Clock removal-gauge replacement
 

Has anyone removed the clock and replaced it yet with a gauge? If so is there a write up on how to remove the clock? I have searched but can't find anything. I am looking to put an oil pressure gauge in, possibly swap to a boost gauge after the car is FI.

I know Lou (Fusz) was doing this with a Defi gauge. I don't think he actually did it himself, and not sure his car is back from the turbo install for pics (which I have requested)

It's not finished yet, waiting on a line form Goodridge. I am replacing the cluster with all DeFi gauges. It will have Boost, Oil Temp, and EGT Temp. All amber and 60mm gauges. When it's complete I will post some pics I promise Mod. All ran by a DeFi Link controller.
Should be fun.

Looking forward to seeing it!...:tup:
The Defi Link set-up is really nice..

I will be replacing mine as well ;) I will post an update in Jan when my install starts for my TT

Fusz,

Do those hoods on top of the gauges to sheild them from glare come off? Can they be reused on the DEFI gauges.

From having to fiddle with mine, they almost seemed like they were only on there with double sided tape, so I wouldnt doubt it lol.

Lol I see, well that's good they are reuseable. Could be all naturale adhesive, boogers!!!

Has anyone done this yet? I'd love a DIY.

I believe Altered Atmosphere did it on Lou's car, correct?

I wonder how hard it would be to swap out a gauge after the initial install. Say I want to replace the gauges now, but later (when appropriate) add a boost gauge.

Yep, they swapped all three out, they said they were going to post of some pictures of some info on what they did but no info yet.

I don't believe there is a write up but it has been done using Defi gauges

From what I was told, it requires removal of the entire dash to get to the center cluster. Unlike the 370Z, the 350Z was much more straight forward. :(

I remember reading the same thing. They said they had to pretty much remove the entire front dash to get them in. Sounds like it might have to be a weekend project.

i'm thinking next year when i start the big project i'll end up throwing in some guages right now it's looking like some autometer nexus or es series guages with wideband a/f, oil temp and manifold pressure

I'm thinking while I'm NA (will be a long while) I'll go for Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and A/F.

EGT is for Turbo AFAIK and I'm not sure what else would be better to know really. I know Oil Temp isn't that big of a deal typically, but with lurch mode engaging so early it'd be nice to know where I stand.

...Although an in-dash and a HKS CAMP2 would be able to handle oil temp for me.....

Agreed. I would be interested in swapping out for those exact gauges - Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and A/F ratio. However, I would like to keep the amber / orange background. Anyone know of a good product to replace our stock set with?

All I want is an oil pressure gauge for my oil cooler!

A/F you're very limited, typically AEM.

The gauges themselves though... The Defi Link gauges do look good but they aren't exact.

http://www.the370z.com/parts-sale-pr...pressure+gauge

This STRI gauge is probably the closest as far as looks/color goes.

Thanks for the recommendation Vipor! +1

Defis all around for me, did anyone ever do a DIY for this??

I'm going to modify the gauge cluster with different color LEDs and gauge faces this summer, so hopefully I can post pictures. It'll be a pain... :eekdance:

the autometer nexus linup is similar to the defi's Except they are real stepper guages instead of virtual screens with changeable color lines on a black face (it does do amber which is a must for me). they can datalog, have a remote control, and sensor hup and are programable for startup shutdown, and warning lights for when you go to lean or you get to hot, or you peak boost. not as many features as the defi's but as gauges they are better.

I've also been considering changing these out since the day I purchased the Z.

Even more so after seeing the Defi gauges in Lou's Z:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/...a8a2ccb429.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/...167282060e.jpg

Those look pretty sweet. I don't see how the Defi's (or any mfg) can possibly have more features than those Nexus gauges.

The Autometer Nexus gauges look really nice, and it looks like their "orange" would be a good match for our amber. I just can't get over how expensive these gauges are... you could spend $1000 just replacing the three on the dash!

For $1000 I would hope to get some A pillar gauges too, on both A-pillars. I'd even put some on the C pillar that I can see in my mirror. YES.

And go old school muscle and put a row of gauges on my hood.

I was quoted about 850$ for some Defi gauges and an AEM a/f, so they're not too crazy expensive

$850 for fancy lights is expensive. :shakes head:

http://www.autometer.com/img/products/6453_d.jpg
http://www.autometer.com/img/products/6456_d.jpg

The defi's look better, IMO, but those are still nice.

Still waiting for Lou to post a DIY...

Don't know why it sounds windy or why the wipers stay on for so long...

Defi's are extremely nice. I had a full compliment in my Audi. You don't need to go with the link series with controller. Their Racer series are the same high quality stepper motor electronic gauges, just without the programming controls of the link system (they're all real gauges, BTW, not video screens as reported earlier). Defi's been doing this for a long time.
Check em out: Defi - Gauges & Head up displays

I think Lou had this done so it's unlikely we'll get a DIY. I think the project got a lot more involved then originally planned....

The reason I like the Link system is the ability to just run 1 daisy chain to the gauges and just have all the senders routed into the controller. Simplicity. The programming and playback and all that is just extra benefit.

Don't look at me, AAM did the install. I would have chopped the dash in half trying to pull off what they did.

I doubt if they post a DIY for the install. Clint said they had to rip out the entire dash to do it clean. Doubt they took step by step pics, Sounds like a Friday to Sunday DIY job.

Those look nice. The chrome rings are suited to that Mustang... don't think they'd quite jive with the 370.

As for the wind... he had his AC on. Dunno about the wipers.

I'm a DeFi whore.(can't beat there quality) Those Nexus do look nice though.

i like the autometers for the glass face as well so you won't have a problem seeing them if sunlight hits them so i figured i's throw em up for the roadster people. paint the ring on the nexus's and i could go either way since they both do the same things it becomes a price battle

edit:also the defi's only come in red amber which is red and the nexus can change through like twelve colors including the red in the video and an amber lighting

The bottom line is...Someone needs to do a dyi for this inastall. If I did not have my hands full with other mods comming in I would not mind doing it. This is somthing many people are interested in, so a diy would make many happy! We will see if anyone has the balls to do it soon, I hope.