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Bubble Tech Aluminum Dash

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Old Oct 8, 2013 | 11:10 PM
  #1  
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Talking Bubble Tech Aluminum Dash

We are happy to announce a new product to our line up!

Introducing our aluminum dash. It is design to fit the stock dash bar with minimal cutting. These are hand made dashes are constructed from 4 pieces, Top, Face, and 2 sides (to fill the gap). The multiple pieces make for an easy installation and make it much easier to mock up/cut to add accessories. Perfect to retrofit your aftermarket gauges, racepak, stack guage cluster, etc!

Finish: Hand Brushed aluminum
Includes hardware and rubber strips

Price $285
Order: FD Dash

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Old Oct 9, 2013 | 01:42 AM
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Looks great! Did you record if there was any weight savings vs the original dash? Also are you going to eventually offer a carbon fiber version?
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Old Oct 9, 2013 | 09:34 AM
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Ooooooo
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Old Oct 9, 2013 | 09:53 AM
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guaranteed there is a significant weight savings^^^
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Old Oct 9, 2013 | 12:23 PM
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Can't wait to get my grubby mitts on this! Thanks again Benny!
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Old Oct 9, 2013 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mannykiller
guaranteed there is a significant weight savings^^^
You realize he kept the core support of the dash and only replaced the skin correct? The dash skin does not weigh much at all. I would actually not be surprised if it was lighter than this aluminum piece (not including gauges and controls of course).

Typically a race dash is done in reverse of this. When installing a cage you remove the core support of the dash and retain the dash skin, mounting everything to the cage cross bar. The weight savings comes from removing the dash core support.
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by LuvingMy93FD
Looks great! Did you record if there was any weight savings vs the original dash? Also are you going to eventually offer a carbon fiber version?
The stock bare bone dash trim, 100% bare bone without any trim/plastic weights 7.5lbs. the stock dash bar weights about 9-10lbs Our dash weights 4.6lbs and allows you to cut off all the tabs/braces off the stock dash bar which should shed ~1lbs. Now take into account to mount the OEM gauge cluster or and aftermarket gauge cluster you will need the gauge hood and a some trim, + to cover the open holes (vent/speakers) you'll be adding more weight (though very minimal) We do not plan to offer this in a CF version. BUT if you really wanted, we could do a custom order for you.

Originally Posted by charlesc76
Can't wait to get my grubby mitts on this! Thanks again Benny!
Youre welcome cant wait to see that car finished!


JhnRx7 also commented on one of our post elsewhere that touch upon some of the same things so we wanted to combine them and address them here as well so im going to copy and paste it in here:
Originally Posted by JhnRx7
You realize he kept the core support of the dash and only replaced the skin correct? The dash skin does not weigh much at all. I would actually not be surprised if it was lighter than this aluminum piece (not including gauges and controls of course).

Typically a race dash is done in reverse of this. When installing a cage you remove the core support of the dash and retain the dash skin, mounting everything to the cage cross bar. The weight savings comes from removing the dash core support.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is this supposed to be an aesthetic modification or is this intended for track cars? IMO for a race dash the primary goal is to get rid of the main dash structure underneath to shed weight. All the accessories such as the steering column and dash skin would then mount up to a roll cage cross bar. Also I feel if for race car purposes the cutouts for the A-pillars would not be necessary.


If it is an aesthetic mod, then what about the window defroster? I feel this is pretty important to keep in a street car.
As most of our designs, its hybrid of both we like to mix the street/track car style. Depending what youre after, it could work for either or. It is also not a direct solution for one problem, rather it addresses a few issues. IIRC that isnt completely true, if they remove the dash structure, what is holding up the steering column? Generally if the car is getting caged its just a basic bar, but still there.

Now i just shipped a stock dash bar and with packaging it weight 10.3lbs
in terms of a custom welded in dash bar alone without mounting tabs is ~7 lbs

For comparison (per foot) dash is 48" so multiply by 4
diameter wall thickness weight
Chromoly
1.50 0.120 1.769 lb
DOM
1.50 0.120 1.769 lb
HREW
1.50 0.120 1.769 lb

So if you shave the stock dash bar to the bare bar with the 2 tabs needed to support our dash skin, the weight difference is very minimal. Also retaining the stock dash allows the customer a plug and play option vs needing to get a custom dash bar made.

As far as the a-pillar cut out, this was specifically designed for a customer and we are just offering the design we came up with, we can modify it to the customers liking, he requested it because he does not have a cage and aesthetically, it is more pleasing then the bare sheet metal.

Now the stock skin completely bare bone without any trim is 7.5lbs, our skin is 4.6lbs. Our real selling point is supplying an option for those who run aftermarket gauges. To run and aftermarket gauge set up (eliminating stock cluster) you will need to modify or purchase a blank gauge face, which would probably run you the same cost of our dash. On top of that now if you want to shed more weight with the stock dash you have to get rid of the trim etc, now you have open holes that are an eye sore (some may care so many not)
also to run more gauges, boost, oil temp/pressure, afr, egt etc, you will need to spend more money on a gauge cluster or a blank AC panel trim. at that point you are probably spending twice as much as it would cost to use our dash and install your gauges directly into the dash face.

As far as defrosters go, we are assuming people who are looking to purchase our dash are not very concerned about defrosters either it be A. its a track car or B. its a weekend car/show car/not a daily driver that doesnt drive in that kind of weather. With that said, for my personal car, which i plan to DD, i will be retrofitting my own A/c heat and defrosters.


I will take pictures of the parts that need to be trimmed tomorrow and remove all the extra tabs and braces as well to see how much more weight can be shaved (Im assuming it will be about 1 lbs, nothing dramatic)
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Old Oct 21, 2013 | 10:27 PM
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Finally got some pictures illustrating what needs to be cut off to install this dashName:  DSC_0677.jpg
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More tabs you can eliminate to clean up the dash bar/ shed weight (maybe 1lbs?)
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Tabs you need to KEEP- this is what the top dash mounts to (both sides)
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Old Oct 25, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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How much more would it cost if you added a piece where the AC panel would be? I would like to hide the wiring and cover the dash support.
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Old Oct 26, 2013 | 03:17 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by Raiden20
How much more would it cost if you added a piece where the AC panel would be? I would like to hide the wiring and cover the dash support.
For something basic, (which I will still over complex) just a bare panel $25, edges will be rolled/bent for added rigidity, edges will be rounded/deburred hardware will be included (the plastic trim style screws) which will connect to the two tabs below the center dash
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Old Oct 31, 2013 | 07:26 PM
  #11  
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So aluminum is not your thing? NO PROBLEM!

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=)
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Old Nov 28, 2013 | 01:43 PM
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what does this mount to? I have no dash bar anymore was replaced by chromolly when the cage went in.
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Old Nov 30, 2013 | 04:15 AM
  #13  
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it is designed to attach to a stock dash bar for the ease of installation. If you have an after market/custom one it will require some fab work
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 12:05 PM
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Bubble Tech Aluminum Dash-irwfa60.jpg
Few Dashes in stock! We have just updated the finish and our dashes now come in a pre-painted matte black with vinyl coating which protects the finish during fabrication and shipping!

Stock:
1- LHD Dash at discount ($20 off, due to a few "extra holes that were mis-aligned. only cosmetic but not visible at all once the dash face is screwed on

1- RHD Dash

A few more will be made to stock up in a week or so.
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Old Aug 22, 2014 | 04:05 PM
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New item! Center console addition!
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So you shed some weight and slimmed down on your dash with a Bubble Tech race dash. Not enough real estate for your gauges and switch panel? We gotchu. Our drop Gauge switch panel is designed specifically to integrate with our Aluminum dash. It is a 3 piece construction, Face plate, access door and mounting bracket. the removable access door allows you to trouble shoot your electronics without removing the panel.

*All hardware is included, requires drilling for 2 self tapping screws in the trans tunnel*
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Old Aug 22, 2014 | 10:07 PM
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nice
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Old Sep 28, 2014 | 01:58 PM
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take my money
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 11:56 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Skeeg
take my money
Sure! Shoot it our way Aluminum Race Dash ? Bubble Tech


Another customer sent pic! Dont mind the protective plastic wrap, the customer was mocking the dash up and didnt remove it yet
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Old Oct 1, 2014 | 12:03 PM
  #19  
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That's my dash! Lol yeah thing looks great installed! Fitment was spot on and looks great. I will be posting up more pics after I finish my wire job.
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Old Oct 3, 2014 | 08:01 PM
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Constructive criticism

Have you thought about any kind of built in visor type shield for over the gauge area so you don't get glare on the gauges when in the sun?
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Old Oct 3, 2014 | 08:38 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by TwinCharged RX7
Constructive criticism

Have you thought about any kind of built in visor type shield for over the gauge area so you don't get glare on the gauges when in the sun?
Yes if ineed be, but haven't gotten any complaints or issues to warrant development As always, if there is an issue with any of our products, we will address them accordingly!
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Old Nov 25, 2014 | 08:36 PM
  #22  
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Black Friday Sale! Check site for pricing!
Aluminum Race Dash ? Bubble Tech
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Old Nov 27, 2014 | 03:48 PM
  #23  
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any rhd?
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Old Nov 29, 2014 | 02:22 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by rollcoal
any rhd?
Yessir! RHD available! We left the sale up for another day!
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Old Dec 27, 2014 | 09:16 PM
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Make an FC version and iam all over it , Nice looking product guys!
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