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Guys,

I feel like an idiot. I think I jumped the gun when (with other mods) I purchased a-pillar guage setup for my 01 civic. The three guages are from Autometer, the "autolite" series: The first guage displays lean/rich, the second, water temperature, and the third, electric. It looks impressive, but I'm not sure it is providing anything more than what the stock provides. My 01 civic has a temperature guage although, not actual numbers, i.e., the stock just indicates, "cold" and "hot" range, the electric guage from Autometer basically hovers around "14" when I'm running. What am I going to be doing on a practical level when the electric goes to 0 or above 14; In other words, wouldn't I know if I'm having issues electrical power issues without this guage? And finally, it looks cool to see the leds run from lean to rich but I'm not one for show. Wouldn't you know intuitively from the car without having this guage whether your car was running lean/rich? I guess I don't understand and don't have much experience with the various guages people sport, but are these mainly for superficial reasons. I feel like I wasted my hard earned money. Please illuminate me otherwise.

Thanks in advance!

 
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well ur voltage gauge will be useful if you install a sound system so you can see the drain it has on yoru battery.

As for running lean or rich, you can tell somewhat, but not easily enough to feel slight changes. but that is a gauge you wont need unless you start doing some serious modding.

 
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The volt meter is good if you're bashing your electrical system hard (stereo, monitors, play station etc...), the narrowband A/F is nothing more than a light show. The water temp is good to have if you either dont trust the stock one, want an accurate reading, or beat the car hard and have overheat concerns.
Most people buy gauges to suit their own particular needs.
F/I you get boost, wideband A/F, oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, egt
Stereo, you get a volt meter
Track car you get oil pressure, oil temp, water temp
Rice boys get a narrow band A/F for every cylinder so they have 4 of those things flashing back and forth.

 
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Thanks for your expertise guys.