Nxt Mod: Replace Stock Gauge Cluster with DASH2

[turbophil]

As if I don't have enough going on with my car, I'm thinking it's time to replace the stock gauge cluster with a DASH2 as I install a DL-1...

I've gone back and forth with Charlie quite a bit and I think this is doable. THANKS CHARLIE...

I'm open to suggestions as I don't have every wrinkle ironed out here, but here's the basic idea.

Simply unplug the stock Gauges, mount a DASH 2 in its place. Aside from track specific data logging, I believe I can get all the basics covered with the OEM sensors minus oil pressure. I'm planning to tap into all the needed wires/sensors close to the ECU (easy to do with the clam up)...

1- Fuel tank Metering, Tap ECU pin 76- Need the equation still
2-Speed- Tap ECU pin 77- Should be easy to establish pulses per revolution. Always happy to profit from someone else if you already know though
3-RPMs- Induction, which I've I already donend in the cab...
4-Water Temp- Tap pin 33- Although I need the equation to turn the signal into degrees for the DASH2... any ideas here?
5- Switched 12V- Easy enough
6- Oil Pressure- No Dice. Need to get a sending unit

Other things: I should be able to simply wire the high beam indicator and turn signal directly to the D2. Charlie has told me that the ABS and air bag lights will need a resistor to fool the system into thinking everything is OK. No big deal. I'm not too worried about trouble codes, as it's easy enough to check for codes on a random basis since the ALDL isn't impacted by this mod.

Other2: It's important that the D2 receive an internal (analog) signal for speed even though it has the ability to display GPS speed. The odometer will only read the internal signal and I think that's an important function for resale (like I ever plan on selling this car)...

Mounting: I would think that should be easy enough in the stock binacle...

Any other ideas or comments? Let me know... I'm thinking this could be a pretty fun mod. The Dash2 appears to have sooooooooo many capabilities for the track car and a lot of cool gadgets for the street car

Best,

Phil

[turbophil]

Today was a good day...

I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Al Seim at RTUSA today and ordered the DL-1 and Dash2 along with some fun sensors like 1.5Bar MAP

Al was a big help. We decided that my assumptions and information Charlie helped me with were correct. Darksol is also a freak about his DL-1 and has all 4 wheel speed sensors, along with TPS and several others already figured out and connected to his DL-1. So I know I'll be able to use internal and OEM feeds to the D2 for the critical inputs for daily driving along with a non-resettable Odometer.

The D2 measures about 4" high by 6" wide. The opening for the gauges is about 4" by 8" so the fit should be great and it doesn't look like I'll have to send all that much wire up front either.

Not sure if anyone else is interested in replacing their stock dash, but I'll keep updating this thread just in case. I'm going to try and keep this mod looking good while adding function and gadetry to the car Total cost so far is about 1,600 bucks and it looks like that's going to be close to about it, as everything else is stuff to make in the shop along with a couple switches...and that won't be much...

Best,

Phil

[alexandertg4]

Why not use the AIM dash?

[Brent Bauman]

I'm putting in a Aim MXL Pro. All duetch connectors and CAN com with the ecu. I have most of the parts and sensors but it is a few steps down the road in the project.

[Dave]

Phil...the disease...the disease

Very cool and watching this thread like a hawk...would be a great integration.

[Vishus_1]

Any pictures?

[charliex]

..

[jasond]

Ooh, that's very hot. It'll be cool if you get it working!

[Vishus_1]

Hmmmm - not my taste. It's just so....digital. It doesn't seem like it fits the style of the car. I prefer the analog-type gauges.

I thought the japanese dash in another thread looked good because it was balanced. But to each their own... good luck.

[Sh4rkattk]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

Hmmmm - not my taste. It's just so....digital. It doesn't seem like it fits the style of the car. I prefer the analog-type gauges.

I thought the japanese dash in another thread looked good because it was balanced. But to each their own... good luck.

I agree the Defi cluster looks amazing, with a analog tach. Would anyone know what the guage on the left dial would be if it was the N/A cluster.

Waiting for someone to bite the bullet first on the Defi Super Sport Cluster before i give it a go.

[charliex]

I don't care for the dash 2/aim style either, but i'm going all 'digital' still at least with that you can change the graphics to anything you like.

the defi is a nice mix , bet it ain't cheap though, i really like my Defi gauges though

[turbophil]

While all digi isn't my preference, I like data...and lots of it... Oh yes, and gadgets too... This is one of the most tried and trued systems out there... Ran by racers all over the world and seamlessly integrates with the DL-1... 'er so that's what I'm told

Really though, this isn't an "if" I get it working, it's "when" All critical sensors, wheel speed, water temp, tach, fuel level, are all pulled with out any additional senders--> just wire taps...

Some cool bits about the D2 is that it was designed to be a true dash replacement and not just suction cupped to the wind shield or dash board. Little things like the gear selection display, shift lights, lap time display, multi-sensor disply, etc all make it seem like the proper fit for a track/road car. The Dash3 is coming out which will display some data but is really just another peripheral in the car. I want the data display to be *installed* and part of the car. I'm not a gifted computer hack like Charlie nor do I want to troubleshoot marrying two different systems together... so that's how I came to the DL-1/D2 combo. Our stock gauges are pretty useless anyway (inaccurate speedo, slow tach) and aren't particularly pretty, so I figure why not just toss them on to the discard pile along with the NA intake manifold

Best,

Phil

[charliex]

where's the fuel display !

[turbophil]

Good question.... You can toggle displays. Here's another screen:

[reganfin]

Originally Posted by turbophil

As if I don't have enough going on with my car, I'm thinking it's time to replace the stock gauge cluster with a DASH2 as I install a DL-1...

I've gone back and forth with Charlie quite a bit and I think this is doable. THANKS CHARLIE...

I'm open to suggestions as I don't have every wrinkle ironed out here, but here's the basic idea.

Simply unplug the stock Gauges, mount a DASH 2 in its place. Aside from track specific data logging, I believe I can get all the basics covered with the OEM sensors minus oil pressure. I'm planning to tap into all the needed wires/sensors close to the ECU (easy to do with the clam up)...

1- Fuel tank Metering, Tap ECU pin 76- Need the equation still
2-Speed- Tap ECU pin 77- Should be easy to establish pulses per revolution. Always happy to profit from someone else if you already know though
3-RPMs- Induction, which I've I already donend in the cab...
4-Water Temp- Tap pin 33- Although I need the equation to turn the signal into degrees for the DASH2... any ideas here?
5- Switched 12V- Easy enough
6- Oil Pressure- No Dice. Need to get a sending unit

Other things: I should be able to simply wire the high beam indicator and turn signal directly to the D2. Charlie has told me that the ABS and air bag lights will need a resistor to fool the system into thinking everything is OK. No big deal. I'm not too worried about trouble codes, as it's easy enough to check for codes on a random basis since the ALDL isn't impacted by this mod.

Other2: It's important that the D2 receive an internal (analog) signal for speed even though it has the ability to display GPS speed. The odometer will only read the internal signal and I think that's an important function for resale (like I ever plan on selling this car)...

Mounting: I would think that should be easy enough in the stock binacle...

Any other ideas or comments? Let me know... I'm thinking this could be a pretty fun mod. The Dash2 appears to have sooooooooo many capabilities for the track car and a lot of cool gadgets for the street car

Best,

Phil

Sounds like you are hardwiring in all of the sensors. Did you buy the can adapter from Al?

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by reganfin

Sounds like you are hardwiring in all of the sensors. Did you buy the can adapter from Al?

I didn't... I didn't think it would talk the same language and I didn't want to try and figure it out- again, not a computer wiz here (Maybe I assumed wrong???)... In any event, there's only a few wires that I need to run directly to the Dash2-- Speed, rpm, and fuel. Each of those is only one wire each. That way if I ever need to pull the DL1 for some reason, the Dash will still operate just fine for street driving. I'll run engine temp and others straight to the DL1. The Dash2 and DL1 communicate bi-directionally so anything I hook up to the Dash2 will also be logged through the DL1 and anything hooked up to the DL1 can be displayed on the Dash2.

All this will be completely reversible should I ever want to go back to the stock dash since all I'm doing is tapping into a handful of wires...

I'm going to use a remote start/stop button for the DL1 and the Dash2 requires 4 momentary buttons as well. So I'll have a total of 5 momentary buttons that I need to mount someplace. I'm going to order 4 of our trip reset buttons from Lotus so that all these buttons match. So now I need some ideas of where to hide the DL1 and where to mount these buttons...

Ideas?

Best,

Phil

[Bgwilly31]

what about odometer?

That would be very important on resale.

[Brent Bauman]

Phil,
When I was deciding between the different replacement dashes/dataloggers there were pluses and minuses to each system. The Aim's minuses were its cost. There is a brand new dash from Racepak, IQ3, that has tons of features built in, and expantion room. The Aim and Racepak combine the datalogging and display into one unit, where the Race-Technology unit is a datalogger with add on display. The Aim unit can combine video, data logging, display, lap timing, track mapping, Lamda, switch control, and sensors for nearly anything. It is expensive, I have over $5000 in hardware, but its limitations are few. I think the only system that is limitless in capabilities is motec. The Racepak IQ3 have put most of the high end features into a more cost effective package for applications that aren't full race.

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by Bgwillyelise

what about odometer?

That would be very important on resale.

If you look along the bottom there is an odometer at the left and a trip meter on the right..

I want this mod!! My inst cluster has burned out lights anyway
One thing i don't see is a CEL... I like.... I want.....
How much????$$$$$$$ installed?

[Brent Bauman]

Perry,
Why don't you use the EFI dash since you have their ecu? It's capabilities are nearly endless as well.