To NGauge or not to NGauge that is the question

[Valkyrie14]

I am wanting to learn how to tune and I am going to get an HP tuner. I also like the NGauge. Right now all I have is headers and a CAI (I also have NOS but don’t use it). I want to learn how to tune while I am still basic. My build plan includes a stage 2 cam and a blower. By the time I add those I want to have some experience.

Question is, will I benefit from the NGauge or will it tell me a bunch of information I won’t make much sense of. OR will it be a great learning tool and advance my learning curve?

Side question: you can leave the NGauge plugged in all the time...right? I had a Diablo that if you left it plugged in would heat up to roughly the surface temperature of the sun.

[blake-b]

The Ngauge reads from the OBD II port so it can show whatever parameters your ECU will output such as temp, oil pressure, AIT, etc.

I don't see it as a learning tool, just a way to monitor multiple parameters without having to use several gauges. You can also set it up so you can be alerted via colors. E.G. you can set your oil pressure to show a red background until it gets to a certain temp, then it can change to green. If it gets too hot you can have it go red again, or blue, or yellow or whatever colors it offers. It has LEDs also you can use as a shift light as well although I found it wasn't very bright for daytime use and a dedicated shift lift worked much better.

You can leave it plugged in all the time.

[Valkyrie14]

Originally Posted by blake-b

The Ngauge reads from the OBD II port so it can show whatever parameters your ECU will output such as temp, oil pressure, AIT, etc.

I don't see it as a learning tool, just a way to monitor multiple parameters without having to use several gauges. You can also set it up so you can be alerted via colors. E.G. you can set your oil pressure to show a red background until it gets to a certain temp, then it can change to green. If it gets too hot you can have it go red again, or blue, or yellow or whatever colors it offers. It has LEDs also you can use as a shift light as well although I found it wasn't very bright for daytime use and a dedicated shift lift worked much better.

You can leave it plugged in all the time.

This helps. The NGauge is not what I am looking for right now. Since it seems like ATF ratio is a good entry level indicator for getting into tuning, I may be leaning towards buying from Scroggins who includes a ATF gauge in the HP VCM suite package.

[blake-b]

Do you mean AFR and not ATF? When I see ATF, I think automatic transmission fluid. haha

I only use the Ngauge as a gauge. I do not tune with it. I like the 6 parameter display where I monitor AFR (in lambda), oil pressure, n20 bottle pressure, boost, coolant, and RPMs. I find looking at the Ngauge is faster for me than looking at the tach for RPMs.

[Valkyrie14]

I am thinking the NGauge will be better for me once I have done a few more installs.

ATF could have also been Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In my line of work all three could be possible to work into a conversation.

[blake-b]

In my line of work, I am using to seeing BATF....