DIY Gauges Install - S54

[inTgr8r]

Gauges are 52 mm that fit the 3D pod.
I'm partial to the Stack gauges myself.
Don't recall who I purchased from, but it was a Zpost vendor. (IND?)

I'm adding a 4th gauge for oil temp.
Just found this manifold on Bimmerworld that I'll be giving a try.
http://www.bimmerworld.com/Gauges-Da...ing-Block.html

[Vanne]

I just bought a set of gauges, going for oil Px, water temp and voltage.
any idea where to grab the ashtray cover? or is there a nicer way to do it? Not really that keen to spend 200 bucks on a moulded setup, worst case scenario ill make my own .

what did you guys do for the 3d pod?

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Vanne

I just bought a set of gauges, going for oil Px, water temp and voltage.
any idea where to grab the ashtray cover? or is there a nicer way to do it? Not really that keen to spend 200 bucks on a moulded setup, worst case scenario ill make my own .

what did you guys do for the 3d pod?

The pod is a complex piece and well designed it replaces the complete top section .


Beedub's


There were other options from leatherZ that were a simpler design.
More of a flat plate that was screwed down.
The gauges sat much flatter

[Vanne]

Ian, yeah looks awesome, but boy that pod is pricey, 350 us for just that pod piece is pretty darn pricey, any other sources that are still producing these?

[inTgr8r]

Price driven by demand I guess.
I considered fabbing something myself but caved in as I wanted to preserve the OE look.

Not aware of any sources for similar product.
LeatherZ stopped producing theirs as well.

[StickMon]

I like the looks of this, but the thing that always bothered me is they're in an inconvenient location to see.
Afraid I'd drive up somebody's backside while looking down at them.
Decided to just go with the iPod on the dash. I get water temp and volts, but would have to add a sender and A/D add-on box to get oil pressure.

[Steeler]

Not sure what an A/D add on box is but I added an oil temp gauge to my set up this year with a tapped oil filter lid.
Here is the S54 version https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac...s54-p1065.aspx
This is mine, psi and temp

[StickMon]

The PLX KiWi OBD to WiFi has a plug on the back to string add-on Analog to Digital (A/D) converter boxes for numerous types of senders, like temp probes and pressure senders.
Gets expensive, though.

Not nearly as cool as good old analog gauges, but puts the volts and coolant temp right up on the dash where I can see them.

[Steeler]

Ah I see
Nothing wrong with hi tech

[StickMon]

Here it is in context. A little hokey, but a decent compromise for me.

[Vanne]

I LOVE VAN HALEN!!! 5150.. OU812…

right, back to the topic.. bought this



and then this for 6 bucks..


which ill mod to get about a 20-25 degree lean on the ashtray.. I hope. If it doesn't look any good, ill probably cave. anyways, its 6 bucks, can't hurt to see whats what. would have preferred a straight edge topside, but couldn't find one. who knows, this might be ok.

Stickmon, that looks bloody great mate, and pretty darn easy to let your eyes glance over to that and than back to the road.

Dbarton62, thats bloody great, thanks for the heads up. Might look at that myself, Ian also has a few pics that show other designated pickups, whack i may also look at.. all depending on the cost of said senders.

[StickMon]

I considered the 6 buck pod for the dash, but the dash surface is at a very unfavorable angle. Especially if you have nav in the way.
I like the A-pillar option, although it may be a little JDM, but technically a good place for them.
But I have extended leather, so that means cutting cows.
Finally I said "screw it" I'll just use my Son's old iPod with the dead battery and DashCommand.
But the iPod versus analog gauges is like an SMG versus a 6MT.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by StickMon

The PLX KiWi OBD to WiFi has a plug on the back to string add-on Analog to Digital (A/D) converter boxes for numerous types of senders, like temp probes and pressure senders.
Gets expensive, though.

Not nearly as cool as good old analog gauges, but puts the volts and coolant temp right up on the dash where I can see them.

Attachment 1379403

Is this the one you're currently using => http://www.plxdevices.com/Kiwi-OBD2-...7346002344.htm

Currently on sale too...good price!

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by Vanne

Ian, sorry to bump this mate, but was looking for a few bits and pieces of info for when I attempt this.. Looking at running water temp, oil px and voltage or intake temp, not sure on the last one yet. Any recommendation for vdo suppliers? And what size are the gauges?

Water temp, intake temp, and voltage can be pulled from the P3Cars gauge. It also has three 0-5V programmable inputs.

If I had to go back and do it again, I would get a P3Cars vent gauge and radar-mirror.com gauges. It's more expensive, but it beats tearing up the interior to do the ash tray gauges.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

Water temp, intake temp, and voltage can be pulled from the P3Cars gauge. It also has three 0-5V programmable inputs.

If I had to go back and do it again, I would get a P3Cars vent gauge and radar-mirror.com gauges. It's more expensive, but it beats tearing up the interior to do the ash tray gauges.

I know what your saying, I have the tech side covered with a OBDLink MX Wi-Fi and my phone.
I can display & log just about anything, but nothing replaces the look of a good set of real gauges.
They should have been part of the OE design as the Z3 was.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Is this the one you're currently using => http://www.plxdevices.com/Kiwi-OBD2-...7346002344.htm

Currently on sale too...good price!

That's the one. Wow, that is a good price.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by StickMon

That's the one. Wow, that is a good price.

What apps are you using it with?

Besides being able to add aftermarket readings, do you see any advantages of the kiwi over, let say, the much cheaper Veepeak Mini WiFi OBD2 scanner (http://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-Scanne...s=obdii+wifi)?

[SaltyNC]

Stickmon's skin and parameters for DashCommand are slick. Really appreciate StickMon sharing it with the community. I use it with a cheap IOS WIFI OBD2 adapter that I picked up on Amazon.

http://amzn.com/B012MZGKOU

The above OBD2 adapter requires that the ignition be turned off and back on to make the OBD connection, but after that, it is reliable, though it does have a very slight lag. I don't know if that is due to the adapter or if the version of OBD2 protocol on the '06 Z4MR has a slow data transfer rate.

Salty

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by XMetal

What apps are you using it with?

Besides being able to add aftermarket readings, do you see any advantages of the kiwi over, let say, the much cheaper Veepeak Mini WiFi OBD2 scanner (http://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-Scanne...s=obdii+wifi)?

I'm just using DashCommand, but there's a pantload of apps around that will work.
Here's my latest Z4 dashboard if you want to take it for a spin.
Here's some more creative ones from a user with more artistic talent.

I thin Salty answered your other question. Thanks Salty!

I set up with the KiWi years ago. There weren't many, if any, other WiFi adapters.
Cheap Bluetooth ones, but I learned BT doesn't work very well with IOS, even jailbroken.

The KiWi-2 has come way down in price, but the prices on the add-on modules are still insane.

I think the ultimate gauge setup would be an app on an iPad mini in place of the Navi screen.

[XMetal]

Thanks guys...really appreciates your feedback

[AriuSen]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Here it is in context. A little hokey, but a decent compromise for me.

Attachment 1379479

Holy! R u in a airplane cabin?

[AriuSen]

nice DIY op!!!....these are mine....oil temp water temp and oil pressure....not sure its useful or just for show.... when i turn on the car its blue...when car is in normal temp its white and when its too hot its red....besides that I dont even notice its there lol...was even thinking of selling.