Tachometers

How to Choose a Tachometer Gauge Size and Mounting Style

Start with where you'll mount the tach, then pick a size that fits that spot and reads clearly from the driver's seat. You can mount a tachometer gauge on the dashboard, on the steering column, or in the instrument cluster. Some tachs drop into a pre-cut dash hole, while pedestal-mount tachs sit on top of or under the dash.

Sizes here include 2-1/16, 2-1/8, 2-5/8, 3, 3-3/8, 4-1/2, and 5 in. Smaller faces tuck into tight panels, and larger faces are easier to read at a glance. You can also choose an analog needle face or an LED digital tach with green numbers and a bar graph.

For a pedestal-mount or column-mount setup, check our gauge mounts & accessories, including an aluminum dash-mount tachometer bracket with quick-turn fasteners. Color, style, cylinder compatibility, and signal input matter too, and our gauge selection guide walks you through each one. Building a full panel? Shop all aftermarket gauges to match your tach.

Shift Light Tachometers and Peak RPM Recall

A shift light tachometer turns on a light at an RPM you set, so you can shift on time without staring at the needle. Peak RPM recall records the highest RPM your engine reached until you reset it. That lets you check your top RPM after a pass or a hard pull.

Pick a shift light tach when you want the warning built into the gauge you're already watching. SpeedHut tachometers include a 2-1/16-inch, 10,000-RPM tach with a built-in shift light. SpeedHut also offers 2-1/16-inch 10K, 2-5/8-inch 6K, 3-3/8-inch 10K, and 4-1/2-inch 8K Porsche series tachs.

Happy with your current tach? You can add a standalone light from our shift & warning lights instead. Mount it where you'll catch it without taking your eyes off the road or track.

Where an Electric Tachometer Gets Its Signal and How to Wire It

An electric tachometer reads an electrical pulse signal from the negative side of the ignition coil, the engine ECM, or an aftermarket ignition control box. Confirm your signal source before you buy, since it determines how you'll connect the tach.

Electric gauges are easier to install than mechanical gauges because you route wires instead of tubing. Our breakdown of electric vs mechanical gauges covers the differences in detail. Typical tachometer wiring looks like this:

• Red wire to switched 12V key-on power
• Black wire to ground
• Green wire to coil negative or the ignition box tach output
• White wire to dash lighting

For full directions, follow our step-by-step guide on how to install a tachometer. Need supporting parts to finish the job? Shop our tachometer components.

Reproduction Tachometers for Classic Corvette, Chevelle, and C/K Trucks

If you're restoring a classic Chevy, a reproduction tachometer keeps the factory look in the original dash location. Options include reproduction tachs for 1968-1971 and 1972-1974 Corvette. You'll also find a 1969 Chevelle dash cluster tach and a 1970 Chevelle/Monte Carlo tach, both with a 5,500-RPM redline.

Truck builders can add a tach to 1967-1972 Chevy/GMC C/K trucks, Blazer/Jimmy, and Suburban models with an 8,000-RPM tachometer conversion set. Match the tach to your exact model year, since these dash clusters differ by generation. Check the redline and face style too, so the new tach looks right next to your original gauges.

Restoring the rest of the cluster? Shop speedometers to pair with your tach. You can also browse all speedometers & tachometers to compare more instrument options for your build.

Tachometers From Classic Instruments, Equus, VDO, and Stewart Warner

You can shop tachometers from several gauge brands here, each with its own look, size, and RPM range. Classic Instruments AutoCross and Velocity tachs come in 2-1/8 to 5 in. sizes, including 10,000-RPM faces. Face options include gray/yellow and black/white, plus a 3-3/8-inch model with a performance bezel.

If you want a large face, the Equus 8000 Series tachometer measures 5 in. in diameter. The Stewart Warner Green Line Series offers a 3-3/8-inch electrical tachometer if you want a mid-size face.

For engines that don't need a high-rev face, the VDO Cockpit International tachometer reads to 4,000 RPM. Compare faces, bezels, and RPM ranges side by side to find the tach that fits your dash and your engine. Then check signal input and mounting style before you add it to your cart.