- My model of MX-5 is: NC 3.0
- I’m based near: Worcester
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on fitting a proper oil pressure gauge
Finally tired of the almost meaningless Mickey Mouse “oil pressure gauge” in my NC. Has anyone fitted a proper live gauge and oil feed from an engine takeoff? I’ve found a sandwich plate that fits between the engine and the oil filter but need advice on best (easiest!) way to install the plumbing and a proper gauge in the cabin.
Await your wisdom…. Sunday Driver
If you are just a Sunday driver then no need to get one. If you are more than a Sunday driver, then the aluminium oil filter housing has been known to crack when using a sandwich plate.
I did a separate gauge in a gauge pod
Mazda MX5/Miata NC Mk3 - Performance Episode 8 - Oil Cooler & Temp Gauge
Or I replaced the OEM gauge with a digital one
Mazda MX5 NC Mk3 - Styling Mods - Episode 14 - Rotarytronics digital gauge
The Rotarytronics V2 kit is fantastic and has an included pressure/temp sensor that replaces the OEM pressure switch - all integrated into the cluster. Not cheap but I’ve got one sitting on the table at home, ready to install. Great bit of kit.
Interesting topic that I often ponder.
Does anyone know whether the filter block sandwich plate is anywhere near the standard sensor? Being a mech eng myself I know there are always compromises in a system, and of course I’ve no idea how the pressure varies throughout the system anyway, but there must be a spectrum of better/less good places to take the reading.
Edit… just took a shufti at the Rotarytronics which apparently takes the pressure at the same place as the standard pressure switch. Which at first sight you’d probably think isn’t the worst place.
Thanks for the valuable feedback. Car is Tech Sport with BBR treatment, Wilwoods and comp coilovers. I live 6 miles from Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb and enjoy the odd track day so you can understand my concerns. Stock sensor is just a pressure switch… once triggered, the car uses RPM and Temp to compute a “theoretical” pressure reading. Almost useless. It is about as valuable as a heart rate monitor that just tells you whether you have a pulse… or not!! Exisiting ‘gauge’ is nailed on to the PCB, ergo a proper gauge needs a separate location. Will check out the Gauge Pod option.
Thanks again, Sunday Driver
Fitted sandwich plate to My ND and run two gauges from it oil temp oil pressure now for almost 7 years there cannot be much of a gap between what you want to do and what I done ……but I did have to mod mine a little 
Googled the Rotarytronics V2 kit. Wow. Did not know about it. Please keep me up to speed with the installation. HOWEVER… I have one reservation. I cannot find a terrestrial address for Rotarytronics. Following a bad purchase experience a year or so ago I no longer buy from an interweb vendor who cannot be found on Waze. If I cannot bang on their door, they do not get the business. Plan B looks like the Exiled-Viking system.
They are not based in the UK, I cant remember what part of EU they are in, but Im sure its in the video. Pay with credit card or paypal and you are covered.
Thanks. Yup, had noted the Dollar pricing. Did a global address/phone search for them, finally found a one man band in Romania. Will wait for the Cydonia5 feedback.
Sunday Driver
I believe Rumania is the home address
Have no doubts about Rotarytronics and Ciprian, the guy who has developed it.
It’s a fantastic little thing that he has developed and it should have been on the NC at the factory build stage.
I had a built fully forged NC 2 unit dropped in my NC1 with a turbocharger installation and I chose the Rotarytronics set up to monitor all the important bits. It simply hasn’t missed a beat and gives me excellent piece of mind while I’m out squirting the car on road or track.
I can’t recommend it enough if I’m honest.
1 Like
