The purpose of this write up is to show the way I believe is best to install a oil pressure sensor. There are 3 most common places to put your sensor or sending unit.
1. In a oil filter sandwich adapter plate.
This is a plate with threaded holes in it for sensors, sending units, or plugs. It screws on where the oil filter does from the factory and then you screw your oil filter to that.
2. Rear galley plug.
This is simply a plug in the engine block that goes to a oil passage. It is located between the outlet of the turbocharger and the intercooler if your looking straight down at the engine.
3. Front galley plug.
This is the same as the rear but at the front of the engine just to the left of the alternator if your standing in front of the car. The only difference between this plug and the rear one is this one is threaded with a factory dummy light sensor in it.
I prefer using the front oil galley plug for my sensor/sending unit for a few reasons. One is because it is cheaper. The most you would have to buy extra to use this location is another plug with a different thread hole in it. I got a prosport one for $13 shipped. This is much cheaper than a sandwich adapter! A sandwich adapter also adds extra parts which raises the risk for a leak, can have clearance issues, and puts your oil filter a little closer to the ground.
While there may not be much of a pressure difference I prefer the front galley plug because it is only inches from the oil pump. The oil passages branch off before they get to the rear galley plug so, this may cause a slight difference (probably not enough to make much if any difference) in pressure readings between the front and rear galley plug locations. My opinion is that the rear galley plug location is better than a sandwich adapter but, not as good as the front galley plug. With all that said you can make your own decision on where to mount your hardware. Now on to the install.
1. In a oil filter sandwich adapter plate.
This is a plate with threaded holes in it for sensors, sending units, or plugs. It screws on where the oil filter does from the factory and then you screw your oil filter to that.
2. Rear galley plug.
This is simply a plug in the engine block that goes to a oil passage. It is located between the outlet of the turbocharger and the intercooler if your looking straight down at the engine.
3. Front galley plug.
This is the same as the rear but at the front of the engine just to the left of the alternator if your standing in front of the car. The only difference between this plug and the rear one is this one is threaded with a factory dummy light sensor in it.
I prefer using the front oil galley plug for my sensor/sending unit for a few reasons. One is because it is cheaper. The most you would have to buy extra to use this location is another plug with a different thread hole in it. I got a prosport one for $13 shipped. This is much cheaper than a sandwich adapter! A sandwich adapter also adds extra parts which raises the risk for a leak, can have clearance issues, and puts your oil filter a little closer to the ground.
While there may not be much of a pressure difference I prefer the front galley plug because it is only inches from the oil pump. The oil passages branch off before they get to the rear galley plug so, this may cause a slight difference (probably not enough to make much if any difference) in pressure readings between the front and rear galley plug locations. My opinion is that the rear galley plug location is better than a sandwich adapter but, not as good as the front galley plug. With all that said you can make your own decision on where to mount your hardware. Now on to the install.