Folks,
Im after something subtle as my main point.
I am looking for some ideas for subtle gauge setups, really to cover boost, water temp, oil pressure/temp. I dont want to cut the dash to pieces infront of the driver, nor am I a fan of A pillar mounts.
An Apexi Power FC may cover some of them, but I do want some subtle gauges as a quick reference. I dont want something that could entice theives to grab them.
Im thinking something DIN mounted that could be easily hidden.
Any ideas or pics would be apprecaited.
Thanks!
Defi do DIN mounted gauge setups. I\'m not sure how quick reference they\'d be whilst driving though, I wouldn\'t fancy looking down at them whilst flooring it.
Maybe get something DIN mounted for the temps and then an RE Amemiya boost gauge that sits just in front of the rev counter so you can keep an eye on boost.
JDM Part Store,
Thanks for the reply.
I have seen the RE Amemiya Column meter and im not sure if its my thing. It still looks a bit "stuck on". It is however a handy method for keeping things in your line of sight.
You however are right about the DIN setups not exactly being in your line of sight when driving. I guess the peak value recording facility of some gauges are handy.
I have also seen the kits that mount ontop of the speaker on the top, central part of the dash. Then I guess that means loosing a speak.
Draw backs to them all it seems :(.
I guess You could move the OEM head unit to the lower DIN slot, put the gauges in the upper DIN slot. Then of course it may make using the radio a bit difficult.
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27511&d=1171043054
thats how i have mine done, bought the gauges online (about 100 for all three) and just fabbed up a face plate with a blank din plate and a drill. the gauges slotted into the lower din slot so didnt really need to have a carrier fabbed up, but i did one anyway for completeness. just used a flat plate and drill holes to accept the gauges.
the gauges have peak memory and warning limits, and are red at night with white during the day. all in all they look pretty subtle, i just need to change the mounting bolts to black to complete the installation
adrian
Adrian,
They look the biz mate! Thats what im talking about.
Ill have to think of a good mounting solution myself. Yours looks great though.
You could see if you could find some black anodised bolts, spend a few quid and have it looking the business.
Nice head unit too mate. Adds to the subtelty of the whole thing!
Oh and thanks for the pic!
@ Marco
which gauges are those please? they look ideal and are the ideal colours to match original spec :)
Thanks
Mark
I went subtle:
http://rx7.fotopic.net/c1281615.html
Took a bit to get them to fit but well worth it, you won\'t be able to get them in orange though thats the only thing :)
(http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ynmfkv&outx=640)
Those DIN ones look fantastic too, I might look at a set for boost and fuel pressure :)
ds2000,
Are they SPA Gauges? AFAIK you can get them in red if they are. Your orange looks great though.
Can I ask behind the OEM Coolant and Oil gagues, was there much obstructing the installation of the other gauges? Was it a case of ripping out the OEM gagues, wiring in the new gagues and trying to get them to fit right? Or not as simple as that?
If you need the SPA guages...I can get you them cheap!
The dual ones are great as you can display obviously 2 different channels in the one guage...saving space ;)
The cover most options...but you can always go for either 2 pressures...2 temps or temp and pressure
For a full range visit....http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/gauges.asp
Quote from: Neil_Mds2000,
Are they SPA Gauges? AFAIK you can get them in red if they are. Your orange looks great though.
Can I ask behind the OEM Coolant and Oil gagues, was there much obstructing the installation of the other gauges? Was it a case of ripping out the OEM gagues, wiring in the new gagues and trying to get them to fit right? Or not as simple as that?
Orange is a customisation that came from someone I know that knows someone that works for SPA. As far as I know there are only 2x sets that have been done in orange. If its just LEDs though you might be able to buy an old mobile phone off ebay and unsolder the orange LEDs and swap them on the SPA gauges (assuming thats how the backlights work)
They were a bit of an ache to fit. I needed to remove the standard gauges and dremmel quite a bit of the old plastic from behind them away. I also had to remove the chrome bezels that surrounded them too. It wasn\'t so much an awful job, just time consuming but well worth it in the end.
A simple sandwitch plate works well for the oil pressure and temperature. I drilled and tapped the thermostat housing for water pressure and also made a t-piece for the temperature. I\'ll get some pics at the weekend.
There are a few pics of the install here (http://rx7.fotopic.net/c1122164.html), it was pointless me trying to do a write up as I really just kept working material off slowly.
Quote from: AtomicRexIf you need the SPA guages...I can get you them cheap!
The dual ones are great as you can display obviously 2 different channels in the one guage...saving space ;)
The cover most options...but you can always go for either 2 pressures...2 temps or temp and pressure
For a full range visit....http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/gauges.asp
Thanks mate. I have been looking at the SPA stuff for a while now. I may be in touch, however can you give me an idea of what discount your looking at?
Quote from: ds2000Orange is a customisation that came from someone I know that knows someone that works for SPA. As far as I know there are only 2x sets that have been done in orange. If its just LEDs though you might be able to buy an old mobile phone off ebay and unsolder the orange LEDs and swap them on the SPA gauges (assuming thats how the backlights work)
They were a bit of an ache to fit. I needed to remove the standard gauges and dremmel quite a bit of the old plastic from behind them away. I also had to remove the chrome bezels that surrounded them too. It wasn\'t so much an awful job, just time consuming but well worth it in the end.
A simple sandwitch plate works well for the oil pressure and temperature. I drilled and tapped the thermostat housing for water pressure and also made a t-piece for the temperature. I\'ll get some pics at the weekend.
There are a few pics of the install here (http://rx7.fotopic.net/c1122164.html), it was pointless me trying to do a write up as I really just kept working material off slowly.
ds2000,
On second look, your setup looks better than I initially thought. As stealthy as the DIN install is, you cant get past it not being in your line of sight.
Thanks for the info mate. The electrical wiring scares the pants off me, though the installation of the senders etc shouldnt be a prob.
they are prosport gauges, the new stepper motor ones. i got them from //www.xyberautos.com
Ihad a bit of trouble with a couple of the gauges (not reading right) but i tend to have love fingers and was probably a bit ham fisted when i installed them. so I have couple more waiting at home for me to fit this weekend. will elt you know how i get on.
Good luck mate lol :).
Thanks for the link too, some nice stuff on there.
i\'ve got a defi link display which can be din mounted (but mine isnt), pretty good really i think anyway, digital display no dials at all.
Thanks for the reply ashc,
I like the idea of the defi link display. However I think it works out very expensive to replace a few dials with it. Still a consideration though.
does anyone know where to get a flat plastic din slot ting for mounting gauges? I bought a metal one which slants them towards the driver but the gauges dont fit as they would need to be exactly 52mm with no lip round the edge to fit.
http://www.autodials.co.uk/accessories.htm
Has some, also goole bring up lots of info (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=din+gauge+plates&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB).
koolance,
i had to fab mine up and is a pretty tight fit but doable. i started with a normal blank din plate and just shaved the back with a knife to make it a flat piece of plastic, and then drilled the holes as required. not too difficult to do tbh