hehe, those mats are over 10 yrs old, from my first FC, more to keep the mud off the floor than anything else. I plant on redoing all the carpet in new black when i get a chance, I'll be getting regular mats at that point.

The center panel has been improved, I did quite a few more rounds of bondo, sanding, priming, sanding, glazing, sanding, etc.... I plan on making a mold of this in the next couple weeks so it has to be absolutely perfect. I plan on making a few different molds, one like it is now, then one with the ashtray and lighter filled in, and one with everything filled in.

 

How about making one where u replace the ashtray and lighter with 4-5 52mm gauge holes and (optional) filling in the upper 3?That would make room for all the "important" stuff that is too many, the vents and stereo?

The ashtray is out my window and my lighters in my pocket or compartment.

 

I dont recall there being much depth in the lighter/ashtray area, I was going to put my boost controller there, it was only like 3" deep, and it would not fit.

 

^
Rob is right. Very shallow area there. I tried fitment of a 52mm gauge there and the face stood out about an inch.

 

That's what happened to me when I tried to put my Greddy boost controller down there, it's too shallow to allow it to sit flush with the front. You could probably cut away some plastic behind it but I decided to go a different route and make this panel with the deleted AC. I intend to locate the boost controller under the three gauges for now....

I am going to make one with the ashtray and lighter cutout for people that want tp retain stock similarity. I am also going to make "blank" panels that don't have any holes or cutouts, that way people can cut out whatever they need, you could even keep your AC.... I plan on making these in FG first and hopefully CF soon.

Are the back sides of the center panels different from S4 to S5 or is it just the front that looks different? Would a center panel from an S4 fit in an S5?

 

the problem with trying to make those out of glass or cf is the mounting, you have to glass tabs on there seperate from making the mold.

someone already sells blank panels out of CF and glass, im not sure how thier's mounts.

 

Something simple you know.

 

lmao awesome francogt i love what you did..
the shifter location looks to be very comfortable and ergonomic!

hehehe jk

 

I am aware that I will not be the first to make a FG panel. I didn't come up with the idea, just want to expand and improve upon the current offerings.

But, yeah the mounting is the tricky part, I have it pretty good for my S4 , now I just want to know if the dash is the same in an S5. I know the trim panels are different looking but I need to know if they mount in a similar fashion.

 

you modified a stock panel, which uses stock mounting points, making one of glass is a different game.

 

Do you guys think that the climate control system will fit under the stereo therefore I can put the gauges higher up?

 

measure it?

 

Yeah I started with the stock S4 surround, and then modified with FG and filler until I got it to the desired form; this is my plug for my mold. I'm in the process of making the mold and will start laying up new pieces in the next couple weeks.

At this point I have a couple options for mounting, but it almost certainly won;t be just like the stock pieces. I am trying to find out if the dash side of the S5 is much different than the S4 dash where the radio surround attaches.

 

Just fab'ed up a gauge pod for my wide band. Hopefully its the last gauge I have to put in.

 

The wide band pod I made was under $10 from Home Depot Racing. 1 1/2" pvc cap .68c, lighting mounting threw bolt kit $1, scrap piece of sheat metal, scrap piece of 1/2" black hose, and $5 spray can for wrinkle finish. I removed the vent and traced the outline on a piece of sheet metal. Drilled hole in the center and cut it out with tin snips. Sanded inside of 1 1/2" pvc so gauge would press in. Drilled hole in pvc. Cleaned and painted. Made a piece of sheat metal that will act as a clamp when installed. Routed wires and tightened down pod. Pushed in gauge.

 

^ I like that set up it looks good,

 

^ that is a terrible place for a boost gauge.

 

I know. I'm going to make a steering column mount.

 

like this?

 

 

How much did you drop on that display?

 

nevermind the old *** sunpro oil pressure....


all VDO gauges

 

hks boost gauge
vdo water temp gauge
usually my principles is to stick with mostly jdm brand gauges in a Japanese car, but vdo gauges is cool. I may add more later, but its a street car, no need to go all out in my opinion

 

those are jdm seats right?

 

im not sure
i dont think they are.. but i think they are pretty decent for oem