proto

Gague-wise, anyway.

This is what my interior looks like currently:



I am getting ready to install a new steering wheel, finally, and I want to also do something about that gague pod. For a long time, my plan was to fashion a custom dash / steering column support and mount aftermarket gagues. But the other day a few things occurred to me:
1. I rarely, if ever, look at the tach. I shift by ear (or rev limiter, depending on how angry I am)
2. I rarely, if ever, look at the speedo. I just drive with the flow of traffic.
3. I rarely look at the oil pressure gague. I probably should, but the fact of the matter is, I don't. Same goes for the water temp.
4. I have had pretty good luck with the local constabulary (never pulled over in this car, in spite of the gutted interior)

So I am considering taking the "de-wiring" project to the next phase and eliminating the gagues altogether. I would probably install idiot lights for oil pressure, water temp, and fuel level, and also retain (a) check engine light. But no tach/speedo or other gagues.

I guess I should mention that the motor is stock (so no turbo to monitor), and I don't track the car (no time)

I would relocate the switches and lights to a small panel near the base of the windsheld, and fabricate a more minimal steering column support.

If you feel like trying to talk me out of this hair-brained idea, go right ahead and try.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

gut it even more

eyesoreracing

My rally car had a temperature gauge and an oil pressure gauge. Never needed anything else. I could maybe live with an oil pressure light, but a temperature gauge is pretty important. Lets you see trouble coming, and judge how big trouble is when it gets there.

Only downside to this spartan interior is seeing reflections of your feet and that shiny white floor in the windshield. A black sheet across where the dash used to be would work wonders for visibility.

-D

proto

RE the temp light: I am assuming that I could calibrate the light to come on at a specific temperature, and that I could make that temp fairly conservative. I guess it would not kill me to retain one small gague though.

Re the glare: Yes, it is a bit of a problem sometimes. I will either do as you suggest or remove the windshield.. haven't decided which yet

ianferrell

So.... whats the ultimate plan here? driving to work and just assuming your 20 year old alternator is still working? I don't get it.

jnshk

Not 100% on this, but I'm guessing that the car will need a functioning speedometer in order to pass inspection. Then again, you're in CA so they probably don't give a rat's *** as long as the emissions come back clean...

curly

iTrader: (25)

Keep the gauges, mount them in your lexan. That's easier, and you save the weight of the gauge pod. No wiring/sensor headaches (keep in mind you don't have a gas light currently). Then ditch the ebrake handle cover and dash mounting studs. That would roughly equal the same weight. There's a point when you should just buy a locost too.

proto

The plan is to feed my obsession with removing parts of my car. Don't try to bring logic into this.

Or I could do both and save even more weight.

Oh, great.. Thanks for telling me how the story ends when I am still in the first chapter!

ianferrell

Hmm, sounds like my wife... this wouldn't have anything to do with figure skating would it? err, I mean drifting. If its actually OCD, I think there is treatment for that.

pusha

iTrader: (5)

proto, you have a PM.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Honestly that miata looks like it has a lot of room :P

You can remove/cut the black piece completely and move the cluster on the firewall.

You want to have some analog gauges. Getting readings from 0 to 100% beats 0 or 1 you get from a light.

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

I drove mine on the street with a nearly identical interior for months and it never bothered me. With nothing in the interior but a wheel, shift lever, gauge pod and a single (light) race seat the definitely felt a lot more nimble.

I argue with myself about doing it again every other day...and the pretty pictures in this thread don't help.