Where to mount all these gauges?
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Eastern PA
Originally posted by Redwood
//rant on
Uhh, just the thought of having an interior that cluttered with gauges makes me sick. If I were you, I wouldn't put them anywhere that is really distracting, like on your dash. Well, actually, if I were you, I wouldn't run so many gauges in a street car. I know, you said it's a race car, but obviously you're running on the street (you said you're keeping a heater, so you're not going all out race, sorry to say it).
Okay, let's say that you do indeed need all the gauges AND let's say that you're racing the car. In this case, you'd want to put the gauges somewhere so you can check them, but not somewhere that will impose on your vision of the track. It is infinitely more important to see what you're moving towards at 100+ mph than it is to see that you're exhaust has climbed 12 degrees (correct me if I'm wrong on that!!).
So, why not bite the bullet and make a race car. Take out all that center console **** (do you have a stereo too? ditch it or reloctate it) and put in a piece of aluminum with gauges mounted in it. The only ones I would be overly concerned with seeing constantly are your water temp and oil pressure. Besides, after maybe an hour of time in there you'll know exactly where the needles should be at and you won't even be glancing at them for more than a fraction of a second at a time.
Sorry to really let it all out, but race cars do not need A-pillars and dash mounts for gauges. Street racers do that and all it really nets them is a way to show off the fact that they purchased every gauge they could. Which reminds me, why do you need a boost gauge if you're n/a?
Anyway, do whatcha gotta do, but think before you start cramming gauges down the throat of your car. Layout is the key to a good cockpit.
Good luck.
//rant off
Oh, and btw, I think someone in here took a second gen a-pillar mount and heated it to shrink around a first gen a-pillar. Maybe a search will yield info on that, although I think it was a while back.
//rant on
Uhh, just the thought of having an interior that cluttered with gauges makes me sick. If I were you, I wouldn't put them anywhere that is really distracting, like on your dash. Well, actually, if I were you, I wouldn't run so many gauges in a street car. I know, you said it's a race car, but obviously you're running on the street (you said you're keeping a heater, so you're not going all out race, sorry to say it).
Okay, let's say that you do indeed need all the gauges AND let's say that you're racing the car. In this case, you'd want to put the gauges somewhere so you can check them, but not somewhere that will impose on your vision of the track. It is infinitely more important to see what you're moving towards at 100+ mph than it is to see that you're exhaust has climbed 12 degrees (correct me if I'm wrong on that!!).
So, why not bite the bullet and make a race car. Take out all that center console **** (do you have a stereo too? ditch it or reloctate it) and put in a piece of aluminum with gauges mounted in it. The only ones I would be overly concerned with seeing constantly are your water temp and oil pressure. Besides, after maybe an hour of time in there you'll know exactly where the needles should be at and you won't even be glancing at them for more than a fraction of a second at a time.
Sorry to really let it all out, but race cars do not need A-pillars and dash mounts for gauges. Street racers do that and all it really nets them is a way to show off the fact that they purchased every gauge they could. Which reminds me, why do you need a boost gauge if you're n/a?
Anyway, do whatcha gotta do, but think before you start cramming gauges down the throat of your car. Layout is the key to a good cockpit.
Good luck.
//rant off
Oh, and btw, I think someone in here took a second gen a-pillar mount and heated it to shrink around a first gen a-pillar. Maybe a search will yield info on that, although I think it was a while back.
Find Racing
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by MIKE-P-28
I used a 2nd gen one, its really really close. Just a little adjustemnt to the top edge with a heat gun and its a nice fit. I got mine from autometer like 15 bucks
I used a 2nd gen one, its really really close. Just a little adjustemnt to the top edge with a heat gun and its a nice fit. I got mine from autometer like 15 bucks
@bcty - no worries man. moremazda's a good guy, he lives around my area. Whatever you decide, I'm sure we'd all love to see the pics of it! Good luck!
Hey Redwood, Ive been interested in seeing your car, you should come to the next meet we have. Ive only been to a few of them, but you never seem to be there? I just like to have a face to put with a name, ya know 
.
~T.J.
.~T.J.
Airflow is my life
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,736
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, Fl
Hey Redwood, not to fuel the fire but lotsa "real" racecars have heaters. Required for Spec-7, ITA, ITR, IT7. We have "real" racecars ya know! Just ask my neighbors when I fire it up! 
I do agree with your placement idea. You dont need to be looking at those gauges all the time. They are distracting. Mount them where you can glance at them once per lap. WHere the stereo was is a great idea. My oil temp, oil press and water temps are all there. I did basically what specRX7_22 did. I didnt use a for sale sign though LOL.
I do agree with your placement idea. You dont need to be looking at those gauges all the time. They are distracting. Mount them where you can glance at them once per lap. WHere the stereo was is a great idea. My oil temp, oil press and water temps are all there. I did basically what specRX7_22 did. I didnt use a for sale sign though LOL.
Find Racing
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by specRX7_22
first of all...... why not just get rid of dash and console??? RULES.... stupid SpecRX7 rules. secondly, most of the guages can be checked when the car is still hot coming off the track, or if its necessary to check while driving, summit point has a LOONG straight for that lol. thirdly, these guages are by no means in the line of view. there down at shifter level, faces pointing straight back, NOT at the driver. for no reason will a driver have to take away from concentration to check guages. and my dad and i definately did NOT go crazy with dash mounts. our "dash mount" is a FOR SALE sign turned backwards screwed to the plastic down the center column. this was the best location we felt.
first of all...... why not just get rid of dash and console??? RULES.... stupid SpecRX7 rules. secondly, most of the guages can be checked when the car is still hot coming off the track, or if its necessary to check while driving, summit point has a LOONG straight for that lol. thirdly, these guages are by no means in the line of view. there down at shifter level, faces pointing straight back, NOT at the driver. for no reason will a driver have to take away from concentration to check guages. and my dad and i definately did NOT go crazy with dash mounts. our "dash mount" is a FOR SALE sign turned backwards screwed to the plastic down the center column. this was the best location we felt.
EDIT: To respond to Carl: I know, I know, I figured that would catch me quick.
To respond to RMD: The only meet we've had since I got my car running (I use the term loosely) was last weekend, and that was rained out for me
Come out to the march 2nd auto-x and you can see it all you want.
Last edited by Redwood; Feb 20, 2003 at 08:13 PM.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Eastern PA
Originally posted by Redwood
Who are you?!?!? I wasn't even talking to you. Hell, I've never even seen your car! I'm sorry but I think you're mistaken about something.
Who are you?!?!? I wasn't even talking to you. Hell, I've never even seen your car! I'm sorry but I think you're mistaken about something.
Thread Starter
Boost This!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, B.C, Canada
keep trying.. lovin your help.. hows the car coming anyways? any updated pics? i think if anything.. i will keep the boost where i can see it and the A/f Gauge.. now to see if i can find a "cheep" wideband.. like that will happen... anyways.. is there any other gauges I should try to keep my eye on more then others? i woulg guess Boost / A/F / Water Temp..
Find Racing
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by bcty
keep trying.. lovin your help.. hows the car coming anyways? any updated pics? i think if anything.. i will keep the boost where i can see it and the A/f Gauge.. now to see if i can find a "cheep" wideband.. like that will happen... anyways.. is there any other gauges I should try to keep my eye on more then others? i woulg guess Boost / A/F / Water Temp..
keep trying.. lovin your help.. hows the car coming anyways? any updated pics? i think if anything.. i will keep the boost where i can see it and the A/f Gauge.. now to see if i can find a "cheep" wideband.. like that will happen... anyways.. is there any other gauges I should try to keep my eye on more then others? i woulg guess Boost / A/F / Water Temp..
No, I just tried (unsuccessfully mind you) to upload a couple of good gauge pics in a Series 2 RX-7 that would look right at home with what he wants.
But the Freaking Forum won't let me upload anything.
I tried over 30 times.
But the Freaking Forum won't let me upload anything.
I tried over 30 times.
What about one of these? im sure you could make one of them fit.
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_agrp.asp?SName=Dash_Inserts
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_agrp.asp?SName=Dash_Inserts
Find Racing
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by Maguire
What about one of these? im sure you could make one of them fit.
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_agrp.asp?SName=Dash_Inserts
What about one of these? im sure you could make one of them fit.
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_agrp.asp?SName=Dash_Inserts
Originally posted by Maguire
yeah.. but his is $50. and this is $16.
yeah.. but his is $50. and this is $16.
Only problem for the original thread starter is, that it's only for 84/85 North American Models.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 2
From: Jax, FL
Sorry, it was www.gaugepod.com that I got the pillar pod from.
Thread Starter
Boost This!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, B.C, Canada
yeah like i said earlyer i bet the best way to do things would mount a few just in fron of the vents.. the ones you would wanna monitor most of the time.. and i think ill buy some metal or the plastic stuff they use to install your deck.. and cut holes in that and mount in under the header controls.. i thought about moving the heater controls but the whole dash plastic front part in all one piece.. and there tucked up high enough anyways.. so 3 gauges up in front of the vents in a L shape bracket and 2 or 3 under the stereo..