Temperature Gauge Options for Third Gen Conversion
Temperature Gauge Options for Third Gen Conversion I need to install a temperature gauge in my third gen, which now has a `99 Ls1 in it. I have the 2 lead sensor/sender coming out of the side of the drivers side head. I have seen other threads on adding an aftermarket temperature gauge, but I would really like to avoid drilling and tapping anywhere into the engine if possible. My only requirement for the gauge would be that it fits into my pillar gauge pod.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: western KY
I am assuming your talking about a third gen fbody. If so and wanting to use your factory cluster you can run your factory third gen coolant temp sender in the pass head. If you are wanting to run a aftermarket gauge such as autometer just use their sender in the same spot but you will probably have to have an adapter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
To get the factory gauge in my Blazer to work, I took a new Delphi sender to a local machine shop and had them turn it in a lathe, then thread it to 12-1.5mm. Fits just like the sensor in the drivers head. It is said that the gauge is less accurate being in the back of the passenger head, so I didn't want to make it worse by adding all those adapters to get the 3/8" NPT in the head. The sender really needs to be in the coolant flow. Drilling the head was definatly not an option for me.
Do you want to keep the stock gauge in the dash working? If so go to a local parts store and get a coolant sensor for a 98 Pontiac Formula LS1 (not Camaro) and it should be a 3 wire instead of a 2 wire. Using this sensor allows you to use 1 of the wires for your factory gauge. I think at advance auto it is part number WT5121 or AcDelco part number 12551708.
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Do you want to keep the stock gauge in the dash working? If so go to a local parts store and get a coolant sensor for a 98 Pontiac Formula LS1 (not Camaro) and it should be a 3 wire instead of a 2 wire. Using this sensor allows you to use 1 of the wires for your factory gauge. I think at advance auto it is part number WT5121 or AcDelco part number 12551708.
I used the LS1 3 wire with the stock gauge. Works great. Checkout my post with the LS swap into 3rdgen wiring diagram. It has the part number listed and may help with some other stuff.
