Anyone try putting a 2000 + Miata Dash or 2000 + Mazda 3 Dash into their 1st Gen ?
My dash and interior are trashed. I needs a severe facelift and I'm thinking about getting silly. I'm thinking of a drastic update. I don't mind breaking out the sawzaw, welder and hammer :shocking:
I'm thinking about hitting the junkyard and car dealerships to take some measurements. Measurements and things to consider. 1. Width 2. Depth 3. Firewall contour 4. Height What are somethings I'm leaving out ? I won't be running AC or Heater and the car is powered by a Haltech. |
No 2nd gen or 3rd gen. Been there, done that.
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If you are after a change why don't you just get a dash from a 84-85. The styling is alot different but you will still be able to maintain your stock guages and such.
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
(Post 7497531)
If you are after a change why don't you just get a dash from a 84-85. The styling is alot different but you will still be able to maintain your stock guages and such.
But, I was thinking more of a updated dash. Something that will make the car feel newer. |
The 84-85 dashes are a newer style but I personally like the earlier dashes. How about just modernizing your existing dash. Maybe putting in an aluminum center console and restyling what you have? You could always design your own instrument cluster maybe out of aluminum or carbon fiber than install a full set of digital guages.
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someone show him the one with rx8 interior. don't have time to search, going out....sorry
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
(Post 7497664)
The 84-85 dashes are a newer style but I personally like the earlier dashes. How about just modernizing your existing dash. Maybe putting in an aluminum center console and restyling what you have? You could always design your own instrument cluster maybe out of aluminum or carbon fiber than install a full set of digital guages.
I already have a aluminum center :lol: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g?t=1194673972 |
no?
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doubt this has been done. the FD has been done. go for the miata dash
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You guys have pics of the conversions that have been done ?
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
(Post 7497531)
If you are after a change why don't you just get a dash from a 84-85. The styling is alot different but you will still be able to maintain your stock guages and such.
I've been wanting to do that actually.. Are there any conversion threads concerning the 84-85 into an S2? I imagine it just wont fit in like the stock dash |
Personally i think the best convo would be a FD dash in the FB, but it seems like so much work (to me). I guess i have to ask why?
I like my dash, lol http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ozar/Dash1.jpg |
Originally Posted by rx7doctor
(Post 7497531)
If you are after a change why don't you just get a dash from a 84-85. The styling is alot different but you will still be able to maintain your stock guages and such.
Plus they are only backlit (like lexus). It's much more modern looking than the 79-83 dashes. |
^word
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i test fit a 90-93 miata dash in an fc, it SHOULD fit nicely into an fb, kinda the same look but newer?
gimme your old dash, ive got an 84-85 dash in my racecar, and it sucks... |
Originally Posted by Directfreak
(Post 7499535)
You also have to appreciate the look of the 84/85 dash at NIGHT. That is when I first fell in love with it's beautiful Orange glow.
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Lets go with Burnt Orange then:) That is one thing that I have not found, a car that I can buy with that sweet color guages:)
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Originally Posted by sweetege
(Post 7501653)
Lets go with Burnt Orange then:) That is one thing that I have not found, a car that I can buy with that sweet color guages:)
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
(Post 7497664)
The 84-85 dashes are a newer style but I personally like the earlier dashes. How about just modernizing your existing dash. Maybe putting in an aluminum center console and restyling what you have? You could always design your own instrument cluster maybe out of aluminum or carbon fiber than install a full set of digital guages.
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Any pics of the FD dash in an FB? That would look interesting.
As far as I know the 85 dash should just bolt in....but I have not done it before. |
I'm going to swap the S3 dash into an S2. I've had both dashes out before, but have not tried to line the holes up with the S3 dash in the S2 body. I'm dead-set on the conversion, so I'll make it fit if the holes don't line up. That RX8 dash looks killer in the SA, as does the Renesis in it's engine bay...
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Originally Posted by Viking War Hammer
(Post 7510296)
Alright, say I wanted to put an 85 dash in the car. What's different, just a few mounting holes ?
Otherwise it bolts in. -billy |
Well, those late model dashes must be impossible to find. I've been trying to locate one for 3 months without any luck. This is one reason why I thought about using a different dash.
Anyone have one ? |
Post a WTB ad in the classifieds, I'm sure somebody on here has one. Thanks for the info, Billy. Looks like I've got another part to pull from the SE...
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Originally Posted by rxforspeed
(Post 7514195)
Post a WTB ad in the classifieds, I'm sure somebody on here has one. Thanks for the info, Billy. Looks like I've got another part to pull from the SE...
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Originally Posted by bwaits
(Post 7511774)
The mounting holes for the dash are in the same place on the chassis. If you plan to leave the heater controls in you will need to swap the harness and heater core, IRRC.
Otherwise it bolts in. -billy |
Originally Posted by Viking War Hammer
(Post 7514203)
Just posted, are those newer interiors in the 84-85 ?
Anybody know for sure if the S3 under dash harness is a direct swap-in into an S2? I'd hate to have to cut and splice to make my retractor switch and S3 instrument cluster work, but I will if I have to...Seems like something under there looked different when I compared the two... |
Originally Posted by Viking War Hammer
(Post 7513763)
Well, those late model dashes must be impossible to find. I've been trying to locate one for 3 months without any luck. This is one reason why I thought about using a different dash.
Anyone have one ? |
Gosh this thread makes me want my car back on the road :P
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the right way to do it...
It's going to take a hell of a lot of work to make a dash from any car other than a first generation RX-7 fit 100% correctly and look like it was made for the car. Why don't you just customize an S2 or S3 dash to suit your own preferences? You can hack it up, replace the cluster with a blank panel for individual gauges, alter the shape of the center section, relocate/replace switches and controls, etc. Then when you have the dash configured how you want it, have it professionally recovered in your choice of color and texture by someone like Just Dashes. It will fit perfectly and look brand new like it was made for the car, not like a bastard or homemade jalopy.
IMHO the S3 dash has an inferior non-centered placement of the tach, and the gauge colors are not ideal (white on black is better). The cheesy fake plastic stitching and chunky angles of the dash around the cluster are other annoyances. The angles are very 80's looking, and out of character with the car's exterior lines. The S2 dash has older-looking heater and AC controls, but those can easily be replaced with controls from another newer car. The S2 has the awkward looking protrusion between the vents and the environmental controls which could be removed to make it look more like the S3. Similarly, the S3 dash could be modified to curve over the instrument panel similar to the S2 dash. The stock cluster gauges themselves are not as reliable or accurate as aftermarkets and would make better sense to replace them by eliminating the cluster, rather than adding additional redundant gauges elsewhere in the cockpit. (The most reliable guages should be centrally located, not mounted in the center dash or A-pillar, while an inaccurate redundant stock gauge remains in the prime location.) Too many gauges can be distracting anyway. The large plastic switches on the sides of the S3 cluster also look cheap, but can be easily replaced. It would have be much easier to modify an S3 or S2 dash, or cut up one of each and combine the two, than to modify some dash from an entirely different car to fit correctly in all dimensions, bolt up to the chassis, and connect to the wiring harness. |
n2318r has a good point. You could practice laying fiberglass by combining the newer dash of your choice with the stock unit. I myself prefer the smooth monochrome look, but your options are literally unlimited here. By using the stock dash as the "frame" of your custom piece, you're guaranteed a perfect fit without all the cut/test/fit/repeat. You'd still have to watch edges and seams, where the door panel meets the dash and other panels snap or bolt into place, but you could pretty much cover or customize it any way you like. If you did choose fiberglass (or almost any other method for that matter), you may want to watch the weight if you're keeping your '7 on a diet. All the resin and filler to shape and smooth the dash out will add a hefty chunk of weight to it. If you do go this route, please keep us posted so we can watch the progress...
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Originally Posted by rxforspeed
(Post 7521794)
n2318r has a good point. You could practice laying fiberglass by combining the newer dash of your choice with the stock unit. I myself prefer the smooth monochrome look, but your options are literally unlimited here. By using the stock dash as the "frame" of your custom piece, you're guaranteed a perfect fit without all the cut/test/fit/repeat. You'd still have to watch edges and seams, where the door panel meets the dash and other panels snap or bolt into place, but you could pretty much cover or customize it any way you like. If you did choose fiberglass (or almost any other method for that matter), you may want to watch the weight if you're keeping your '7 on a diet. All the resin and filler to shape and smooth the dash out will add a hefty chunk of weight to it. If you do go this route, please keep us posted so we can watch the progress...
http://www.mygraphix.com/index/u/51/206/2092.jpg |
^That would look bad-ass in an FB! Search the junkyards or possibly Mazda 3 forums for the dash, and if you were to do that the center console, door panels, and pretty much the entire interior would totally top it off. Definately keep us posted on what you're going to do, I'd love to see this work out for you!
-Adam |
i agree it would look cool, but the 3 dashes arent one assembly like the fb/fc/fd's are, its volvo, so its all fucky.
gonna be a lot of work... |
2005 miata dash is the same width as the fb dash.
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Because the Mazda 3 is a much taller car, and the seating position is much more upright, I bet that the dashboard would be too tall. It would probably sit too high or too low on the cowl, and either block some of your view out the windshield, or hit your knees. I would forget about the 3 dash and concentrate on the Miata dash.
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Originally Posted by B6T
(Post 7570004)
Because the Mazda 3 is a much taller car, and the seating position is much more upright, I bet that the dashboard would be too tall. It would probably sit too high or too low on the cowl, and either block some of your view out the windshield, or hit your knees. I would forget about the 3 dash and concentrate on the Miata dash.
Miata dash is looking good so far, maybe a carrera dash ? |
Anyone have a rundown or advice with trying to get the stock miata gauge cluster to work ?
I know it will be a big pain in the butt. |
Just thought you guys might like to see this.
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old ass 240Z http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html |
that 240z looks nice but i dont like the dash install im too much of a perfectionist and do not like how the front lip is benieth the window seal it looks like crap that coupled with how the hacked the dash to make the doors close to me thats unprofessional i would have done a fiberglass dash of the same car update the looks of the dash then covered it with vinal i have my ideas and when i get ths chance you will all see a true work of art but that is my opinion
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Originally Posted by Viking War Hammer
(Post 7570424)
Just thought you guys might like to see this.
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old ass 240Z http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...%20240z/21.JPG Look at that thing! Perfect spot for Gauges, a Radio, and an LCD screen!! Much nicer than the original Z dashes. That may be a good candidate for your car too. Especially if you are going with all aftermarket gauges. |
Would that work on an fb i like the way that dash looks
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Anything can be made to work. It would be nice if it's the same width as the fb dash.
I agree it does look nice. |
Looks nice. I don't think the shifter would be even close to lining up on a stock FB. The FB dash drops almost straight down in that ceter section, while that dash slopes pretty far back.
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frist its cool your trying to update it but i have a idea that hasnt been said. try to make your own. i plan on doing it. just remove the dash thats in the car now. where all the bolts are that hold it in install long studs. go to a craft store and buy the green foam and some of the white. the green doesnt not flex. use tape thats sticky on both side to keep the white foam down and cut it in flat sections so u can place the green foam on top. use hot glue to bond both foams. the studs should be long enough to poke thru. now with hacksaw blades or what ever tools you have carve a dash the way you want it to look. once you get the look that you wand cut it in a few sections so it can be removed from the car (cut out a glove box if you want one.)
now put a layer of fiberglass down then mar-glass . sand smooth paint or how ever you want to cover it. no one will be able to fully copy what you did. this idea been kicking around in my head since i took my car off the road and ive been sitting in it wishing it was warm and snow free. |
Originally Posted by warwickben
(Post 7584462)
frist its cool your trying to update it but i have a idea that hasnt been said. try to make your own. i plan on doing it. just remove the dash thats in the car now. where all the bolts are that hold it in install long studs. go to a craft store and buy the green foam and some of the white. the green doesnt not flex. use tape thats sticky on both side to keep the white foam down and cut it in flat sections so u can place the green foam on top. use hot glue to bond both foams. the studs should be long enough to poke thru. now with hacksaw blades or what ever tools you have carve a dash the way you want it to look. once you get the look that you wand cut it in a few sections so it can be removed from the car (cut out a glove box if you want one.)
now put a layer of fiberglass down then mar-glass . sand smooth paint or how ever you want to cover it. no one will be able to fully copy what you did. this idea been kicking around in my head since i took my car off the road and ive been sitting in it wishing it was warm and snow free. Nah, I'd like a stock but current looking dash. |
I for one think that's a great idea, miata dash in the FB. My dad has a 1gen miata and I like the simplicity/moder'ness of it... and I had to mentally slap myself for not thinking of this for my FB. I'll be taking some measurements when I go home for christmas.
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Originally Posted by Viking War Hammer
(Post 7570232)
Anyone have a rundown or advice with trying to get the stock miata gauge cluster to work ?
I know it will be a big pain in the butt. |
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