Auto Meter Products, Inc, an innovator in high quality, performance instrumentation, has stepped it up another notch with the release of their Nexus system of gauges. They definitely live up to their motto of the “Next generation instruments,’ as the gauges in the Nexus line up features an integrated approach that uses a master control unit, electronic sending units, and displays. Simply put, this series of gauges are the BEST gauges available, hands down. What makes them the best? What other gauges out in the market integrates modern day automotive style CAN electronics (more below), maintains high accuracy and reliability, and provides utmost ease of installation? Take a look at the following features offered by the Nexus gauges.

• Powered by digital microprocessor-controlled, rugged stepper motor drives
• Seven LED illumination colors
• Programmable warnings
• Signal Playpack
• Peaks (Peak Readouts or Peak Readings…define for the readers)
• Built in data logging on SD flash memory for PC downloading
• Expandable to accept more gauges in future

I would probably expand on the following features …the programmable warnings and how it would benefit a diesel owner (flashing color warnings that you can see out of the corner of your eye versus having to take your eyes off the road to look at the needle, benefit of PC downloading for performance tuning, what does a signal playpack do?

Unique in the aftermarket automotive instrumentation world, the Nexus gauges utilize a proprietary digital communications network between gauges. Auto Meter calls this their N1.0TM Network System, which is based on “controller area network” (CAN) technology. CAN is a broadcast, differential serial bus standard, developed originally by Robert Bosch for connecting electronic control units (ECU’s) BACK in the 1980’s. CAN was designed specifically for automotive applications, where noisy environments can cause signal degradation. This technology allows single modular cable connection for easy installation. In other words, you can “daisy chain” the gauges from one to the next, which makes installation, quite literally, a snap!

The Nexus system of gauges consist of three main components: The 2-1/16” “gauge” display (which now functions really as an analog read out), a gauge sending unit, both plugging into the central control unit. The gauges have a 270 degree sweep, quite similar to their mechanical gauges – but with a twist. The gauges utilize precision stepper motor that drives the needle, similar to what you would find in Auto Meter’s short sweep electric gauges. Why a stepper motor? The advantage is that it provides repeatability and accuracy that exceeds a mechanical gauge. In a mechanical gauge, you’re fighting the friction and wear of the moving parts inside, which over time, may change the readout of the gauge. The user adjustable seven color gauge illumination feature can be used to match the factory dash illumination – blue, white, red, orange, green, yellow, and purple. Can’t decide on what color to use? There’s even a built in feature that when selected, the illumination color cross fades from one color to the next – very trick.

Moving on to the sending units. Track Tested & Race Proven, the Nexus system uses precision senders to keep hazardous fluids out of the driver compartment, and perform gauge calibration and sensor diagnostics at power up for extreme accuracy, every time. And that’s what makes the Nexus line so unique – all the engine characteristics are measured with these senders under the hood, and the signals sent directly to the sensor module. From there, the signals are processed, and then broadcast on the CAN bus line to the appropriate gauges. This also makes for an EASY gauge installation, as you now longer have to run pressure tubes and wires directly to the gauges. Additionally, the Nexus system uses the N1.0 network to data log all the channels as well, to review on a PC. All this is stored on a Secure Digital (SD) card accessed on the remote control.

The Nexus gauges are expandable as well. In the event that you want to add more gauges, the following are available:

• Oil Pressure
• Fuel Pressure
• Vacuum / Boost Pressure
• Boost
• Oil Temperature
• Water Temperature
• Nitrous Pressure
• Exhaust Gas Temperature
• Fuel Level
• Fuel Pressure
• Transmission Temperature
• Voltmeter
• Water Temperature

Project Rockstar recently had an engine swap, from a 7.3 liter Powerstroke to a 5.9 Cummins High Pressure Common Rail. To go with the engine overhaul, a gauge overhaul was definitely required. In a diesel truck application, the three typical gauges you’ll find are: Boost, Pyrometer, and Transmission Temperature. The Rockstar has a manual transmission, thus a transmission temperature gauge is not required. The Auto Meter Quad Pod A-pillar gauge mount will be re-used in this application, so in addition to the pyrometer and boost gauge, two more mounting locations were available – now occupied by the oil pressure gauge and fuel pressure gauge. Project Rockstar’s original Powerstroke motor has been replace by a High Output Cummins ISBe Common Rail motor from a 2003 Dodge Ram. Both gauge values are critical information to monitor on a modified Cummins Diesel.

This installation will cover an upgrade of gauges, from a set of Auto Meter Ultra Lites to their premier Nexus gauges. For a detailed installation of gauges on a new Ford Superduty – , see the write up done on Project JAKD.

The final word? The rugged automotive style electronics combined with laboratory precision measurements was the perfect match for Project Rockstar. The gauges have worked flawlessly, and impressed numerous people, leaving them slack jawed and wanting to find out where they can get their own setup. Auto Meter has definitely raised the bar in performance automotive instrumentation.