Optimax Fuel & Air Pressure Gauge Set Alternative

[InjectorService]

I find people often have a hard time diagnosing the Optimax fuel systems. This is usually paired with a lack of tools, and not wanting to buy a $600 set of gauges.

I'm wondering what you guys would be willing to pay for a set of Optimax fuel and air pressure gauges. These gauges would be very similar to the Merc gauges, but with a few differences.

1. There would be no quick disconnects, I just don't see the need for them.
2. The aluminum body would be HDPE. I'm thinking about doing this for a few reasons. One being cost, the other being it is easier to work with, and won't scratch paint etc.

The hose length would be the same as the Merc gauges, I could always do custom lengths, maybe something long enough to view at the helm?

The gauges would be the same exact ones as the Mercury gauge set. No cheap knockoffs. I also want to have the option for a 4" gauge size, up from 2 1/2"

You could use these gauges on any outboard, but they are specifically designed for Optimax motors.

Here is a picture of the factory Merc gauge set. As I said, mine would be very similar in appearance.



Let me know your thoughts on these. If your seriously interested pre-orders would help with the first run of these.

Blake

[sonicss33]

Curious to know your price point before committing. Thanks. PM if you don’t want to post it

[Davidlake]

I am interested. Would like to know the $$ before ordering, though.

[InjectorService]

Curious to know your price point before committing. Thanks. PM if you don’t want to post it

I am interested. Would like to know the $$ before ordering, though.

I'm thinking these will end up around $300 USD, to your door. It is coming out to more than I was originally anticipating, but I feel like that is still reasonable considdering. For example, Harbor Freight's fuel pressure test kit, is $50. Thats for their kit with the fuel bleed off valve. That is for a single, low quality, non-liquid filled gauge (which doesn't do you much good at all). So for essentially 2 gauges, with hoses, quality gauges, and bleed off valves, I don't think its too bad.

EDIT: The Snap-On basic kit lists for $320 as well. I know you can buy them for less depending on the driver/deal, but it gives you an idea. Basically Merc, or Snap-On, your paying $600 for gauges to test an Opti.

I don't have final numbers as I am waiting on some quotes for pressure gauges. Right now I have only looked at and considdered the Ashcroft brand. They are fairly expensive, but its what Mercury uses on theirs. Before commiting I will look at a few other brands of gauges. I don't want any eBay/Amazon stuff though.

Merc also uses the 1008 series gauge. I am thinking I will offer the gauge set with either the 2.5" 1008 gauge (or equivilent), as well as a set with the more accurate 1009 gauges in a 3.5"

Let me know what you guys think. I'm open to suggestions, ideas etc.
Blake

[Davidlake]

Sounds reasonable to me. I am really trying to NOT buy China crap these days. I have been trying not to participate in funding the CCP for years, but with what they pulled on the world, no way.

There, I got to vent again.

[InjectorService]

Sounds reasonable to me. I am really trying to NOT buy China crap these days. I have been trying not to participate in funding the CCP for years, but with what they pulled on the world, no way.

There, I got to vent again.

I agree 100%. I'm trying to make this as much US/Canadian made as possible. The bleed valves & hose are US made, I'm waiting to see where the gauges are made. I fear they are offshore. The fittings will most likely be offshore as well, although I want to contact the valve company. They show US made fittings, but no stock online.

[sonicss33]

I’m in for $300.

[Chaz]

Ashcroft or Wika both make good gauges. I used 4.5" Wika gauges for both my nitrous/fuel flow and I would buy those cheap tire pressure gauges and throw the gauge away and put a 1% certified gauge in its place.
They worked great until someone left the gauge on a tire, forgot and pushed the car,
then ... not so much .
Problem with gauges is .. you can buy reasonable quality, for fair money. And you can get carried away and spend over $1500 a piece on some made out of unobtanium.

The rest of what you have there could be easily done with push-lock connectors and hose. McMaster-Carr has it all but I also use https://www.usplastic.com/ for some of the stuff I need to do soft line nitrous kits .

Just a thought ...

[Markus]

How often does an Optimax owner need these things?

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[InjectorService]

Thanks for the input Chaz, I'll take a look at the Wika gauges as well. I was thinking of doing this with push-lock as well. I haven't priced it that way yet, but it might save some labor. I definately have some decisions and more pricing to do on the whole project. I'm going to price it a few differnt ways, to see what makes the most sense from a $ standpoint, as well as quality.

Markus, basically any time you are having an issue on an Optimax it is a good place to start. The air/fuel system is quite complicated, and if neglected it can ruin your day and cost thousands of dollars. Its not a scarry system once you know what is going on, but there is a lot of misunderstood components, and false or misleading information out there on the internet. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. I assume you bought yourself an Opti?

[Capt.Insane-o]

How often does an Optimax owner need these things?

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Usually right before they find out about the holes in their pistons. The day the last optiflop rattles to it's death will be a day of celebration. Anyhoo I made my own gauge set for around $250.00 ten years ago or so. Not terribly difficult and you should be able to sell some if you can half the retail cost.

[altamate]

If I knew what to do with the gauges, I would be very interested at $3-400 dollars, but I don’t so my motor goes to a shop once in a while for the stuff I can’t figure out.

[altamate]

Usually right before they find out about the holes in their pistons. The day the last optiflop rattles to it's death will be a day of celebration.

I had an inboard before this Optiflop(your words), that was time consuming and expensive, this thing is easy and cheap to live with by comparison. Given the price of a new 4 stroke, I can continue to enjoy the Optiflop for quite some time before the cost is prohibitive. Even taking it to a shop for service is not horrible.

[noli]

.


INJECTORSERVICE,

can you create a YouTube video on how to use this tool?





.

[kellytheaker]

Sounds great having a guage - manifold and connectors Blake . Get it sourced and refined and report back when you know better . A video sounds brilliant but understand how time consuming the tool would be .See how it works out .