I run a fairly simple Holley EFI setup on a V8, so its more of an engine management tool than an all-inclusive motorsports solution. It's more useful for engine tuning/troubleshooting than for lap feedback since I can't overlay it with GPS and its not integrating with any OEM CAN data.

 

If yall haven't taken a look at this guys stuff you might find it interesting. I personally like the old analog style, and am doing what he's come up with in the last video he produced. Not expensive - I think I'm all in at about $250.

 

I'm about to pull the trigger on an IC7.

So I am looking for a 3D print file, or print, for an IC7 cluster mount for a Mazda MX5/Miata (2004 NB SE/Mazdaspeed). I am looking for something more than a flat plate which is obtainable from Haltech, I want something that has a front brow that reflects the projection of the clear cover of the stock instrument cluster unit and mates up to the return on the OE binnacle cover. I have been unable to find anything like this in my searches, lots of flat plates, but I can drill and cut sheet plastic or aluminium if I have to fall back on a simple flat plate.

Anyone seen anything like that? Or any other suggestions?

 

Do you have a 3D printer?
If not, don't watch this video by SuperfastMat, or you're likely to buy one.

I watched this video, and then went out and bought a printer and downloaded Fusion 360.
Fusion 360 is a powerful 3d design tool which is free if you are just using it for personal projects.
Among other things, Fusion 360 allows you to import and scale a picture of what you want your part to mate up against.
You then just trace the part out. Use a piece of wire to match complicated contours.

So yah, if you don't mind a bit of CAD work, I would recommend designing your own part.

 

This is one I’ve been eyeing for a long time. I found another site offering a similar product but forgot to save it. They also have a combo with an IC7 that saves a couple hundred dollars.

https://makomotorsport.com/products/...h-mount-custom

edit: helps to post the link

 

I’m completely enamored with 3d printing and fusion, but hit the easy button for putting in my ic7: racingdisplay.com. The price is higher than I remember spending but it was worth it. Everything went together with zero iterations.

 

Oreo, yes, I see what you mean! Tempting, but I have a mate with one. I am more tempted by the CAD training, but I don't think that, if I get an off-the-shelf item, I will have the need/motivation to utilise it.

Redursidae, thanks, I had looked at Mako but somehow I had not seen that their dash had the brow to (I assume) mate with the binnacle return. Gone to top of list.

Scissor, thanks, looks good, but with shipping and taxes, and the $US/$Aus exchange rate, far too expensive when I can get the Mako one in $Aus by walking in the door.

The Mako one does seem a bit exxy even so, and it set me thinking. Turns out our very own Padlock has this scan of an NB cluster which might form the basis of a printed mount. I will discuss this with my mate and see what we can do with it, I'd imagine it would be much cheaper to print than the $400 Mako wants for theirs.

Cats all round!

 

Not that I have a dog in the hunt, but Racing Display is in Victoria. I had to check because I thought I remembered waiting for international shipping to the US. The AUD price matches Mako at $400.

 

You are right of course - when I first followed your link I was sure I saw a $us price, but when I went back it came up as $aud. And a local address.

Flicking through the options it seems that the IC7 sits lower than some/most others, and that looks like it requires some changes to how the lower mounts are formed - some illustrations show it as an 'L' shape with a cutout, rather than a continuous tab. I need to have a discussion with my mate about what he can do, and see if that works out for my timing, and if not I'll probably jump on the RD one.

 

Racing Displays dash mount on the way.


Dash schematic

The gear display is an indulgence, and fuel could be a warning light, but hey there is plenty of realestate when the big dials are put out to pasture. Top is tach (ignore divisions), but dash shift lights will be the main input, not the tach.

 

I'll plug my project in here I suppose. Some of you have probably seen it by now, but I've got this set up for checking temps and such. It can be set up to represent one sensor on each LED which will flash red if they're above the set threshold. Not going to replace an entire digital dash, but it's been a fun project and costs around $50 in materials if not less.

OBDII over CAN

 

Added empasis there. It's amazing how little space is actually needed once you get rid of the useless elements.

You have both brake and abs indicators - is one of those a brake fluid level thing?

I like it. I like that you have pressure/temp readouts paired on separate sides of the dash - I'm not sure it works for me, but it's a neat thought.

 

I have been running the nexgenefi dash. It's from a small developer who is very active about adding new features and keeping it updated. https://www.nexgenefi.com

 

Got a build thread? Is that a recommendation?

This board only works when people contribute their knowledge and experience, and it appears nobody here (looking at you) has written anything about them.

 

Yeah it's a good cluster. At the time I bought it, it was much cheaper than anything else out other than the DIY options and the developer is very active. I have run it on one car with a MS3, then in the Miata with Hondata. Here is a 3d printed mount for the NB cluster (I can modify this for the NA if someone wants to print and take some measurements): https://www.printables.com/model/148...-gauge-cluster

 

Thanks.

Issues are arising though, related to the limitations on analog inputs to the dash, and the limited feed available from the Link. It appears the Link feed may be cusomisable if you know your CAN programming, but that is not me. Main impact is coolant pressure which currently goes to the Link, but the Link doesn't transmit it to the IC7, as far as I can see. This limitation also affects my third screen, the (lots of) data screen, but how badly I don't know as I haven't begun to even think about what I want there.

Yes, there appear to be at least two separate brake warnings, perhaps another for the park brake. One is the brake fluid, which also goes to the ABS unit - implies to me that an ABS failure will light both the brake light and the ABS light, unless the ABS light is limited to the self-test on start up. I think I am going to rationalise those two down to just the ABS light. That saves an input too.

Monday I pick up the IC7, and tracking tells me that my mount has been delivered - presumably to the local post office. The car is on the hoist, and immobile for a month, so time to get on with the wiring, there is a package of connectors, crimper, etc in the mail for that too.

 

You can see mine here:
It is definitely more than I 'need' for normal running, but I have added the extras for when things go wrong. Things I need for normal running to the top left, oil pressure, coolant temp. Things I need less are further from eyesight, but still there in the event I need that information because something feels wrong. For instance, IAT and Boost Pressure are there if the car feels slow. AFR, Target, and Diff are there in the event I'm getting some kind of cut or AFR warning from the car.

Too much can be too much, but designing it visually to emphasize was is needed all the time vs. when something goes wrong was how I did it.

 

Sebring! I was there today. . Driving a BMW, not a Miata though.

--Ian

 

Nice! I was there Friday. If you were one of the BMWs in my group you lapped me like 12 times. First time back at the track in a year, and the sun was in my eyes and I have a nasty case of gout so I couldn't rev match properly, also my panty hose were too tight.

 

I was there for the NASA weekend, running in the "thunder" race group as well as TT. I'm planning to come out for the NASA championship event in September and wanted a chance to learn the track first, so I rented an E46 and flew out for the weekend. I'm not towing my car there from California twice! 😀

Definitely a challenging track!

--Ian