Anyone try putting a 2000 + Miata Dash or 2000 + Mazda 3 Dash into their 1st Gen ?
11-14-07, 09:51 PM
#27
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yep thats right. actually it might not even be that hard, it used to be sorta common around here, in the 90's
11-15-07, 05:01 AM
#28
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Yea, as far as I know all the S3 ('84 & '85) interiors are the same, and they're the models that have the "unbreakable" dashes as somebody else had pointed out in this thread. The dashes from the S3's don't have the circular vents that the S1's and S2's had, and a better-looking instrument cluster IMO that you can also get white faced gauges for. They have additional features that the previous model dashes didn't have (like the headlight retractor switch) that I still need to do a bit more research on to make sure they'll work with my swap, but I believe as long as I use the S3 harness (at least the under-dash wiring) it should work.
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...
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...
11-15-07, 07:32 AM
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If you do swap the dash ill buy ur old one and the aluminum ceter piece.
11-15-07, 11:29 PM
#32
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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.
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.
11-16-07, 09:50 PM
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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...
11-16-07, 11:35 PM
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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...
11-20-07, 02:02 PM
#35
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^That would look bad-*** 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
-Adam
11-20-07, 11:18 PM
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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...
gonna be a lot of work...
11-30-07, 01:46 PM
#38
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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.
11-30-07, 02:09 PM
#39
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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.
Miata dash is looking good so far, maybe a carrera dash ?
11-30-07, 03:40 PM
#41
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Just thought you guys might like to see this.
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old *** 240Z
http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old *** 240Z
http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html
12-01-07, 12:30 AM
#42
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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
12-01-07, 01:52 AM
#43
Just thought you guys might like to see this.
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old *** 240Z
http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html
This guy put a new Sylvia dash and console into his old *** 240Z
http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gal...oelsr240z.html
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.
12-04-07, 03:24 PM
#47
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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.
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.
12-04-07, 04:21 PM
#48
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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.
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.
12-04-07, 11:22 PM
#49
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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.
12-04-07, 11:43 PM
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