My OEM-style boost gauge project
05-20-2006, 05:27 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by gringott
Only thing I don't quite get is that the stock gauges have, basically, half the face covered by the plastic bezel with the orange writing. Aren't most boost gauges full sweep, or almost?
06-14-2006, 02:38 PM
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Here's the custom BOOST gauge face...
... and a matching OIL gauge face. This is going to be the sweep of the gauge. I'll have the actual overlays by next week. The other part I'm waitng on is the cluster lid cover which is going to read BOOST instead of VOLTS. I should have that by next week as well. I was going to wait and only post final pics of the whole assembled cluster but I'm anxious to show it at this stage since I started this project two months ago and progress has been exceedingly slow.
06-14-2006, 05:27 PM
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Here's the modified cluster lid cover
This has vinyl letters for OIL & BOOST. I was told the color was as close a match to the original painted color as possible so that's why I have to redo OIL so that it'll match the color for BOOST. The guy's also sending a stenciled reverse cut-out so that if I don't like the vinyl lettering color I can try and find a better match with paint although the vinyl letters will probably be fine (and a lot easier to apply).
06-14-2006, 06:58 PM
#29
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friggin sweet dude I like the stock look! leaves me with a good taste in my mouth and wanting to see more and a finished project!!
I am so down on buying these!
I am so down on buying these!
06-14-2006, 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by MI 35th
friggin sweet dude I like the stock look! leaves me with a good taste in my mouth and wanting to see more and a finished project!!
I am so down on buying these!
I am so down on buying these!
06-15-2006, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Greg'Z33
Yeah, your right of course about the sweep but the concession I'm making on this gauge to keep the "stock" look is a gauge that will have vacuum readings from 15 In.HG to 15 PSI; remember this would most likely be the limit of a factory boosted car anyway IMO. The 280ZX Turbo and 1st gen 300ZX Turbo's had a similar gauge and it wasn't even a full 180 degree sweep on the gauges.
the problem I see with this though, is our cars at idle vacuum are around 20-25 in/hg.
otherwise, looks great so far and I'm just wondering how you'll make the signal work
06-15-2006, 06:02 AM
#33
Originally Posted by chimmike
the problem I see with this though, is our cars at idle vacuum are around 20-25 in/hg.
otherwise, looks great so far and I'm just wondering how you'll make the signal work
otherwise, looks great so far and I'm just wondering how you'll make the signal work
06-15-2006, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by chimmike
the problem I see with this though, is our cars at idle vacuum are around 20-25 in/hg.
otherwise, looks great so far and I'm just wondering how you'll make the signal work
otherwise, looks great so far and I'm just wondering how you'll make the signal work
I had to make concessions to maintain stock appearance with a mechanical boost gauge. I figure that anyone interested in installing this "upgrade" into their Z wouldn't care since it's the boost range that's of most importance.
06-20-2006, 02:50 PM
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Prototype's finished!
Before.....
After......
Well I had to modify the housing by grinding it away on the extreme edges where the 15's are at on both sides of the scale to allow the backlight LED's to give them coverage. This was a fair amount of work to get everything "just so" but not as bad as it could have been. At first glance you might think that the new gauge faces are too dark to be readable but that's just the way they photographed. They are bright enough in daylight - you'd have to see it in person. They did print darker than the original OEM gauge faces and I was told that was as close as I could get it without resorting to "big bucks" to get it exact. Same with OIL & BOOST as they printed lighter than original. I had to find a balance between being spot-on to the OEM colors and not spending a fortune to accomplish it. I have not seen what they look like backlit yet as I've got to find someone who would be willing to put it in their 350Z to check operation, etc. If i can't find anyone from my local club (SFZCC) then I'll ask for volunteers. Notice the "guts" of the mechanical gauge on back. Overall, I'm very pleased. What do you all think?
After......
Well I had to modify the housing by grinding it away on the extreme edges where the 15's are at on both sides of the scale to allow the backlight LED's to give them coverage. This was a fair amount of work to get everything "just so" but not as bad as it could have been. At first glance you might think that the new gauge faces are too dark to be readable but that's just the way they photographed. They are bright enough in daylight - you'd have to see it in person. They did print darker than the original OEM gauge faces and I was told that was as close as I could get it without resorting to "big bucks" to get it exact. Same with OIL & BOOST as they printed lighter than original. I had to find a balance between being spot-on to the OEM colors and not spending a fortune to accomplish it. I have not seen what they look like backlit yet as I've got to find someone who would be willing to put it in their 350Z to check operation, etc. If i can't find anyone from my local club (SFZCC) then I'll ask for volunteers. Notice the "guts" of the mechanical gauge on back. Overall, I'm very pleased. What do you all think?
06-20-2006, 04:15 PM
#39
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i wonder if it will look wierd running a mechanical gauge next to the eletrical ones. The eletrical ones will be very smooth in operation, while the boost will be wiggling around.
06-20-2006, 04:26 PM
#40
Love what your trying to do and its looking really good.
The boost scale seems to span a bit too far across the face when compared to the stock ones. ie there isnt enough spacing between the edge of the gauge and the numbers written on the face, was this a limitation you had to work with? Or could you condense the scale so it doesnt take up as much space? Can you see the whole scale from the drivers seat? Got any installed shots?
The boost scale seems to span a bit too far across the face when compared to the stock ones. ie there isnt enough spacing between the edge of the gauge and the numbers written on the face, was this a limitation you had to work with? Or could you condense the scale so it doesnt take up as much space? Can you see the whole scale from the drivers seat? Got any installed shots?