Anybody use an aftermarket tach?

[skyhawk5421]

Talking about an early car of course, because if the gauges are a common size a different one should fit right in. I currently have an early 924 tach and it behaves like the needle is too heavy or something, plus I don't think it's accurate. Can I grab one from autozone? Lets see some pics!

[nightheart]

What cars came without tach's? The earliest 924's I've seen even had tach's? I'm not really any help, but am curious.

[skyhawk5421]

Did I imply there are some cars that came without them? I didn't mean to, as far as I know they all have one

[nightheart]

So you want to replace your OEM tach with something you hope is more accurate?

[Gawernator]

Did I imply there are some cars that came without them? I didn't mean to, as far as I know they all have one

You didn't.

[speedracing944]

I have always like the early tachs due to how they swing down clockwise as the revs climb. If I was in your position I would look for an early replacement tach from a parts car.

Speedy

[FrenchToast]

Originally Posted by skyhawk5421

Can I grab one from autozone?

Not this.

Anyway, I second the sourcing a used original tach as well.

As for an aftermarket tach, IIRC the original tach is a touch off, about 200 RPM. Forget if it's north or south.

If you want aftermarket, get a good unit such as VDO, Borg-Warner, Autometer etc. Don't know if Lucas still make gauges?

VDO has supplied gauges for Porsche probably at least since the sixties. They likely still do.

BTW, I think the only Porsche that came without a tach would've been some early 356's. And probably the Porsche tractors, too

Take care!

[Gawernator]

Pssh you don't need a tach or speedo. Just listen to the engine!

[924RACR]

I've used a few different ones. One racecar (not mine) was fitted with some aftermarket POS Autometer or whatever. Worked, just not nearly as good quality as the stock VDO gauge. We later scrounged a replacement stock one and used that for a while, till it blew up (did I mention the car had a wiring problem?). These were on early 924's.

I definitely would recommend sticking with stock, both for quality and looks.

Both racecars eventually ended up running AIM Mychron3 dashes/data loggers, which also have tach functions. My 924 racecar still has it, and it's a badass piece of equipment. Programmable shift lights and all. But not really suitable for a street car:


Oh, not trivial to install (if you want the speedo to work), needs to be mounted somewhere, and did I mention it costs upward of $1200?

Crappy pic of the shift lights in action...

[skyhawk5421]

Hmm, not looking to spend $1200 haha, but I want to try an aftermarket one. I didn't say my tach was bad, or maybe it is, but all the stock early ones are slow and they swing a lot. I'm on my second stock one

[Gawernator]

Never had a problem with the tach on my '83, now the fuel gauge is a different story.

[Joakim]

I have problems with my trip and the total kilometer. The main shaft slips on the number wheels, i tought that the problem were in the shaft gear that slipped and I glued it to shaft but I think the shaft is moved from its place now..

Any ideas?

[Gawernator]

Try this? Odometer Repair

[924RACR]

Maybe you need a blower, to make that tach swing faster? j/k

[skyhawk5421]

Originally Posted by 924RACR

Maybe you need a blower, to make that tach swing faster? j/k

Hah, or a different car?


Just so everybody knows what I mean,
Turbocharged Porsche 924 acceleration - YouTube
See how the arm swings down further that it needs to? That drives me nuts!

[924RACR]

To make sure I understand... are you talking about the lowest rev point between shifts, before clutch engagement?

FWIW... I've found egauges.com (no relation, etc etc) great to work with, and excellent prices - both for gauges and senders, and they carry the full VDO line:
VDO: Cockpit Black Series Gauges: Tachometers - In Dash (electronic) - eGauges.com

Cockpit is the stock gauge style for our cars - though I don't see a tach there that wouldn't look too small...