Conversion - Gauges and Indicators
I want my interior to appear as close to original stock Vega as possible, but wanted to upgrade the gauge package. I got a set of three Auto Meter mini (1 ½") electrical gauges from Jeg’s, catalog # 105-2391. I previously enlarged the voltmeter and temperature holes in my GT dash to fit a set of 1 ½" mechanical gauges. I wired the water temperature and voltmeter gauges directly through the firewall rather than through the fuse block. The LT1 has two coolant sensors; one on the water pump plenum that talks to the computer, and a single-wire sensor on the left head. I replaced that one with the electrical sender for the Auto Meter mini coolant temperature gauge. The stock Vega clock is worthless; besides my Delco sound system has a digital clock, so I put an Auto Meter mini electric oil pressure gauge wired through the firewall to an oil pressure sender on the fitting at the back of the LT1 intake manifold in place of the clock. The mechanical speedometer pickup on the transmission is modified with a vehicle speed transducer, but lets me use a stock cable-driven 120 MPH Vega GT speedometer. Tim McCabe modified an 8000-RPM Cosworth tach for my V-8. It connects through the firewall to a tach output wire from the computer and wiring harness. Using the Vega fuel sender allows me to use a stock fuel gauge. I plan to retain the stock idiot lights as much as possible. The Be Cool radiator has provisions for the stock Add Coolant sensor. I also added a Check Engine light that is built into the computer and wiring harness to monitor the status of the LT1 electronics. This went in the hole for the clock stem next to the oil pressure gauge.