Gauges... Where do i put them.

photn · 03-03-2011, 04:36 PM

So its time for me to consider guages.

now, in keeping with the car, i want it to look stock, so no A pillar stuff or on the bonnet, Cant use the Bezel next to the tacho as i have a trip meter and DTE, Cant install under the HU as i only have a 1.5Din space.

Now, only reason for the guages are to keep an eye out for any issues, so if it starts to feel funny, ill have the ability to check boost, oil pressure and temp, along with Air/Fuel Ration.

I dont want - in all honesty to display any of the guauges...Any suggestions.

imaz · 03-03-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

So its time for me to consider guages.

now, in keeping with the car, i want it to look stock, so no A pillar stuff or on the bonnet, Cant use the Bezel next to the tacho as i have a trip meter and DTE, Cant install under the HU as i only have a 1.5Din space.

Now, only reason for the guages are to keep an eye out for any issues, so if it starts to feel funny, ill have the ability to check boost, oil pressure and temp, along with Air/Fuel Ration.

I dont want - in all honesty to display any of the guauges...Any suggestions.

Get an all in one single din(which you have) digital meter.

http://www.optionimports.com/mmOPTIO...-digimeter.jpg

Or conventional meters which equial to a single din.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e307/ilv1004s/073.jpg

photn · 03-03-2011, 05:17 PM

First one looks okay, second one is yucky

but way too expensive and Rice looking.

im wondering what controlls the dials on the cluster.....well i know the ECU does in a way, but wondering if you could say - disable one and some how make it display/show boost.....

Like the FRS

DZFord · 03-03-2011, 05:42 PM

If you want it too look "factory-ish", you could go for some Ford Racing gauges. They have a nice looking gauge pod and if mounted correctly, wouldn't be too much of an eyesore.

photn · 03-03-2011, 05:57 PM

Do you have a link there DZ Ford?

on a slightly different angle,

Just had a shower (yes i know too much info) and whilst showering (no not what you think) i had an idea (not a dirty one thank you), Say i had An FRS ECU with engine loom, and a FRS dash - would it be difficult to connect that up to say - my engine and my SC to give the readout of the boost on the Cluster??? Not concerned about the actual cost of it, just pondering the actual possibility of it working???

melbzetec · 03-03-2011, 06:30 PM

A couple of other options.

Replace a vent

http://www.part-box.com/ford-focus-r...d-p-20320.html

Replace stock radio

http://www.massivespeedsystem.com/_m...r/g-59122.aspx

Do what I did, place gauges in the glove box ( no pic, but I put an AFR gauge in the glove box at an angle facing the driver. When I need to check it, I simply open the glove box )

Or as I did, get this binnacle (but I think you have gauges there already)

http://www.grahamgoode.com/focus/pro...?partno=GGF075

Or ( and I like this if done properly...plan this myself one day) in the passenger side dash (see post 4 in the link)

http://forums.focaljet.com/interior-...ox-gauges.html

or steering wheel mount pods (look at approx 25 second mark)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8JQvDpofds&list=QL

I've also always thought there is a space for two gauges under the dash where the two rubber cup holders are, just behind the gear shift.

There's a couple to think about mate!

ps Do you have an ST170 space saver wheel you want to sell???

photn · 03-03-2011, 06:33 PM

Also Just found :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SCT-9...Q5fAccessories

Interesting, works with other external sources... looks like a stockkinda unit. might work well.. will have to see.. Email off to rob herrod/SCT USA

photn · 03-03-2011, 06:36 PM

Hey steve, Yep Still got it. Bright orange thing hahah - no tread wear - kept inside.

But none the less, thanks heaps steve, much usefull information and lots of thinking to do.

If you need anything else from the ST170 pm me, have about 3 boxes of stuff from the interior and what not, door handles, surround bezels and what not.

DZFord · 03-03-2011, 07:11 PM

http://www.fordracingparts.com/2011-catalog/

Gauges on pp231-232.

Neale · 03-03-2011, 08:04 PM

what about in the glovebox, I know its out of the way but If you are only going to use them for the occasional check up

melbzetec · 03-03-2011, 08:09 PM

Mate I'll send you a pm on the ST170 space saver.

For gauges, I reckon that SCT Livewire is the way to go.

How's the tune going?

photn · 03-03-2011, 08:25 PM

Neale - I like your style,

gonna have a think about it,

Hey steve, What would you do?

Can you send me a snap of your air fuel ratio in the glove box?

Cheers.

Fast Eddie · 04-03-2011, 12:19 PM

I like the SCT Dashscan Unit (see Post #7). You can possibly mount it on the steering column and have it "fold forward" when not in use.

melbzetec · 04-03-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

Neale - I like your style,

gonna have a think about it,

Hey steve, What would you do?

Can you send me a snap of your air fuel ratio in the glove box?

Cheers.

I'll try and take a snap today Sean.

What would I do?

I think I'd go the SCT one first up. Simple, clean, all in one place.

I also do like the idea of gauges in the passenger dash, but it is very hardcore, and you'd really want to be sure that's what you'd be happy with because it will ruin a perfectly good dash (although do you still have the ST170 dash? You could use that)

By the way, here's an approach which replaces the glove box fascia with a dash pod
http://www.supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php/66541-GB-Carbon-fiber-glove-box-gauge-pod-(Approved-by-DrNick)

But I think I'd rather put them in the glove box than on the door.

Some people make pods for that,
http://www.ioffer.com/i/new-auto-met...57?source=eisi
but you'd need to find RHD.

Mine is a single gauge in the corner of the glove box with a simple gauge holder (pics later)

melbzetec · 04-03-2011, 01:58 PM

Or go the full hog Sean and put one of these in your dash!!!!

http://www.pfmengineering.com/images...sport_dash.jpg

photn · 04-03-2011, 02:13 PM

You know steve,

When everything settles and i have a bit more to put on the car - i will turn it into a track car thats for sure, and ill have one of those - just for you hahaha.

Yer im thinking the SCT one - Can mount it just in front of the gear stick slightly angled up. Its not for a fully hectic scene or anything, just something simple, relatively cheap and effecient.

I had a look at the SCT LiveWire one - its okay - but for 500-600 its a bit pricey especially when the Dashscan does the same thing i want.

Talldude · 04-03-2011, 03:25 PM

What about a new rev counter?

could you fit another one in the dash and replace the speedo at the same time?

I ask because some upgrades make your engine spin higher. Like ITB's and a retune.

photn · 04-03-2011, 03:39 PM

This is true Talldude,

But the SC i have has lot more downlow, so the rev limiter will stay at 6.8, so the dash will be fine and the tacho will be spot on,

dont want a new tacho anyway, some silly 6" "fully hectic" Tacho next to the Apillar with a shift light - not neccesary.

Talldude · 04-03-2011, 10:21 PM

Yeah true.

I hate the big flashing rev counter!

I like the idea of keeping it looking stockish.

photn · 20-04-2011, 12:41 PM

Well i bought the Part Box Item that replaces the air vent.

Item arrived. Had a look at it. Didnt like it. Item is made from cheap fibreglass, doesnt fit perfectly - very loose - sits out quite a bit in the car - does not look standard at all.

gonna have to rethink strategy. Needed something for the AEM wideband and the AEM boost guage i got - need them for datalogging.