2-1/16 Sport-Comp, Nitrous Pre ssure Gauge, 2000 PSI

OVERVIEW

When you''re pushing your air-cooled Volkswagen to the limit with a nitrous oxide system, precision isn''t just a luxuryit''s a requirement for survival. The AutoMeter 2-1/16 Sport-Comp Nitrous Pressure Gauge is the industry standard for drag racers and high-performance street enthusiasts who demand absolute accuracy. In the world of VW drag racing, where bottle temperature and pressure can fluctuate wildly based on the weather at the track, having a real-time reading of your nitrous levels is the difference between a record-breaking pass and a melted piston. This gauge features the iconic Sport-Comp styling, with its signature black face, bold white numbering, and silver bezel, ensuring it looks right at home in a custom Beetle dash or a rugged sand rail pod. It utilizes a high-quality bronze Bourdon tube movement to provide the mechanical reliability that professional racers have trusted for decades.

Engineered for the harshest environments, this 0-2000 PSI gauge allows you to monitor your bottle pressure with extreme granularity. For a nitrous system to perform consistently, you generally want to see pressures between 900 and 950 PSI; anything less and your tune-up goes rich, anything more and you risk a dangerous lean condition. The AutoMeter ATM3328 gives you the visual confirmation needed to know exactly when to turn on the bottle heater or when to purge the lines. Because it is a mechanical gauge designed for high-pressure gas, it provides a direct, lag-free response that electronic sensors sometimes struggle to match. Whether you are running a weekend bracket car or a dual-carbureted street sleeper, this gauge provides the rugged, competition-proven performance that has made AutoMeter the go-to choice for the air-cooled community for over fifty years.

FITMENT

While this gauge is technically a universal high-performance component, it is specifically designed to fit the standard 2-1/16 inch (52.4mm) cutouts found in most Volkswagen aftermarket dashboards and gauge pods. It is a perfect fit for the following applications:

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All years (1946-1979) using custom dash panels or under-dash pods.
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus / Transporter: All years (1950-1979) utilizing overhead or dash-mounted gauge clusters.
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Fastback, Squareback, Notchback): 1961-1973.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1955-1974.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974.
• Meyers Manx & Custom Dune Buggies: All models using standard 2-1/16 inch gauge holes.
• Sand Rails & Off-Road Race Cars: All custom tubular chassis applications.

SPECS

The AutoMeter Sport-Comp Nitrous Pressure Gauge is built to withstand the vibrations and G-forces common in high-performance VW racing. Below are the technical specifications:

• Product Series: Sport-Comp
• Gauge Type: Nitrous Pressure
• Pressure Range: 0-2000 PSI
• Gauge Diameter: 2-1/16 inches (52.4mm)
• Movement Type: Mechanical Bourdon Tube
• Face Color: Black
• Bezel Finish: Silver / Aluminum
• Pointer Color: Fluorescent Red
• Lighting: Incandescent (Around-the-dial white light)
• Fitting Size: 1/8 inch NPT male connection
• Includes: Mounting Hardware and T-bulb/Socket assembly
• Accuracy: ANSI Grade B (+/- 2% of span)

PRO TIPS

1. Always Use a High-Pressure Isolation Line

When installing a mechanical nitrous pressure gauge inside the cabin of your Beetle or Ghia, safety is paramount. You should never run a hard line directly from the bottle to the back of the gauge. Instead, use a high-quality, braided stainless steel -4AN line or a dedicated nitrous gauge isolation hose. For the ultimate in safety, many racers prefer to use a gauge isolator kit. This keeps the high-pressure nitrous oxide outside of the passenger compartment while using a secondary fluid to transfer the pressure reading to the gauge. If you do choose to run the nitrous line directly to the dash, ensure the line is properly grommeted through the firewall to prevent chaffing and potential leaks.

2. Optimize Performance with Bottle Pressure Management

Nitrous oxide is highly sensitive to temperature. On a cold morning at the dunes, your pressure might drop to 600 PSI, causing your engine to stumble and run incredibly rich. Conversely, on a hot summer day, pressure can spike over 1100 PSI, which can cause an engine-destroying lean spike. Use your AutoMeter gauge to monitor these changes closely. If you see the needle dipping below 900 PSI, it is time to use a bottle heater. If it is too high, you may need to use a cold towel or purge the system. Consistency in your PSI readings on the Sport-Comp gauge is the secret to consistent ETs on the drag strip.

3. Proper Mounting for High-Vibration Environments

Air-cooled VW engines, especially those with aggressive cams and solid mounts, generate significant vibration. When mounting your ATM3328 gauge, ensure that the mounting bracket is secure and that the gauge is not vibrating against the metal of the dashboard. Using a small amount of rubber insulation or a dedicated rubber-lined gauge pod can help dampen these vibrations. This protects the delicate Bourdon tube inside the gauge from premature wear and ensures that the needle remains steady and easy to read even when you''re launching hard at 6,000 RPM. Always double-check your 1/8 inch NPT connection with a soapy water solution to ensure there are no micro-leaks after the first few heat cycles.