Gauge mounting solutions

BlueR3 · 05-04-2010, 07:58 PM

Has anyone here mounted any gauges yet? And if so please post what you used, what gauges and where they hook up. I was planning on getting the racing beat ashtray mount and then buying seperate gauges since the whole kit won't work on our model years. Anyone know if the ashtray mount will fit? Also any good ideas where to tap in for oil press and temp?

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laythor · 05-04-2010, 10:16 PM

are you serious?

look up at the search button, click on it, search for "gauge" in titles only. You'll get 2 pages of hits and half of those are people using all manner of gauge pod set ups.

BlueR3 · 05-04-2010, 11:23 PM

Well I was looking at the series II interior sections when I decided to make this post to all series II owners. Sorry I don't have time to sift through all threads about gauges to find series II owners. If there is allready posts with series II cars I apologize for wasting your time looking at this and a link would have more helpful than a smug comment.

laythor · 05-04-2010, 11:59 PM

a lot of the options used in the series 1 will work in the series 2.

BlueR3 · 05-05-2010, 12:24 AM

Thanks I appreciate the post. Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be wasting my time and money.

steve2tails · 05-05-2010, 03:13 AM

http://www.rx8club.com/album.php?alb...ictureid=16780
this is what my boy did for me.

MC8jai · 05-05-2010, 08:16 PM

with the gauge pod put it, can u still use the bluetooth since the mic for the bluetooth is right in the middle. Also did the centre speaker works as well?
How did you hook up your gauges/sensor? Where did you put your oil temp/pressure sensor?

Also these question are for series II owner only. It is actually quite different from series I.

BlueR3 · 05-06-2010, 02:35 AM

Well I ordered some prosport gauges and a whole bunch of accessories today. I'll do a step by step with photos when I go to do the final install to help all us series II owners out.

MC8jai · 05-06-2010, 02:38 PM

yea please do. I am still trying to figure out how / where to put the oil pressure/temp sensor.

1 more thing I would want to know is the actual oil pressure readings...for SII the peak oil pressure is about 156 psi which most gauge won't able to read.

BlueR3 · 05-06-2010, 05:50 PM

Yeah, the oil gauges are going to be a pain I think so when I do this I'm going to dedicate a whole weekend. I've read that the oil press is higher, that's why I went with the ProSport gauge, at least it goes to 150 part #216SMBLOPSWL270-PK so I'm guessing I won't peg until full throttle?(hopefully) Also, the sending unit on that gauge doesn't look as massively big compared to the regular or digital one so once again, hopefully it fits in there. Autometer makes like 1 or 2 that go to 200 but I didn't like the way they looked.

MC8jai · 05-06-2010, 08:01 PM

I have been doing a bit of researching on where to mount the sensor, since you can't use the typical sandwich block type, since there is no room where the oil filter is. The solution might be using a oil filter relocate kit. Basically this is what holding me back from getting gauges. Also where/how to mount the gauges is another problem, since there is no pod made for the SII, unless custom.

MC8jai · 05-07-2010, 10:43 AM

oh yea, is a pain in the ***.

BlueR3 · 05-07-2010, 04:51 PM

Does the oil filter block straight up not fit in there or does it just not fit with the sensors attached? Also did you try the racing beat or prosport block?

steve2tails · 05-08-2010, 01:21 AM

I called racing beat and they told me flat out that there block was not going to work. So I took a look at the prosport and I said to my self it has to work. When I was putting it on I notice there is a bolt that sticks out below the oil filter. Normally I would have cut it a bit so I can attach the plate but this bolt looks to important to cut down but like I said before Knight Sports has an Oil Outlet adaptor which say it will work with our SII but to get it state side is the problem.

MC8jai · 05-08-2010, 02:45 PM

Do you know where does that oil outlet adapter goes? Trying to find a picture of it install but no luck.

kster · 05-11-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2tails

Sorry MC8jai I didnt answer sooner. 1: I have a touch screen nav with blue tooth so I'm not useing the factory ones. 2: I got rid of the center speaker and had another one install in the rear. Now as for set up I taped into the factory oil temp sensor for the guage to work. as for the water temp use a 34mm adaptor. I'm useing the same guages as BlueR3 All prosport Premium Series Peak / Warning Gauges which matches the factory lighting. Now for the oil pressure I dont have an f'n clue since the sandwich block dosnt fit at all trust me I tried. As for an oil relocation kit might work but the only problem is if it's not done right you will leak oil and cause catastrophic engine failure so I wouldn't do that Kight Sports has an Oil Outlet adaptor which say it will work with our SII but to get it state side is the other problem. Hope I answered all of your questions.

Can you elaborate some more on how you connect an oil temp gauge into the factory oil temp sensor? Are you using electrical gauges?

What is the 34mm adaptor needed for? Are you using the Racing Beat water temp sensor adapter?

Thanks.

1stgen8 · 05-11-2010, 11:04 PM

Here is a pic of my last project. I also fiberglassed my own ashtray pod. I found a thread a while back that said Racing Beat may not make an ashtray pod for the series II cause there wasn't a great demand from the series I owners.

steve2tails · 05-12-2010, 02:30 AM

I took out the factory guage cluster and tapped and solder the wires together. Don't do it unless you know what your doing. I'm using electrial guages Prosport Premium Series Peak / Warning Gauges The 34mm Adaptor is for the water temp sensor if your going to add that guage. Racing Beat was very vage about their unit working with our year so I got the prosport one it should be red in color(model # 34mm-Red) . I should have taken pics of the build up to show everyone but the bulid up was getting me agravated. Go to my pics and you can see the finish result.

BlueR3 · 05-15-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC8jai

yea please do. I am still trying to figure out how / where to put the oil pressure/temp sensor.

1 more thing I would want to know is the actual oil pressure readings...for SII the peak oil pressure is about 156 psi which most gauge won't able to read.

I just got my Technicians manual for the car. It just mentions oil press should be around 76psi +/- a little bit depending on the car @3,000rpm. Also the book shows the factory oil press sensor and also a test point with a plug in it that could probably be fitted with a T fitting for both the temp and press senders. I didn't see anything that 2tails was saying about the factory oil temp probe that he tapped into but I'll look closer. I'll post when I start, still waiting for my roll of carbon fiber fabric, resin, oil cooler screens and REVi to come in. I'm going to make my own triple gauge mount like racing beat's for the ash tray along with a few pieces for under the hood.

kster · 05-15-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueR3

I just got my Technicians manual for the car. It just mentions oil press should be around 76psi +/- a little bit depending on the car @3,000rpm. Also the book shows the factory oil press sensor and also a test point with a plug in it that could probably be fitted with a T fitting for both the temp and press senders. I didn't see anything that 2tails was saying about the factory oil temp probe that he tapped into but I'll look closer. I'll post when I start, still waiting for my roll of carbon fiber fabric, resin, oil cooler screens and REVi to come in. I'm going to make my own triple gauge mount like racing beat's for the ash tray along with a few pieces for under the hood.

It would be great if you could post up project details as you move along. I know I'd really appreciate a solution to our gauge install.

BlueR3 · 05-15-2010, 11:40 PM

As soon as I start I will be taking pics and posting what did/didn't work in hopes of helping all SII owners with their gauge install projects. Looks like not this weekend but next will be my start of the project. I will keep you informed.

MC8jai · 05-31-2010, 09:27 PM

any news with the install?

BlueR3 · 06-01-2010, 05:24 AM

Starting today. Hopefully I will have some good and useful news for you all later on.

BlueR3 · 06-01-2010, 05:20 PM

Well today went well. I got all of the senders mounted and will start to tackle the interior and get a mock up of the gauges mounted so I can make my own ashtray area cluster. Tomorrow evening I will start a new album with my pics and maybe a DIY thread. Ill explain the best I can when I have the pics up, but here are some items you will need........

1.) The WRX adapter kit from Prosport.....or if you can find a steel braided line with 1/8th" pipe fittings.

2.) A brass T-fitting that has 3 female 1/8th" ports from your local home improvement center.

3.) Despite what others have said, I had great success with the SILVER 38mm water hose adapter.
I bought both the red and the silver and like the silver's fit better.

Mind you, this is for Prosport gauges. If you get a different brand, you might need a different T-fitting, but the access on the motor that you tap into is 1/8th".

Here are some pics of connecting the senders.......http://www.rx8club.com/members/bluer3-55210-albums-sii-gauges-2489/

Will post more tomorrow.

BlueR3 · 06-02-2010, 05:52 PM

So I got everything installed today, but there is some good and some bad to it. I'll address it all here now. First, my above mentioned part list is partially right. The T-fitting will not allow "new" oil into the line so the oil press works, but the temp gauge doesn't so I need to look further into making the setup circulate to get oil temp. The press and water temp work great. My cluster came out only OK, gonna make another in a few weekends but I am satisfied with my first attempt. Except I accidentally scraped the trim panel to it's right so I'm gonna try to polish it out a bit, and if it still looks crappy ill try to buy a new one.....haste made me screw up, oh well. Well take a look, I'm not completely happy with it keep in mind......and yes I know, the oil press gauge is different than the other 2, I wanted it to "pop" more so that was the first gauge I notice when I glance down. http://www.rx8club.com/album.php?albumid=2489