Gauge relocation and additions

[MX5-SP]

Does anyone have any advice for me about replacing/relocating the Oil Pressure gauge in a NB8B main instrument cluster and replacing it with a 45mm Boost Gauge? I think the stock OP gauge is 45mm

I'd like the boost gauge to take centre stage in the main cluster, but I don't want the Oil Pressure gauge very far away either. So I'm contemplating installing a 3-hole (52mm) 1 x DIN gauge pod (after swapping the current 2 x DIN stock audio head unit with a 1 x DIN unit). I'm planning to put: 1 x Oil Pressure; 1 x Oil Temp; and, 1 x Amps in the area above the audio head unit in the centre console area.

Has anyone done this type of conversion? If so, any pix? (I might photoshop something first, if nobody's done this yet).

Are there any tips/tricks/oh-sh!t/etc things I need to know about before I start taking things apart?

Also thinking that whilst I have things dismantled I might put in a rev-limited warning light (mainly because 1st can spin through too quick on occasions ). I'd be wanting something discrete, but functional when needed, so nothing too big. Any ideas?

[Old Dude]

Here you go champ, Stuart and Lisa's Minx has done something like what your after.
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=32900&start=105

Bottom of page 7 and on page 8, or though it is two gauges and a switch

Cheers
Dale

[NMX516]

Lokiel has also done the "replace factory oil pressure gauge with boost gauge" thang... His garage thread has info and pics. I think it is a recent-ish mod of his, so closer to the end of his thread.

[MX5-SP]

Here you go champ, Stuart and Lisa's Minx has done something like what your after...

Thanks for that - I'll have a closer look at Minx the next time I see it (..her???). It's similar to what I plan to do, but my preference is for a triple gauge setup.

At the time of writing I don't yet have a requirement launch Stinger missiles from SnowWhite ...just yet anyway - (presumably that's the purpose of the 'military-style' switch in the middle)... Although I can see why it would be advantageous in slower cars - like the SE

[NitroDann]

For your shift light see page 1/2 of my thread 'nitrodanns long awaited garage thread'.

What are you trying to gain by adding guages?
Adding a boost guage where oil pressure goes then 3 din guages adds samned close to zero functionality.

Dann

[MX5-SP]

For your shift light see page 1/2 of my thread 'nitrodanns long awaited garage thread'.

What are you trying to gain by adding guages?
Adding a boost guage where oil pressure goes then 3 din guages adds samned close to zero functionality.

Dann

Thanks Dann... I'll look up your thread.

To answer your question - I'm doing it because I want to...

[NitroDann]

Thats good. I appreciate the honest answer. Without one it would have been hard to give advice that will suit you. ;)

Single din pockets are very easy to purchase online. Ebay has hundreds.
There are factory guage mod writeups on Mnet and MTnet if you search.

You MAY want to holesaw a small (20mm) hole in the firewall and add a nice bulkhead bung or regular bung for feeding guage wires through, as there is hardly enough space to feed 6 extra wires and an extra 8mm vacuum hose through the factory bungs.

Dann

[MINX]

Your a cheeky bugger Andrew, but I will respond, as your decision making skills are obviously impaired, hence the ownership of an SP.

Lokiel (Simon) is the current expert on Boost/Oil Pressure swap Mod.
I think it looks good, but i would miss the dummy gauge. I look at it every time i start the car to make sure it has lube on board.

I recently changed my din cluster.
I bought a 3 hole plate from here http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180696230337&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:AU:1123

The rocket launcher switch is for my 'high boost hold on tight' map, and thge second button is for the radio antenna, which can be disabled when playing CDs, or mpogs(that is not raised automatically when not required).

The location above the radio is ok.
BUT, it is not great, it is way to low and takes your vision far from the road.
But heck, you only glance at them occasionally, usually if you think there is a boost problem, or temp problem.

[jerrah]

I use my boost gauge as an indicator of belt slip (I drop 2psi before I can hear it slipping) and as a vacuum gauge for economy. I also glance at it to see where I'm at in my tune if I have an issue during motorsport so I can remember where to tweak it after the fact. Obviously don't watch it every drive but I'm not going to run the laptop in the car 100% of the time, and certainly not during a hillclimb!

[Lokiel]

Pages 6&8 of my garage thread have info about my dummy oil pressure -> boost gauge experience and where I got my information from (might save you some $$$ knowing which gauges won't work!):
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=41091&start=75
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=41091&start=105

I don't miss the dummy oil pressure gauge at all.

As MINX pointed out, mounting gauges low down in the car makes them hard to read quickly since you have to drop your eyes away from the road completely. Consider getting gauges that allow you to recall peak values, then you can check these values at a later time (useful on a track for oil temperature monitoring).

I have a low-mounted AFR gauge mounted on my A-pillar which is easy to read but some don't like these and their legality is questionable.

I suggested to Bill from Miataroadster that he make a modded instrument cowl to add additional gauges. This is what he came up with:

If the "ears" were moved a little more to the outside it may look less "Mickey-Mouse-ish" (alternatively I could get one, paint it green to match my Frog Arms and rename "Gina" to "The Frog").

Here's the Miataroadster thread about this: http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php/topic,23535.45.html

[Okibi]

My people mover has an Electronic boost controller and a boost gauge, I find the EBC much more useful than the gauge. It protects from boost spikes and gives me a peak hold as well as the current boost level (and 4 different levels of boost). There's a great write up and comparison of EBCs here: http://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=952767

[MX5-SP]

Wow. That's been a fantastic and extremely informative response. I'll do the research when I'm away from the work environment later this evening. Thanks everyone, your responses have been appreciated.

[MX5-SP]

Thanks Stu - love the additional mod/reconfiguration.

[BadBong]

Lokiel - I agree with you that those Mickey Mouse ones would be better than the A-Pillar type if the 'ear's are further round the bottom (or otherwise it'll block just as much of your visual range)

Did you get any ideas from Bill whether:

1) He has any of this left?
2) He will fabricate new ones that are lowered down as a GB? (If so, I'll put my hand up for one)

[Lokiel]

The Miataroadster instrument cluster hood discussion "stopped" (see previously posted link) since I've got a few things I need to install before going ahead with yet another mod (ie. Wilwood brakes, vented hood) - I hate accumulating too much "To Do" stuff since you either never get around to finishing it or do a rushed job.

Send Bill an e-mail and quote the thread/picture as well as our mutual comment regarding moving the gauges around a bit. I'm sure that there would be a market for this and he's an MX5 enthusiast who's very good to deal with.