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attempting to decide on gauges.....

7.5K views 44 replies 18 participants last post by  eljorge81005  
#1 ·
so I've been scouring the net for the past few days and can't seem to find any gauges I like... I picked up a 3 pod for the center cubby in the 52mm size, but now I can't seem to find anything... I'd love the Defi TRD's but I'm not about to spend the $1700 asking price... The Stri's are my next choice, kind of, but they're still outta my price range...

looking to do Oil Press, Volt, idk about the third, probably Oil Temp...

Anyone out there know of any reasonably inexpensive gauges (not cheap)? I've had APC and Faze in previous vehicles and I liked em there when I was a "Ricer", but I'm over that now and I just want something that will blend in better....

feng shui if you will.... lol

I invite you to post pics of your gauges as well so I can gather ideas.

Thank You
 
#3 ·
I went functional, affordable, somewhat discreet. Boost, oil temp, oil pressure. Autometer sportcomp gauges, work great. http://www.autoanything.com/gauges/65A4125A0A0.aspx

I was initially looking at the pro-comp, but I don't much care for the way they are lit as I tend to do quite a bit more night time driving...

Then there is Equus... and they just remind me too much of the APC and Faze's, more indeglo style...
 
#6 ·
^prosport are garbage and there tint never matches from batch to batch. Stack, autometer, Defi are all nice.
 
#8 ·
I really like the Prosport Guages. I think I spent a little under 400 for a oil pressure, oil temp and a wideband. The wideband was the most expensive. But the others were about 80 bucks a piece iirc.
 
#10 ·
#14 ·
I know you weren't asking me but I drilled a 1/2" hole in the side of the cubby and ran the wires for the sensors down the passenger side. I popped the rubber grommet that goes thru the firewall and cursed the wires thru the rubber. I had to extend my wires since they weren't long enough (i extended them at the cubby since it was easier to cut and solder and also because the wiring is less prone to the elements inside). I had DDPR do the power for it since its at the shop for a few other things.
 
#16 ·
so this is what I started with...

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And this is what I had after about 30-45min with a hacksaw and a Dremel...

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I've got a guy at a local stereo shop that's going to wrap it in vinyl and smooth out the edges for about $30... Will post pics of the finished product.
 
#18 ·
#22 ·
I love my Defi's. I went with blue because my radio led's are blue and I plan to swap the main gauge face at some point...
wish i could afford the defi's I'm almost sure by this point I'm going to end up going with the glowshift 7 color, my buddy recommends them and they have the look I'm after... as for the main cluster, I used to know a site that made em custom, but the last time I tried, it wasn't there any more :(
 
#19 ·
I have glow shifts oil pressure and boost gauge. I used AEMs wide band for my turbo. Now if I could figure out how to stop the color I like from reseting ater I turn off the key.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the photos eljorge81005!
 
#25 ·
#27 ·
so I had my cluster out today to check the bulbs, and I think I'm going to run my wires out the driver side of the cubby, as I can access it better than the passenger side... and I can access the driver side firewall better than the passenger side as well (removing my sub box is a pain in the a$$) so now looks like it's a waiting game as I don't have the money to order my gauges... I've decided on oil press, volts, and trans temp (because I will be moving hopefully within the next 6mos and I'm gonna need to tow a trailer). I've also decided to go with the glowshift as they are the best cost I've been able to find and I can order them with an extended harness for $4.99x2, 10ft wires for the sending units.... I will continue updating this thread with more install pics as I get the parts in... ty everyone for your help.
 
#28 ·
ok, so I'm at a loss... finding that I need a thread adapter for the stock sending unit location... and I can't seen to find what I'm looking for, so I was wondering if anyone knows where to find a sandwich plate for the oil filter (that's not horribly expensive and fast shipping)...
 
#30 ·
Google "oil sandwich plate".
You'll get lots of hits, like this one:
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/category/Mocal_Sandwich_Plate
been lookin on google for a lil while now and everything i've found is for relocation stuff, perhaps I'm using wrong wording.... I did find this on amazon, same company that made the gauges I choose (be in tuesday)

http://www.amazon.com/GlowShift-Oil...ie=UTF8&qid=1350251919&sr=1-1&keywords=Oil+Filter+Sandwich+Adapter+-+3/4+unf-16

sux having to wait for shipping tho :(

and what would be the propper size?
 
#34 ·
I didn't really want to start a new thread on the same topic so I figured I'd post my question here.

I'm looking at installing three gauges in my car for my Turbo: boost, oil pres, and AFR. The problem is finding a place to mount them since space it at a premium. I want the install to look clean but still be functional; ie gauges should be around eye level. My problem is that I don't like how the cubby pods don't match the rest of the dash, and pillar pods are low quality from what I hear (and they're rice-ish). I was going to install three gauge cups on the cubby lid but I'm not sure how it would look and I don't wanna drill holes in my dash. Has anyone come up with something else. I saw some cool pods on a rx8 forum. What are your opinions on them?
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Of course this would require custom Fab work which is no big deal. However I would have to find another place for the third gauge.
 
#35 ·
I didn't really want to start a new thread on the same topic so I figured I'd post my question here.

I'm looking at installing three gauges in my car for my Turbo: boost, oil pres, and AFR. The problem is finding a place to mount them since space it at a premium. I want the install to look clean but still be functional; ie gauges should be around eye level. My problem is that I don't like how the cubby pods don't match the rest of the dash, and pillar pods are low quality from what I hear (and they're rice-ish). I was going to install three gauge cups on the cubby lid but I'm not sure how it would look and I don't wanna drill holes in my dash. Has anyone come up with something else. I saw some cool pods on a rx8 forum. What are your opinions on them?


Of course this would require custom Fab work which is no big deal. However I would have to find another place for the third gauge.
your really only restricted by your own creativity, I choose the cubby lid because I like the look... there are dozens of options out there...

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I agree with the rice-ish statement on these, but this one does appear to be higher quality than the universal ones...

I def think the rx8 style one would be cool, esp if you could find both sides, and with that one you might be able to avoid drilling if you hide the wires behind the bezel on the cluster, granted you would have to go with an elec sender on your boost gauge.

i kno it's not as useful as being on the dash, and I kno nothing about your radio setup, but there is always this option as well http://www.amazon.com/GlowShift-Universal-Triple-Gauge-Single/dp/B001PHVAOW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1352057026&sr=8-9&keywords=glowshift and you would be able to completely avoid drilling the dash

wish i had taken pics, but I have a buddy with a civic and he built and molded a dual pod to fit in his center HVAC vents... random suggestion as well, you could remove your visor and hang the cups there too.... just a random idea tho... lol

http://www.greddy.com/products/electronics/multi-da/
here is another option, the only thing it doesn't have is a/f

http://www.greddy.com/products/electronics/informeter/
Now this would be cool.... expensive tho... reads everything your ecu knows and you can add modules to add pressure, temp, and boost
 
#39 · (Edited)
ok, so i totally forgot to upload the install pics and such, so here you go if anyone is interested still...

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decided to add a plug to the end of the harness I created in case I ever needed to remove the cubby for any reason, I picked up both male and female connectors at RadioShack for about $7

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If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend making yourself a diagram of which wires go where to avoid confusing yourself, I did a few times...

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ok, crappy picture, but I routed the wires behind the cluster as it was much easier to access than the passenger side... and yes, i did clean all that dirt and crap before I re-assembled... lol

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used wire taps to splice into the radio harness to provide switched power, power constant, and illumination (dimmer). I grounded the setup behind the cluster on a bolt that attached to the body.

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initial power-up to test and check connections
 
#40 ·
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decided to go with trans temp, with all the long distance driving I tend to do, I decided this was a good Idea to keep an eye on things (one trans is more than I care to replace ever again... till the 6spd swap I would like to do one day) that is the factory plug in the trans, the inside of it is actually hollow, so I used a drill and tap set to fit the sending unit. Beware the plug is aluminum and if you overtighten it, you WILL strip it. It will be a little bit of a pain the next time I have to change the oil, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there...

need to change my engine oil within the next few weeks or so, I will get the rest of the pictures i can then.