Gauge package add-on?
 

I have just registered! I have an RX-8 and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I would like to ask if anyone knows if I can add a three gauge cluster to the driver-side window column? Please let me know what you think!

Thanks,
RDS

Welcome to the forum! :D

Try searching the Interiors/Audio/Electronics forum, there is at least 1 on the market that I am aware of.

Good luck with that.. there is an airbag there that you would have to remove to put it on... That is if you don't want the gauge pod possibly getting thrown into your face if the airbag goes off. If you remove it you'll get a CEL on constantly for sure ;)

Welcome to the cult, er, I mean club :)

other than looking butt-ass ugly over there, I'm sure it would be cool. Welcome.

Welcome to the forum. I wanted the 3 gauge cluster on the pillar myself, but the airbag convinced me that I shouldnt. If you do get it, post some pics, I'd like to see it.

ah i am getting defi bf link gauges installed on my a-pillar (oil temp, oil pressure, water temp) there is no airbag in the pillar just it's in the ceiling. i know everyone think it is in the pillar b/c it say srs airbag there.......but if they put that on the cieling it woudl lok pretty funny. One of the manuels for the 8 has the locations to all airbags (forgot which one but i have them all:p) but for those of you who still doubt here is a pic of the airbag deployed.:D

hehe here is a pic of one of the members on here with the gauges on his 8 in japan (forgot his screen name sorry)

army beat me to it, but it is true that there is no actual airbag in the A-pillar. And he posted the pic, so now I don't have to. And, if you look closely in the pic, the A-pillar cover piece is still quite intact in its original location. So, I personally don't think you have to worry about wearing the A-pillar gauges as a "hat" if your airbag deploys.

Army, Scud, THANK YOU!
Now I can happily look for gauges again. Those defi are SOOO nice looking. BUt they cost alot too dont they?
For anyone that knows, how hard is it to install these gauges?

hehehe finaly i beat someone to something...although you did use better jokes...hehe "hat" :D

not hard all you need to do is find the sensor attachment they come with everything else. my three gauges plus control unit II cost me 749.00 that included shiping:D (just waiting fo rthe last gauge in arrive...come on oil temp...don't leave me hangin')

do you have a gauge pod all lined up as well? I'm holding out til I go FI, then I'll do oil temp, water temp, and boost (unless the mystery of oil pressure sensing on this car is ever figured out, and then I'll have to figure out a way to do four gauges)

Army, how hard is it to find the sensors? Will the gauges come with instructions on how to do this?

rdstalker, sorry for taking your thread and running with it. :o

teh gauges come with teh sensors and all wires needed...teh sensor attachment can be found at a performance car shop. I'm just going to attach the gauges right to the a-pillar...i got the optional defi-link fitting kit (made to attach right to teh stearing column or a-pillar) to attach them:D should lok pretty good. I was going to wait for fi to get it and boost gauge but they were taking to long so i splurged (spelling?). but i can alwasy get fuel pressure, egt, and boost in a custom gauge cluster above the radio (like the mazdaspeed gauges) later.:D but right now i made enough of a dent in my very tiny pigy bank this x-mas:(

wow sorry for my really crappy typing/spelling skills:(

In my personal opinion, this is something better left to professional grease monkeys; I know I plan to. Then I can blame them if they screw it up. But, to each his own.

I hear you about the piggy bank. Mine's almost empty until I can deploy again and rake in some tax free and combat pay.

oh yes don't get me wrong i'm not installing them.....it isn't all that hard..but it's the easy things you tend to fudge up lol. i too like the fact that if they mess up i can yell at them...but if i do...i look pretty stupid scolding myself:D

Thank you both, again, and IF I do get them, yes, I think professionals will be doing my install. Hey Scud, you re-deploying soon?

ah wish i could re-deploy again..but they kicked me out (medical discharge 20th nov 2004). last time i was there i cam ehome and baught my 8:D...oh to go again.....i'm gonna miss all my friends over there..sucks to be left behind

This may be a stupid question, but without FI what extra gauges do you need?

personaly i would like functional gauges...i.e. ones that aren't a switch (zero or a one...one being bad zero being good) the stock gauges (as in most cars) don't actually tell you the pressure or temp..just if things are nominal and with in spec.'s for the car. I liek knowing what's goind on. (had a very bad exsperiance one time..long story but it's worth it to me)

Not redeploying very soon; looks like July right now is when I'll be going back over. It'll be my fourth trip to OIF.

wow forth trip is the charm eh? my guys are going back end of jan 05. GOOOOO marne sappers:D