05rex8

iTrader: (7)

^about your sig....how does redlining have anything to do with flooding?
lulz.

Josh[dl]

helps keep carbon buildup off the plugs, keeping better sparking, thus better fuel burning. less likely for it to flood if your plugs will have a good enough spark to burn up the gas that may get stuck there.

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

Josh[dl]

its really not that complicated, you run any car at too low rps you start to build up carbon on the plugs which causes them to not spark as well. redlining (the rx8 especially) every once and a while helps keep the carbon off them keeping them sparking well. if the plugs aren't sparking enough to burn up the gas, hello flooding.

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

Josh[dl]

ha what dont you understand. its not like some miracle cure for flooding obviously but its a recommended thing to do wit the 8 to help prevent it.

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

flooding is caused by turning off your car cold not carbon

Josh[dl]

obviously, but why does it flood. because its not hot enough to burn up the gas that the rotor traps on the plugs. if your plugs have less carbon on them, you have a better chance that they will spark enough to burn up that gas. this is all if you catch it in time. not if they are sitting there getting soaked for hours. understanding yet?

Josh[dl]

the last time my car flooded out was because of an excessive amount of carbon on the plugs + very cold weather. car started but just couldnt spark hot enough and consistent enough to burn up the gas it was getting, shut off, flooded out.

Mazurfer

Just so you guys know. I haven't seen Lurch post much over the last year or so. Maybe once or twice in other threads, so I wouldn't expect too much out of him, even if you do have a question. I kinda provided a link to this and his other thread just so you could see what he's done.........because I think it's very nice. I haven't done it all yet, but have been thinking of doing it for about two years now.
Make no mistake, what he has done here isn't all that easy.

L337fpc

iTrader: (4)

well, i have to say, that what he has done is freaking awesome.

If i new the exact led info, i'd try it myself.

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

I'll vouch for that. I've done a LOT of soldering. A few years ago i modded about 60-70 xbox consoles. This means i soldered in a 16 pin strip header along with anywhere from 4-12(depending on version) wires to other pins and contact patches on the motherboard. Some of the contact pads i soldered to are the size of the period on your keyboard. In a couple cases i repaired botched soldering jobs from other peoples attempts at modding - this almost always involved soldering directly into traces on the board..... that said....

I've seen LED's like Lurch used here, I wouldnt try it myself.

Mazurfer

I would try it and be able to do it, but..........You and me both on the small stuff!!! Gets to be a real pain when lands or traces start lifting.
For the record, I am still a NASA certified solder even though I don't get to do all the much anymore. This would take a lot of time patience, the right tools, materials, and even optics would likely be required in order to do the job correctly. Trust me.........I've solder some small stuff with very small clearances/tolerances in my time!

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

here you go guys..only for the gauge cluster though
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDA...Q5fAccessories

Josh[dl]

so is that when you have that roller thng up all the way and clicked lol dont know how to better explain it. the primary display i guess on. i think im gonna only change the secondary ones. probably to gold numbers and purple light on it.

lurch519

there are 4 sets of leds in the guage cluster. one set is for the white lighting. one set for the red lighting (not as many), one set for all the indicator and warning lights, and the set that shines down from the top. the first 3 sets are all PLCC-2 type leds, which are very small, about 1x1.5x2.5 mm in size. the ones that shine down from the top are t1 type i think, but not 100% sure.

the whole process is lengthy, and does require mad soldering skills and would benefit from some specialized soldering equipment

Sean Cox

I know you did your Radio and gauge cluster but what about the cluster right above your radio did you switch those to blue as well? is it even possible?

lurch519

it is possible, but didnt turn out very well. can barely see the display at all

Sean Cox

if you could, post or send some pix of it please. I would like to do a change over to green for the stero and red and green for the gauge cluster.

Jbritt

iTrader: (2)

As a 2M certified electronics tech, mad props to Lurch on this one. Having attempted this imo makes you either one of the best solderers on the planet or certifiably nuts. This type of work usually has to be done through automation because of the size of the led and the equipment that is used to do it. Even if this is for pure aesthetic value, it is a testament to your skill Lurch. To those who want a DIY, it is for your own protection that Lurch is not doing one. Most likely you would destroy the electronics in your car attempting this. Outstanding job Lurch.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

sweet i like how it turned out any pics of them finished

lilring

iTrader: (11)

DUDE please post a DIY on this!!! I want to switch my radio, AC, and Heater controls to WHITE

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

He isn't around to post one. Altspace might know. But white would be a cool color to switch them too...

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Cool, Im about to do this myself because it turns out there are normal 3mm leds in it.

But how did you get it to stay white for the backlighting?

Mr.We$t

iTrader: (1)

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!

I'm lovin this right now!