never used one, never really needed to know the temp of oil in motor or trans, just used the water temp to tell when motor was ready to go. what helps an alcohol motor is a heating pad or two on the bottom of the oil pan. heat up the motor before going to the track to get heat into the oil. after coming home heat it back up to clear out the water and alcohol out of the oil. get and old vacuum cleaner and vacuum out the motor while doing it.