Autometer 2-5/8 Sport-Comp Oi

OVERVIEW

For any serious air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast, monitoring oil pressure isn''t just a suggestionit''s a survival tactic. Unlike modern water-cooled engines, your VW Type 1, Type 2, or Type 4 engine relies heavily on its oil supply to not only lubricate moving parts but also to carry heat away from the cylinders and heads. The AutoMeter 2-5/8'' Sport-Comp Oil Pressure Gauge (ATM3542) provides the professional-grade accuracy you need to protect your investment. Featuring the iconic Sport-Comp styling with a black face, silver bezel, and high-contrast red pointer, this gauge offers a classic "race-ready" look that complements the interior of a vintage Beetle, a rugged Baja Bug, or a high-performance sand rail perfectly.

What sets this Sport-Comp gauge apart is its oversized 2-5/8 inch diameter, which provides a significantly larger viewing area than standard 2-1/16 inch gauges. This makes it much easier to monitor your engine''s vitals at a glance while navigating rough terrain or pushing high RPMs on the track. This model utilizes AutoMeter''s legendary air-core meter movement, engineered specifically to handle the high-vibration environment of an air-cooled flat-four engine. Since this is an electric gauge, it includes a high-quality 1/8'' NPT sender, meaning you don''t have to worry about running messy, pressurized oil lines into your cabin. It is the gold standard for drivers who demand precision and durability in their instrumentation.

FITMENT

This gauge is a universal-fit performance instrument commonly used in the following air-cooled Volkswagen applications (may require a mounting pod or dash modification):

• VW Beetle (Standard & Super): 1950-1979
• VW Bus / Type 2 (Split & Bay Window): 1950-1979
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956-1974
• VW Type 3 (Fastback, Squareback, Notchback): 1961-1973
• VW Thing (Type 181): 1973-1975
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sandrails, Meyers Manx, and Kit Cars using VW-based chassis.

SPECS

• Brand: AutoMeter
• Series: Sport-Comp
• Part Number: ATM3542
• Gauge Diameter: 2-5/8 Inches (66.7mm)
• Pressure Range: 0-100 PSI
• Gauge Type: Electric
• Movement: Rugged Air-Core
• Face Color: Black
• Bezel Color: Silver
• Pointer Color: Red
• Lighting: Perimeter Incandescent (Includes bulb and socket)
• Sender Included: 1/8'' NPT Electric Oil Pressure Sender
• Adapter Included: 1/4'' NPT Adapter

PRO TIPS

Tip 1: Use a Remote Mounting Kit for the Sender

Air-cooled VW engines are notorious for high-frequency vibrations that can eventually fatigue the mounting threads of an electric sender if it is bolted directly into the engine block or a heavy T-fitting. We highly recommend using a stainless steel braided remote-mount line to move the sender off the engine and onto the firewall. This isolates the sender from heat and vibration, significantly extending the life of the unit and ensuring more stable pressure readings.

Tip 2: Ensure a Perfect Ground Connection

Since this is an electric gauge, the accuracy of your reading depends entirely on the quality of your electrical circuit. Many air-cooled VWs have painted or powder-coated tinware and chassis components that can interfere with a good ground. Always ensure the sender body has a clean, metal-to-metal contact for its ground path. If you are using Teflon tape on the sender threads, use it sparingly; excessive tape can act as an insulator and cause the gauge to read incorrectly or not at all.

Tip 3: Gauge Sizing and Placement

The 2-5/8'' gauge is larger than the "standard" small gauge size. Before ordering, verify that you have adequate space on your dashboard or that your mounting pod is specifically designed for the 2-5/8'' (66.7mm) format. For Dune Buggies and Sandrails, these larger gauges are preferred because they are much easier to read through a helmet or while vibrating at high speeds off-road. If you are mounting this in a stock Beetle dash, you will likely need an under-dash pod or a custom center console.