB3 etc..., 2006 Range Rover HSE, K7 GSX-R 600 Former Stable: 2008 MB C300, 2007 Chevy Avalanche, 2006 Evo IX (544awhp), 2005 Sti, 2003 Evo...
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12-20-2008, 06:29 PM	#7
TurboBullett@Ambient Thermal Management Major 80 Rep 1,283 Posts Drives: 2012 Abarth 500 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (3)	the 335i uses a cartridge filter there is no provision for a sandwich plate
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12-20-2008, 11:06 PM	#12
AJ@ECSMotorsports Lieutenant 21 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (14)	You choose option two in my earlier post... tap/tee into the oil sensor wire coming off the oil filter block... if there is one, and I'm sure there is.
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12-21-2008, 12:04 PM	#13
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	thanks for all the help. yes im familiar with all the components under the hood. I've just never installed gauges so thats why i turned to you guys on the forum. I'm sure there are probably different ways to do it but thats where i need the advice for what is the simplest method on our car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2009, 02:31 PM	#14
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	autozone has brass T's for things like tapping into oil lines. What size should i get, they didnt know what size i need...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2009, 03:00 PM	#15
NatesGr8 Private First Class 3 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 05 Legacy GT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	your best bet is to pull one of the plugs that are near the oil filter and get an adapter plug to put in there. the adapter plug will have the same threads as the plug you pulled out, but it will also have a hole drilled in it with the proper 1/8 npt threads to connect your oil sensor/sender. __________________ JPSIMON's personal mechanic
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01-09-2009, 03:27 PM	#16
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	oh so its just a plug i pull out of the oil filter housing? i dont remember seeing any adapter plugs with the gauge tho... I have the defi racer gauge...heres a website that has some info on them. http://www.racinglab.com/defi-blue-r...e-df06601.html
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2009, 03:36 PM	#17
NatesGr8 Private First Class 3 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 05 Legacy GT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	you'll most likely need to buy the plug from a third party. all you need to do is find out what thread pitch/size the existing plug is. For subaru's there are things like this... http://prosportgauges.com/subaru-oil-galley-plug.aspx __________________ JPSIMON's personal mechanic
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-09-2009, 05:12 PM	#18
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	cool, wut exactly are these plugs for? they empty? do they need to be reconnected?
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01-11-2009, 09:42 AM	#19
AJ@ECSMotorsports Lieutenant 21 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (14)	I posted a basic how to in my earlier post, did you even take a look? By plug, we are referring to stock oil pressure sensor. You remove that, plug in a male/male fitting, which you connect to a T block. That T block will now have 2 open ports: one to replug your stock sensor back into, and one for your OP gauge. Pretty simple. It is your job to make sure on fitting sizes, adapters (if necessary). I know my Autometer OP gauge in my Mazda came with adapters, so I just bought a Tee and a male/male.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2009, 10:34 AM	#20
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	thanks pracing, yes i saw the diagram but it was hard to picture. I took a look under the hood yesterday and see exactly what you mean. I just need to go to autozone and find some sort of T/splitter so i can attach both the gauge sensor and the oem one. seems pretty straight forward. where do u tap into the +,-,dimmer, and ACC?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 11:49 AM	#21
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	bump, what color wires do you tap for acc and dimmer?
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01-20-2009, 01:48 PM	#22
hov333 Major 66 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (1)	bump fellas!
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