I just bought my 1st rx-7 today. This car is INcredible. It needs a lot of work but hey, my dads a mechanic and I've got all the time I need.

Anyway its almost fully stock except for some exhaust work (not sure exactly which sections). This guy didn't even install a boost pressure, which I like -- I'm all about keeping the original stock look. But from what I've read here its recommended, so my question is...what can I do to have the boost psi within view and not within view at the same time : )

 

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1150406608

 

ehhh I'm sticking with the stock stereo so this ones out.

 

You must have a touring. Non-touring models have a single DIN tape deck and a cubby hole under it. Only Touring models came with the double DIN CD/Tape player.

If you want to keep the stock look, your best bet is to go for the 99spec gauge cluster.

http://www.fdnewbieimports.com/Backu...t2pic.php?n=22

 

I installed my boost gauge in the steering column. Its centers the gauge in front of your RPM, you don't have to turn to look at it and is out of site of people walking by. I got mine from pettit, OK fit I've seen better but it works. http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/index_interior.htm

 

Woah thats neat, I remember thinking about just removing one of the current gauges (probably oil pressure like in this cluster you showed me). Hmm I wonder if I can order just that 1 gauge from Japan...

 

Congratulations on the car.
For a stock/near stock car, you also need to monitor temps (oil or water), since the stock guage is worthless.
It's not exactly "clever" but I use the Pettit column mount for boost. As mentioned, it's in the line of sight of the tach. Much more useful IMO. A dab of clear silicone caulk on the tabs of the Pettit pod holds it firmly and flush while still easily removed if needed. My water temp is in the 'A' pillar pod. I trimmed the Autometer 'A' pillar pod at an angle at the bottom and just slid it down between the dash and pillar. Holds very well, even through AutoX events and I didn't have to drill anything. It also places it low(er) than most, so it's discrete and doesn't block my view to the left.

 

That would be my suggestion as well.

 

So far I think I'm leaning towards the steering column mount, especially now that I've seen those gauges of yours...what brand/model are they? They look exactly like the stock ones Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

I just have the gauge mounted real low on the a pillar, honestly you can only see it if you know its there, driver can see it perfect though.

Don't worry that much about looking stock unless you are just doing it for personal preference, I have a full bolt on car with the PFC mounted on the dash (in plain sight) and most people will still believe me when I tell them I'm stock. Now an FD owner could pick my car out as not stock with just a glance, but everyone on the street just begs me to take their money.

 

DEFI 'D' Series. Not exactly like stock but close, even at night. They're discontinued now, but come up now and then in the for-sale section. https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=685253

 

Keeping the car stock is just my preference. Its sort of a way of keeping myself from going overboard with mods...Everything under the hood is stock, and I'm even replacing the AST with a new oem one (not an aftermarket aluminum). I'm afraid that if I see even a glimpse of shinny chrome under the hood I'll be tempted into making everything shiny, know what I mean? (I'm not just talkin looks)

 

if you can find one i would STRONGLY recommend the RE-Amemiya guage. it comes with a replacement top cover for the top part of the steering column with a boost gauge built in. they are very nice and easy to install!

 

Check this pod out:

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/tripower%20pod.htm

It has room for 2 gauges, and mounts in the stock center speaker location without any drilling. I have one in my car, and its easy to see but not in the way. I would also recommend the new greddy gauges. The backlighting matches up perfectly with the stock gauge cluster, and they are reasonably priced (rx7store.net has them as well).

Since the pod I linked to has room for 2 gauges, I would suggest getting a water temp gauge in addition to the boost. (this is a highly recommended reliability mod)

Also, I removed my stock gauge cluster in an effort to install some greddy gauges into the stock water temp, and oil pressure locations. I really wanted a stock look as well, and I hated the idea of having 2 usless gauges in the car. I decided not to do it though, as it would have required a fair amount of cutting on both the cluster and the gauge. Some people here have gone that route though, and there is at least one writeup floating around.

 

The steering column mount is possibly the best solution since it looks like something that came from the factory. I have an RE-Amemiya boost guage that I want to sale. its in excellent (like new) condition. Let me know if you're interested.

 

if you're gonna bother with the AST at all, then get the aluminum one. way way better.

or you could wait til you blow your (first) engine, and then streeport and single it and get rid of the ast all together.

 

Here's another option, rather involved though. SPA gauges in the dash, they're quite a few configurations you can choose from.

https://www.rx7club.com/nw-rx-7-forum-33/fd-restoration-%24%24%24%24-damnit-525920/page21/

 

Verrry clean, love it. I'm guessing theres a boost gauge available in that style too... Even the back light matches pretty well with the stock one of the other gauges. I was looking for non-digital gauges but these don't look at all that bad. Great find.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-exterior-audio-26/molded-din-panel-under-radio-193580/

Old... but worked good for me.

 

He has a touring model and wants to keep the stock stereo, so that's out.


There was an FD sold here last year that had the cubby pocket on the door modified for gauges. I think it'd make them hard to see, but it looked really nice.

 

Digital gauages are hideous! Get the RE Amemiya column mount, guage included, like all the other cool kids. The defi is not a bad option but youll have to go through pettit to get the column mount sans guage at the same price as with the guage(iirc), and pay and arm and a leg for the defi guage. The RE guage is RX7 specific, matches nicely, and is super JDM tyte, yo!1

Autometer is garbage, btw. Ive had multiple malfunctioning guages from them.