Continuing my exploration into "what if Nissan offered a turbo 350Z from the factory" I wondered what the stock boost gauge would look like. I know it wouldn't go up on the driver's side A-pillar but would probably go in the center dash gauge cluster like the 280ZX & 1st gen 300ZX turbos. I have retrofitted an aftermarket VAC/BOOST gauge to the spot occupied by the VOLTS gauge (just like on the S130 & Z31 turbos). I have to meet up with Westpak (Gus) tomorrow to trial fit it in the housing to make sure it'll clear. If it does, next step would be custom gauge faces that'll have the same look as far as the numbers, gradations, orange-against-black background and the stock red lighted pointer. Instead of VOLTS, it would now be labeled BOOST and would absolutely look factory. I'm throwing this out there to see if anyone would have any interest in doing a similar conversion since I have to have a minimum of ten gauge faces made at about $200.00 out-of-pocket up front.

 

I would shoot a PM to Acree, he knows more about gauge faces than anyone here probably.

 

Greg how many test mules will you need? I think I know one.

 

Well I figure either you or Gus; I can bring up and show you what I got next weekend.

 

That sounds like a plan see you then.

 

Sounds good that would be intersting to see

 

I finally got around to seeing if the modified center cluster assembly with the guts of the vac/boost gauge will fit back in the dash and it appears it will; next stop, getting a custom-made BOOST gauge face to take the place of the VOLTS gauge face. I will update when I can get pics of a prototype or production face in place.

 

i could have sworn i have seen this in someone's car already.. i believe the gauges were Defi, because the car was off and the gauges were dim

 

here is one https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....=defi+pictures

 

Very nice but I'm shooting for an OEM appearance (just because).

 

I have three defi d series gauges in my stock location. They look completely stock, even match the stock illumination color. People that dont know much about nissan 350's always ask me if those gauges came like that form the dealer because the look stock. If i have time in the next few days I will post up some pics of what it looks like.

 

ok.. i misunderstood you.. i thought you meant having the gauges in the OEM location instead of a gauge pod... sorry for the confusion

 

Oh by the way the gauges are boost, egt, and oil pressure and yes there is plenty of room from behind for everything to fit.

 

what did you do with your info gauge?.. just unplugged it?

 

There is a guy from Oz who did something very similar... but his looks better IMO because all the colors match the stock guage colors (numbers and needle). His car was featured and on the cover of Fast Fours last summer (July issue I think).

He is also on the boards so if you see this, post some pics!

 

Yea I just unplugged it, didnt set any cel lights off.

 

Just an update: I hope to have a P-shopped version of the BOOST gauge overlay by sometime next week so that I can tweak and make any corrections as needed. Then I'll have a few sets made and then I'll post some pics of the actual overlay on the modified center gauge cluster.

 

Greg, any updates?

 

I'll be intrested in one too.

 

Ok, I received a P-shopped version last week and spoke with the guy about corrections but I have not yet received any follow up images from him. I'm working with a seperate guy on re-doing the orange painted "VOLTS" on the black gauge cluster lid (the piece seperate from the gauges themselves) so that it will read "BOOST" instead. I saw a P-shopped version from him and it looks real good. I'm probably going to have stencil overlay made for "BOOST" and "OIL" so that I can remove the paint and re-do both so that the orange color I select (will be a best match possible basis of course to the original color) will be the same. I know this seems like a lot of work, but I'm detail oriented and if I'm going to bother with this then it's gotta look OEM and good. I'll post pics when I get the gauge overlays made.