Intrest in US-made Carbon Fiber gauge pod for dash?
01-24-2007, 03:02 PM
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Intrest in US-made Carbon Fiber gauge pod for dash?
Okay guys... I'm a glutton for punishment, but Shine Auto Project's willing to see about making a LHD 3-hole dash gauge pod. No pre-selling or getting 20 people before they'll start. I think there's enough interest now to get this one going, and you've already seen what I've done with their help on the flexible fiberglass Burnout body kit. Less than two months from the time we received the kit to ready-to-ship status... would have been less if not for the holidays.
First question, is there a JDM gauge pod style the group would like to see. I don't want a rivet-on panel. Those look pretty crappy, IMHO.
Second question, the cost would be lower if part of the OEM panel were duplicated in fiberglass (pebble grain included) with the raised "pod holders" made in smooth carbon fiber. I'm trying to take visibility into account here too.
Third question, how do I get my stock panel off? Is it just snapped into place with quick-clips?
All replies welcome.
First question, is there a JDM gauge pod style the group would like to see. I don't want a rivet-on panel. Those look pretty crappy, IMHO.
Second question, the cost would be lower if part of the OEM panel were duplicated in fiberglass (pebble grain included) with the raised "pod holders" made in smooth carbon fiber. I'm trying to take visibility into account here too.
Third question, how do I get my stock panel off? Is it just snapped into place with quick-clips?
All replies welcome.
Last edited by PhotoMunkey; 01-24-2007 at 03:07 PM. Reason: bad spelling
01-24-2007, 10:01 PM
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I LIKE the Feed version... but it's not a complete cover, is it? It's just an overlay with a lip hiding in the shadow of the radio display. The RE Amemiya also looks like an overlay, with silly rivets.
Any other candidates...
Any other candidates...
01-25-2007, 03:06 AM
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I, too, like the A-pillar idea, but first, with room in the center of the dash, that's a nice spot, and second, what about the side airbags?
Any photos of good A-pillar pods? I certainly don't want any which put the gauges higher than the steering wheel. Might be too easy to hit your head or hands on them during ingress/egress or while driving.
In my own car I thought a set of carbon fiber A-pillar pieces would be cool, but I will NOT sanction overlays. Those are simply stupid! The ability to mold a correct A-pillar panel is probably not within the feasible realm because of the fragility of the attachment points (if they're similar to Ford designs at all).
Any photos of good A-pillar pods? I certainly don't want any which put the gauges higher than the steering wheel. Might be too easy to hit your head or hands on them during ingress/egress or while driving.
In my own car I thought a set of carbon fiber A-pillar pieces would be cool, but I will NOT sanction overlays. Those are simply stupid! The ability to mold a correct A-pillar panel is probably not within the feasible realm because of the fragility of the attachment points (if they're similar to Ford designs at all).
01-25-2007, 03:16 AM
#7
Originally Posted by PhotoMunkey
I, too, like the A-pillar idea, but first, with room in the center of the dash, that's a nice spot, and second, what about the side airbags?
Any photos of good A-pillar pods? I certainly don't want any which put the gauges higher than the steering wheel. Might be too easy to hit your head or hands on them during ingress/egress or while driving.
In my own car I thought a set of carbon fiber A-pillar pieces would be cool, but I will NOT sanction overlays. Those are simply stupid! The ability to mold a correct A-pillar panel is probably not within the feasible realm because of the fragility of the attachment points (if they're similar to Ford designs at all).
Any photos of good A-pillar pods? I certainly don't want any which put the gauges higher than the steering wheel. Might be too easy to hit your head or hands on them during ingress/egress or while driving.
In my own car I thought a set of carbon fiber A-pillar pieces would be cool, but I will NOT sanction overlays. Those are simply stupid! The ability to mold a correct A-pillar panel is probably not within the feasible realm because of the fragility of the attachment points (if they're similar to Ford designs at all).
not really any good photos. the only stuff out is the ebay stuff that i have seen...
the airbags are NOT an issue, it has been covered before..
the center of my dash is busy, and will be.. to be honest, i find the a pillar more in the line of sight than the center of the dash..
my idea would be to offer one, and offer a cover in the same color for the other side...
beers
01-25-2007, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by PhotoMunkey
I LIKE the Feed version... but it's not a complete cover, is it? It's just an overlay with a lip hiding in the shadow of the radio display. The RE Amemiya also looks like an overlay, with silly rivets.
Any other candidates...
Any other candidates...
The Feed version is probably the more sought after design. Couldn't you use the general design of FEED, but "extend" it to be a replacement instead of an overlay?
01-26-2007, 01:36 AM
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Feed's won't work well with two different size gauges... each "pod" is closely matched to their gauges. Perhaps Shine could do two molds. RE-A's looks to bleh for my taste! It's like Ghostbusters left a giant ecco-turd on the dash!
If someone would kindly tell me how to get this cover off my dash, I'll get to work on this tomorrow!
If someone would kindly tell me how to get this cover off my dash, I'll get to work on this tomorrow!
01-28-2007, 08:11 PM
#16
to get to that dash area you have to go up from the center console.
take off the area around the shifter. then take out the ash trey then out goes the radio the vents then the top dash area
take off the area around the shifter. then take out the ash trey then out goes the radio the vents then the top dash area
01-28-2007, 08:14 PM
#17
two very helpful links:
http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/ipod/rx8/
http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/
http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/ipod/rx8/
http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/
01-29-2007, 03:17 PM
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What does everyone think about 2-hole pods for either side of the instrument cluster, done in CF?
That way everyone (including Navi) can have access to 4 gauges (For a n/a you'd want water temp, oil temp, oil psi and a/f ratio) (For a turbo, boost, plus water tem, oil temp, oil psi, and a/f ratio, I figure you'll have a separate boost controller in the ashtray).
Thoughts?
That way everyone (including Navi) can have access to 4 gauges (For a n/a you'd want water temp, oil temp, oil psi and a/f ratio) (For a turbo, boost, plus water tem, oil temp, oil psi, and a/f ratio, I figure you'll have a separate boost controller in the ashtray).
Thoughts?
01-29-2007, 03:40 PM
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Nice option for people with Navi, but it may be a little cluttered for my liking. Especially since that area above the vents is currently blank. Maybe a quick photoshop will help us picture it.
01-29-2007, 03:45 PM
#20
Originally Posted by PhotoMunkey
What does everyone think about 2-hole pods for either side of the instrument cluster, done in CF?
That way everyone (including Navi) can have access to 4 gauges (For a n/a you'd want water temp, oil temp, oil psi and a/f ratio) (For a turbo, boost, plus water tem, oil temp, oil psi, and a/f ratio, I figure you'll have a separate boost controller in the ashtray).
Thoughts?
That way everyone (including Navi) can have access to 4 gauges (For a n/a you'd want water temp, oil temp, oil psi and a/f ratio) (For a turbo, boost, plus water tem, oil temp, oil psi, and a/f ratio, I figure you'll have a separate boost controller in the ashtray).
Thoughts?
beers
