hey guys,
so I have a 1987 Rx7 with the dash above the steering wheel cracked vertically. straight line going from the begging of the dash to the end almost to the defrost grill vents...

i have been searching for a used dash or something. the only feasible option that i have found is the dash mat cover... not to sure about it but is an option.

What is your suggestion guys? what you guys have done with the problem?
Have you guys fixed it?
Cover it?
Replace it?
leave it like that?

thanks

 

All of the interior plastics on my fc are fragile. If I had to replace the dash, I would honestly go with a metal one, like the ones used on race cars. You could either buy an universal one from Summitracing/jegs/etc, or have a custom one made.

Any used replacement part will only get you so far before the plastic starts cracking again

 

thank you for the feed back! do you have any idea where or who can custom made those ?

 

As Knonfs mentioned, any FC dash is going to be prone to failure, simply due to age and UV exposure.
The plastic is simply drying up and crumbling and there's not much you can do about it.

I'd suggest that you have two options:
-There are innumerable YouTube videos covering dash repair and your visible cracks can be dealt with (although the long term efficacy is dubious because the underlying structure is the real problem).

-Delete the stock dash altogether and go totally custom, buy a repo carbon/fiberglass shell or swap in a dash from a newer car.
My preference would be the swap option but you need to be aware of some FC specific difficulties.
-The top of our doorpanels blends into the dash more obtrusively than most and would need modification.
-In most dashes, the centerstack and shift surround are separate, the FC is integrated, so your center console would need adapting as well.
-Finally (and most daunting) would be the electrical.
Specifically, the stock dash holds the very unique and bizarre switchgear, none of which is easily adapted to a "normal" dash.

I have actually studied the swap option with a Miata dash (because of course) and it's definitely do-able...I'm just too lazy.

 

A hot rod speed shop, or a shop that deals with race chassis should be able to get it done for you.

I dont think a a custom simple metal dash itself will be too expensive, but as Clokker mentioned, the switch gear will be where the cost goes up!

 

A common fix for competition cars is to gut the whole thing and install an aftermarket AIM dash that is compatible with a standalone EMS (Adaptronic, AEM, Haltech, etc.).
AiM, The World Leader in Data Acquisition
Racepak is a less-expensive option.
http://www.haltech.com/dashes-data-logging/

However, if this is just a daily driver that has no need for a standalone EMS, then the options already discussed would work better.