Building a Top Dragster and trying to decide between gages or the racepak . My Top Sportsman car had a racepak and it was hard to read it on a run being ive never been in a dragster i dont know if it would be easier to read because its alot closer in the dragster. Would love some input Thanks

What are you doing looking at your dash while going down the track in 6 seconds? You don’t need a RacePak dash but you do need a data recorder so use gauges if you don’t like the dash.

I switched to a racepak dash around 10 years ago and prefer it over gauges. You can program the lights on the dash around your sensors---I set low and high parameters for oil pressure, water temp, vaccuum and fuel pressures---if something isn't right, the lights will start flashing. To me that is easier than trying to check the gauges as I'm going down track.

They are definitely harder to read than gauges in a dragster too.

Since you’re building a TD and going to have a data logger anyway, you might consider installing the digital dash along with any super important gauges installed separately. This gives you a backup in case of problems with the digital dash or logger. In my case, as long as I have a water temp gauge I can do without everything else if I had to.

quote:

Originally posted by 183N:
They are definitely harder to read than gauges in a dragster too.

Since you’re building a TD and going to have a data logger anyway, you might consider installing the digital dash along with any super important gauges installed separately. This gives you a backup in case of problems with the digital dash or logger. In my case, as long as I have a water temp gauge I can do without everything else if I had to.

On my new car I really do not have room for both so I think I will go back to standard gauges. I have the RPM digital dash on my Front Engine Dragster and I like it, I can go through the screens and see trans temp, oil temp, voltage, brake pressure and many other things.

But you can not see it going down the track and several of the other brands have had a lot of problems with the dash. New car will be back to simple. I will always have a logger but not the dash. IMHO.

I believe I have a set of racepak gauges in the shop that probably only have two seasons on them. I would sell if someone is interested. Half new price.

Do you have a trans temp gauge, white face?

RacePak customer service sucks for what it’s worth...

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Originally posted by 1320racer:
Do you have a trans temp gauge, white face?

Shouldn't that say "paleface"?

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
Do you have a trans temp gauge, white face?

I will check for sure. But I'm almost certain I didn't have trans temp. They are white face though.

quote:

Originally posted by "The Bender":

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
Do you have a trans temp gauge, white face?

Shouldn't that say "paleface"?

LOL probably! Or ashamed face.

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
What are you doing looking at your dash while going down the track in 6 seconds? You don’t need a RacePak dash but you do need a data recorder so use gauges if you don’t like the dash.

On my digital dash I have engine RPM, oil pressure, oil temp, water temp and volts. I glance down at water temp and oil pressure before I move into stage. I never ever look at the dash going down the track, I am either looking down track or at the other car, I always felt that's how races are won, correct me if I am wrong

Seems they have a reliability issue with the back light and unlike gauges, repair is not easy.
I’d definitely use analog gauges.
What I used.
-Volts
-Mech Eng oil press with Low press light
-Trans pan temp
-water temp
All 270 sweep
No tach. Delay box (the most important appliance in your dash) front and center to avoid mistakes.
Data collector is a must on any sportsman class race car. I Measured a long list of process variables On my long car. Data is so helpful when a run is off I you hear something

Personally I’m looking at the flashing lights from my decades old Matty device. No need to look at the other car.

That’s why I win so many races!

lts been a long time since i looked at anything till the shutdown area

quote:

Originally posted by "The Bender":

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
Do you have a trans temp gauge, white face?

Shouldn't that say "paleface"?

OMG that was good