Autometer 5 Sport-Comp 160 Mp

OVERVIEW

When you are pushing your air-cooled Volkswagen to the limit, whether it is a high-revving street Beetle or a monster-engine sand rail, you need instrumentation that can keep up with the pace. The AutoMeter 5-inch Sport-Comp 160 MPH Mechanical Speedometer is the gold standard for performance enthusiasts who demand precision and a classic, aggressive aesthetic. Featuring the iconic Sport-Comp styling with its signature black face, bold white numbering, and a high-contrast red pointer, this gauge ensures that you can monitor your speed at a glance, even in the heat of competition or under the glare of the midday sun. The massive 5-inch (127mm) diameter provides a commanding presence in your dashboard, filling out custom housings or oversized dash cutouts perfectly, while the 160 MPH sweep gives you plenty of room to track those top-end runs that stock VW speedometers simply cannot handle.

Engineered for durability and long-term reliability, this mechanical speedometer utilizes a traditional 5/8''-18 threaded cable input and a .104'' square drive. Unlike electronic gauges that require complex wiring and pulse sensors, this mechanical unit offers a direct, analog connection to your drivetrain, providing that smooth, instantaneous needle movement that purists love. It also features a built-in, resettable trip odometer, allowing you to track fuel stops or leg distances during off-road excursions and rallies. While this unit is designed for universal high-performance applications, it is a favorite for custom VW builds, dune buggies, and Manx-style shells where a rugged, oversized speedometer is required to match the scale of the vehicle. Please note that because this is a competition-grade instrument, it will not interface directly with a factory Volkswagen speedometer cable; it requires a custom cable solution to bridge the gap between your VW transaxle and the AutoMeter input.

FITMENT

This gauge is a universal high-performance instrument. For air-cooled Volkswagen applications, it is ideal for the following models (requires custom cable and dash modification):

• Volkswagen Beetle (Standard & Super): 1946-1979
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1955-1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2 (Transporter/Kombi): 1950-1979
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1961-1973
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973-1975
• Dune Buggies: Meyers Manx, EMPI, and custom glass shells
• Sand Rails & Off-Road Chassis: Chenowth, Berrien, and custom tube frames
• Custom Trikes: VW-powered three-wheelers

SPECS

• Brand: AutoMeter
• Series: Sport-Comp
• Gauge Type: Mechanical Speedometer
• Diameter: 5 Inches (127mm)
• Speed Range: 0-160 MPH
• Input Thread: 5/8''-18 Threaded Cable Input
• Drive Type: .104'' Square Drive
• Calibration: 1,000 RPM at 60 MPH (Industry Standard)
• Odometer: Integrated 6-digit main odometer
• Trip Meter: Resettable trip odometer included
• Face Color: Black with white numerals
• Bezel: Silver/Aluminum finish
• Pointer: High-visibility Red
• Lighting: Perimeter Incandescent (Includes red and green bulb covers)
• Mounting Hole Size: 4-5/8'' (117.5mm)

PRO TIPS

1. Solving the VW Cable Conflict

As noted in the specifications, this AutoMeter speedometer will NOT work with your stock Volkswagen speedometer cable. The factory VW cable uses a specific press-fit or small threaded end at the speedometer head, whereas this Sport-Comp unit uses the American standard 5/8''-18 threaded input with a .104'' square drive. To install this in your Bug or Bus, you must order a custom speedometer cable that features the VW transaxle drive end (which goes into the front driver-side spindle on Beetles) and the 5/8''-18 threaded end for the gauge. Many specialty cable shops can build these to your specific length requirements, which is especially helpful if you have moved your dashboard or stretched your chassis.

2. Managing Cable Bends for Smooth Operation

Mechanical speedometers rely on a physical spinning core to transmit data. If the needle on your new AutoMeter gauge is "bouncing" or "fluttering" at low speeds, it is almost always due to a bind in the cable. When routing your custom cable from the spindle to the back of the 5-inch gauge, ensure there are no sharp kinks or tight loops. You want the largest radius possible for every curve. Additionally, since the 5-inch gauge is quite deep and the cable input sticks out further, make sure you have at least 6 to 8 inches of clearance behind the dashboard to allow the cable to exit the back of the speedometer without being pressed against the body or wiring harness.

3. Lighting and Visibility Customization

The Sport-Comp series uses perimeter incandescent lighting, which provides a classic "glow" around the edges of the dial. AutoMeter includes red and green "boots" or covers that slide over the small light bulbs behind the face. For the best look in an air-cooled VW, many builders prefer the red covers to reduce night-blindness during long desert hauls or to match other performance gauges. If you find the incandescent bulbs too dim for your liking, you can upgrade them to 194-style LED wedge bulbs. However, be aware that standard LEDs may not dim correctly unless you use a dedicated LED-compatible dimmer or rheostat.