510 SR20DET Speedo - Mech vs Elec

[midlife510]

Great thread converting the electric sender/ pinion on the SR20DET tranny to a mechanical unit.  BUT... I've also read about keeping the electric sender and installing an electric speedo.  I'm trying to decide which I should do.  What better way than a pro/ con on each?  I'm interested in everyone's input/ corrections/ etc....

 

Oh, I'm not considering the GPS speedo version...  wouldn't meet my needs... and perhaps a bit too controversial to keep the thread focused...  ;)  

 

Here's what I'm thinking...

1. Cost: Mech is likely cheaper, but by a lot?
2. Calibration - Mech: swap pinion gears.  Elec: At least for Auto Meter, drive 2 miles and you're done (other brands have similar methods).  For further reading, an interesting article on calibration
3. Longevity - Mech: risk replacement due to wear and tear (failure is rare from what I've heard) and outdated/ hard to get parts.  Elec: much fewer moving parts, more modern and therefore better parts availability.
4. VSS (Variable Speed Sensor) input on ECU: OK, so I haven't finished researching the benefit of sending a VSS signal to the ECU.  From what I can tell, sending a speed signal to the ECU should result in better engine management and tuning options.  For mech speedo, I haven't figured out how to drive the speedo and also send a signal to the ECU.  For elec speedo, it is straightforward/ a default config - the VSS signal goes to the speedo and the speedo provides the signal to the ECU.

Thoughts/ inputs/ comments (corrections?)?

 

TIA

[510T]

I went autometer electric with my sr20 510 after installing the mech. gear and cable first (trying to keep the stock gauge).  The cable was kinked and the gauge was all over the place after 5mph.

 

Wiring it up was easy, mine is not wired to the ECU.  I really don't see the need for that on most street cars though.  The most difficult part is measuring out the 2 mile calibration where you can be stopped to push the buttons.  ;)

[DISLEXICDIME]

Vdo makes a electric speedo that works with the sr sensor I have one but have not tried it .

[datzenmike]

Stock looking is important to me, specially the body exterior and the interior. It was designed to look that way and all components 'fit'. Electric means you don't have the stock gauge. Stock is where it's at.

[paradime]

I have a Revolution 4" electric GPS speedo in my SR 510. Wire it up with 12v and done. It's very accurate and has stuff like 0-60, 1/4 mile. top speed, average speed, etc. I've run it for over two years now and love it.

[danfiveten]

Someone i know for his ka swap said the sentra speedo and tach were the right size to fit in the dash, just have to cut them down to fit.  Cant remember what years of sentra. 

[DISLEXICDIME]

Yup or you can use a 240 sx speedo and tac like Phil has in his kat wagon

[Three B's Racing]

I have a Revolution 4" electric GPS speedo in my SR 510. Wire it up with 12v and done. It's very accurate and has stuff like 0-60, 1/4 mile. top speed, average speed, etc. I've run it for over two years now and love it.

Spot on Paradime and the GPS sensor does not have to be out in the open on top on of the car. This is a hugh push for me to go this route but for now my `69 speedo is spot on until 65 mpg then it starts getting a bit behind. I especially like the fastest mph recorder like directional GPS units it helps when the cops say you were doing 80 and you show them this little feature on your gps and it says 72mph as the fastest in a 70 mph zone. This happened to me driving to King, NC one year. Cop simply says well keep it to the limit, as I said get your radar calibrated. He probably though I was some young kid he could F'K with. Well I'm an older guy he can't F'K with when he's wrong 8>)