Working on a gauge pod idea

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by Beedub

looks great.....

i keep saying it but....

stack pro step gauges = awesomeness.....

I picked them up by your recomendation and you were 100% correct... they rule

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

OMG..... I am so subscribed for this one Chris.

Ever since I saw your strip out post where you removed the HU & harness, I've been thinking of something like this.
Absofreakinlutyly AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

I'm with you 1000% on the S54 tunes.
I never listen to my radio & I mean never.
I would pull my HU in a heartbeat for something like this.

I've been planning gauges for some time.
My #1 design goal is to have them up where they are easily visible.
Big on this one Chris.

Yep, zero regrets. I was hesitant at first but I never used my radio either. Feels good trimming the fat.
I am with you on visibility too; this is why I decided to make my own.

Originally Posted by esqu1re

Not to get too far off topic, but I wonder if you could install a radio in the area between the seats below where the navigation disc drive is. That way you could delete the center stack, work the radio from the steering wheel, and have the gauges. Probably WAY too much effort.

That said, I'd like to see someone utilize the stock navigation screen better---digital gauges like the GT-R.

Nonetheless, this is going to look amazing. Keep up the great work.

I looked in this area before I removed the bulkhead. It's a little narrow, but there is room to trim the compartment and and install a head unit set back slightly. It would take a pretty good effort to pull it off.

There is a company based out of Scottsdale AZ that is useing the nav screen. I forget the name, but if you search boost gauges you will find them deep in one of the threads here. I prefer the individual gauges

Originally Posted by MIKe86

This.

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Nah.... where's your man card???

Ya got to have real gauges in this bad ass car.
Leave the vid-gamer interior to the likes of the GTR.

Originally Posted by johanness

I still say the rear-view is the way to go

Very clean option.

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

once you see these stack gauges in person, and in action, you'll forget all about digital gauges

yes sir. I am with you. The features can't be beat and the look OE

Originally Posted by Beedub

true true.... a proper digital gauge with an classy look, even cooler the temp ones can controll fan cut in and off when wired in correctly and looped in the system.... very clever, each and every stack pro gauge can data log when using the stack log unit.... literally endless features.

op i LOVE this project.

Thank you for the recomendation, the gauges rule!

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Was looking at mine tonight.
I think the biggest challenge will be creating a back panel that looks OE.

I'm sure Chris is up to the task.
....I can't wait to see this come together.

Thanks man, this is my biggest concern. If I don't pull off an OE look, this project will fail IMO

Originally Posted by Finnegan

[v3.0si]

Originally Posted by crfine88

...this is my biggest concern. If I don't pull off an OE look, this project will fail IMO

would it be possible to get a donor center vent assy... gut everything save the nice OE facing bezel... flip it upside down... fab a brushed alum (or painted interlagos) panel to go behind it for the gauges... and enjoy not only OE look, but also a super-symetrical appearance?

[v3.0si]

^^^ my super-hasty-attempt-at-this chop...

[ZStig]

lol, those vent regulators would have to get plugged up

[v3.0si]

^^^ haha!

there's your dimmer switches!

[ZStig]

Now that I saw an intake temp gauge, I really want one, but now thats 4 I want, and the ashtray one only fits 3

boost
afr
AIT
water/meth flow rate

[crfine88]

I took the time to complete the model of my gauge pod over the past couple of weeks. I spent a great deal of time to make sure the measurements for the gauge cut-outs were perfect because there was very little room for error given the location I chose.

I used the top line of the gauge pod as my reference point for alignment because it is the only straight line on the gauge pod; the side and bottom lines are curved. I am very happy with how it is coming along.

During the process I had a bit of a scare. After placing the gauges in the pod to check for fitment, it appeared that my EGT gauge (third one in from the driver’s side) sat noticeable lower from the top line. Using my Blue-point digital caliper, I checked all spacing for each cage (top, bottom, left, right and in-between). I was relieved to find that all measurements were with-in tolerance. I proceed to put the gauges back in the pod in various configurations and found that wherever I place the EGT, it stat noticeably lower than where it should.

At this point I was convinced that the gauge pod was good, and decided to inspect the EGT gage. What I found was that the bezel on the EGT gauge has a manufacturers defect. Looking at a side profile of the gauge you can see that the bezel looks to be pinched and pulled toward the bottom. Hooray, problem solved! Of the five gauges I picked up, the EGT is the only one to have this issue. The H20, Boost, AFR and Oil gauges are all identical in profile.

[Beedub]

fucking awesome work!!!!! knowing how these gauges look lit up your DEFINATLY going to have a hard time NOT looking at them when your driving, once these are all up and running this will be a thing of sheer beauty, your in for a real treat for all your hard work.... awesome awesome awesome!!!

I simply cant wait to see these gauges all light up and working in your setup!!!
im glad you took on my recommendations ;-) Dont forget for your oil pressure move the stock low oil pressure switch to the rear port on the oil filter housing then use the front one for your oil pressure, looks OEM and is the best location to read the oil pressure accurately.... it also keeps all stock functions working perfectly...... Like you, i mod once and properly ;-)

[ZStig]

tip: get an oem lights dimmer from an e36 or e38, for these gauges, and install the switch in a hidden place

I haven't installed mine yet

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

tip: get an oem lights dimmer from an e36 or e38, for these gauges, and install the switch in a hidden place

I haven't installed mine yet

He's right ya know, the LEDs on these gauges are bright enough to light up your whole interior..... i left em nice and bright!! lol

[Blind32]

crfine...I love you.

Amazing work

[Z4-VILLA]

Originally Posted by Blind32

crfine...I love you.

Amazing work

no homo? lol

Im with you on this....Crfine is so on it with this idea!

[ZStig]

I'm assuming the front is made from scratch, and you're using some sort of oem piece for the backing so there are places to screw it in. I like the little matching lip on each side you've created

I haven't installed my 3d design gauge pod because I'd like to make something myself to go up around the gauge cluster

[Twisted Six]

looking real good there CR !!

Think about a center line element like the above vents also have....just for a balance to the eye.?? Of course not so wide as to interfere with the two center gauge rings.

Maybe we should consider this in CF ? Naww, SEM trim black will look perfect !!

[007MCoupe]

Why the EFF have I not seen this thread before?!

I don't have any need for gauges but when I first saw the ashtray pod way back I thought this exact idea, only lose the A/C vents, since if you're going for HP might as well lose the compressor and all that lol.

Good on ya Chris. Seems like you're going to need a week off just to update your journal! HAHA

x 100000000000000000000000000000000

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by Beedub

fucking awesome work!!!!! knowing how these gauges look lit up your DEFINATLY going to have a hard time NOT looking at them when your driving, once these are all up and running this will be a thing of sheer beauty, your in for a real treat for all your hard work.... awesome awesome awesome!!!

I simply cant wait to see these gauges all light up and working in your setup!!!
im glad you took on my recommendations ;-) Dont forget for your oil pressure move the stock low oil pressure switch to the rear port on the oil filter housing then use the front one for your oil pressure, looks OEM and is the best location to read the oil pressure accurately.... it also keeps all stock functions working perfectly...... Like you, i mod once and properly ;-)

Thanks
You have been a big help (ie gauge selection, location for sending units, etc)

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

tip: get an oem lights dimmer from an e36 or e38, for these gauges, and install the switch in a hidden place

I haven't installed mine yet

Can you send me a link for theis switch or tell me where I can find it. I am thinking about have on dimmer for the 4 3500 series gauges and a sepereate dimmer for the AFR gauge

Originally Posted by Blind32

crfine...I love you.

Amazing work

lol, thanks

Originally Posted by Z4-Villalona

no homo? lol

Im with you on this....Crfine is so on it with this idea!

Thank you

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I'm assuming the front is made from scratch, and you're using some sort of oem piece for the backing so there are places to screw it in. I like the little matching lip on each side you've created

I haven't installed my 3d design gauge pod because I'd like to make something myself to go up around the gauge cluster

Yes. I sacraficed a stock business CD player I picked up off of eBay to make this piece. I am thinking about making a mold so I can reproduce it using fiberglass or

Originally Posted by Dark Schnitzer

looking real good there CR !!

Think about a center line element like the above vents also have....just for a balance to the eye.?? Of course not so wide as to interfere with the two center gauge rings.

Maybe we should consider this in CF ? Naww, SEM trim black will look perfect !!

Wow, thank you! I like the idea of CF, I too think matching the stock trim will look the best though

Originally Posted by 007MCoupe

Why the EFF have I not seen this thread before?!

I don't have any need for gauges but when I first saw the ashtray pod way back I thought this exact idea, only lose the A/C vents, since if you're going for HP might as well lose the compressor and all that lol.

Good on ya Chris. Seems like you're going to need a week off just to update your journal! HAHA

x 100000000000000000000000000000000

Haha, thank you sir!
Great to see you in on this too

[ZStig]

this is the one I bought, haven't figured out where/how to install it yet


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_693wt_1163

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

this is the one I bought, haven't figured out where/how to install it yet


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_693wt_1163

Thank you for the link, I like this option

[ZStig]

small, discrete, and oem =)

[inTgr8r]

Awesome Chris!!

I wondered if you were going to use a doner face plate; great idea.
If you decide to pull a mold, I think there would be a few takers around here.

.

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Awesome Chris!!

I wondered if you were going to use a doner face plate; great idea.
If you decide to pull a mold, I think there would be a few takers around here.

.

Thanks Ian, almost done

[SmartBastard]

Looking good mate