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.

 

I forgot to add... post any photos you've got of the JDM RHD designs.

 

Similar to FEED's (below) but fully integrated. I'd prefer non-CF for a more stock look.



Or RE Amemiya but without the rivets:

 

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...

 

well done a pillar..

beers

 

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).

 

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

 

The Feed is an overlay. I believe the RE Amemiya is a complete replacement.

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?

 

Agreed.

 

I'd be interested in this as well..

 

yes, I like those

 

im with RA- that' full replacement but lookin stock like the feed.

 

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!

 

bump... tell me how to get this damn cover off please.

 

if you are talking about the top cover where the gauges are going to go you are not going to like the answer..

pm me if needed..

beers

 

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

 

two very helpful links:

http://www.neocaraudio.com/installs/ipod/rx8/

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/

 

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?

 

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.

 

i think i like that better than an a pillar. buy i would want it on that side...

beers

 

I'm talking 1 2-hole pod for each side of the instrument cluster... 52mm gauges only... 60mm is 2.5" so perhaps that's not too big too.

 

ah,

so you can choose a side or have 4 gauges? yes i think i get it now..

beers

 

what about a pod where you can still have your Nav screen but 3 gauges on top?

 

that was my idea, and it died with derwankle getting out of mod making..


beers :beers:

 

i would love to see a photoshop idea for people with navi, even if its a bit crude. There aren't really that many options for people with navi except for something in the ashtray