I'm no fan of the digital speedometer, as it can't seem keep track of any changes in speed greater than a couple mph per second. I've seen plenty of griping by other people wanting an analog over the digital, but nothing mentioning actually installing one, which (barring some detail(s) that I'm unaware of) seems like it should be easy enough.

Is this doable, or is there something abnormal about the gauge setup that would interfere?

 

Sorry, it's the details you are unaware of that will make this difficult. It's not a analog speedometer signal but a digital one therefore the 'digital' in 'digital speedometer'. It comes straight from the ECU just for the gauge pod.

Not clear but is an analog speedometer able to keep up with changes of more than a few MPH per sec? That's pretty quick change...I don't think the 8 is that fast lol.

Don't worry, be happy, you'll get used to it and actually learn to appreciate it more than likely.

ps. Why are you staring at the speedometer when accelerating?

 

The speedo is kinda unimportant anyway

The Tac rules.........

 

Who cares about how fast you are going in a school zone anyways

 

It's OK. THe S2000's have it worst, they have to deal with the 80's dash.

 

An analog can definitely keep up with changes in speed much better than the digital in the RX-8. I know it's not specifically because of the fact that it's digital, as the '07 Civic has a digital speedometer too, but it keeps up with what speed you're actually driving at just fine.

Probly a long shot to ask, but does anybody know if it's the ECU or the gauge itself that is the source of the slowdown? If it's just the gauge than I could at least get another digital gauge.

Also, does anyone know if a Yellow Box (https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/speed-senor-89118/) would be of any help.

The douchebag traffic cops that litter the area I live in. You can pass by 4 or 5 of them in the span of a mile on the same street on a bad enough day. That's why I want a more accurate gauge. If I overaccelerate at the wrong moment, I've got a ticket, and as poor a job as this one seems to do, there's a lot of room for overacceration, especially with my lead foot.

 

The reason it jumps like it does is to give your eyes time to resolve the numbers, so you know how fast you're going. So you see thirty one, thirty three, thirty six, thirty eight, etc. Otherwise it would be thirty-what? Thirty-five? No, wait, 40 something now...

If it was because the speedo was "slow" then those who are running FI and pushing 350+ rwhp would have to replace them.

 

This is so dumb.
The spedometer shows you instantly how fast you are going. Do you want to know how fast your were going a second ago? Why can't you judge speed?

3,000 rpm from 2nd gear to 6th is 20 to 60 mph in a stock manual. Train yourself to listen to engine and know that car a little better and maybe you won't find yourself suddenly at 110mph.

 

I actually see what he's saying - there's a tiny bit of lag. Try cruising at 8mph or and stop, the speed won't be at zero the instant you are at zero. That said, would analog really change this? My guess is that the lag is in the speedo itself - I'm sure our computer is competent enough to stay up to speed.

 

dont worry kingfool...i like analog too...

But i dont know how to help u so yea...good luck

 

I dont even look at the Speedometer much, I can tell how fast Im going mostly by just listening to the engine sound and what gear Im in.

and if Im not sure, I still hardly look at the speedometer, I just take a quick peek at my tach and thats it.

Know your car is the key.

 

Yes young grasshopper be one with the car.

 

I'm not so sure that 75 vs 80 sound is too distinct, especially with music/rain/road noice/etc. Anyways, OP wanted more precise

 

A true analog speedometer would require a cable to a gear on the output shaft of the transmission, so that is out. A "fake" analog that translates a digital signal into a needle sweep could be possible.

 

who needs a speedo on the track?

 

Vehicle speed sensors operate in pulses per mile. There are several standards. Something like 2000, 4000, etc. I found this out when installing an aftermarket cruise control on my pickup truck. All I had to do was run a wire to the vehicle speed sensor and I was done. The cruise control had some configurable switches which would allow me to tell it how many pulses per mile it was looking for. For your aftermarket speedo it would just be a matter of driving it to see if the speeds match up. If not try a different setting. There are only a few so it wouldn't take long to find the right one.

Have fun.