Looking for a gauge mounting solution, suggestions?

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 12:01 PM

I am in desperate need of some gauges. I want to mod, but still do not have a boost gauge, etc. i'm going to have at least boost, and a digital tach/shift light. i would like to eventually have volts and oil temp. ideally, i would have the shift light on the steering column, and the other 3 in an A pillar pod. My only problem is that gauge mounting solutions are hard to find for the evo X. When I do run into some, they are ridiculously expensive. I dont need carbon fiber, and I dont need a $200 piece of plastic. many sites have A pillars and such for evo 9's for $50 or less. any gauge mounting solution i've found for the X is between $100 and $250. I do not want to spend as much on the mounting solution as i do on the gauges. does anyone know of a clean looking, functional gauge mounting solution that won't break the bank?

Thanks!

Frankiago · Oct 12, 2009, 12:30 PM

The cheaper you go, the less it will match with anything on the interior. The reason some of those are so pricey is that they actually match other trim.

As for gauges, I'm just curious as to what you want a voltmeter for?

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankiago

The cheaper you go, the less it will match with anything on the interior. The reason some of those are so pricey is that they actually match other trim.

As for gauges, I'm just curious as to what you want a voltmeter for?

That's the thing though. I dont need specially formulated, scientifically researched plastic to match the OEM interior 100% ...I need a place to put my gauges. What happened to just making a generic black A pillar replacement like every other tuner car ever made? I understand wanting to have things look 100% factory, but a piece of plastic isn't worth $200 to me. Some company needs to pull through and make a solution for those of use that don't have $100's of dollars to make something look completely OEM.

As for the voltmeter, I had one in my last car, and it actually came in handy. I just like knowing where my battery is at, especially in chicago winters.

Td66 · Oct 12, 2009, 02:33 PM

I believe, what you may find available, is going to be pricey. You can either buy the 1 pod rexspeed offers, have one made by someone else or make one yourself. Cost me about 50-60$ to make my own. Its your choice, but maybe an A/F gauge should also be on your list of gauges. I have a How To listed for do-it-yourself a-pillar pod. Check it out.

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 03:37 PM

I may be working with a professional fiberglasser in the very near future to make a single replacement piece for the a pillar. I'll keep you updated on this if you'd like.

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ►EvolutionX◄

I may be working with a professional fiberglasser in the very near future to make a single replacement piece for the a pillar. I'll keep you updated on this if you'd like.

Definitely! Though, how "near future" are we talking? I'm hoping to get some sort of plan together for gauges when money becomes available. With the weather getting colder, it might be a neat project for me to fab my own in the garage if i feel like it.

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Td66

I believe, what you may find available, is going to be pricey. You can either buy the 1 pod rexspeed offers, have one made by someone else or make one yourself. Cost me about 50-60$ to make my own. Its your choice, but maybe an A/F gauge should also be on your list of gauges. I have a How To listed for do-it-yourself a-pillar pod. Check it out.

I would love to do a wideband, but the price for one of those is a little out of my gauge budget right now. plus, to run wideband, dont you need a test pipe with 2 o2 bungs? one for your stock o2, and one for the wideband?

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjesenovec

Definitely! Though, how "near future" are we talking? I'm hoping to get some sort of plan together for gauges when money becomes available. With the weather getting colder, it might be a neat project for me to fab my own in the garage if i feel like it.

Probably A Week or Two, You can do what TD was talking about, I was going to go that route, but now I'm looking to fab up a piece that will directly replace the A pillar, not add on to it or cover it up. I'm sure there are others that would be interested in this as well, however, It will be made in a double pillar first, then others as Needed.

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjesenovec

I would love to do a wideband, but the price for one of those is a little out of my gauge budget right now. plus, to run wideband, dont you need a test pipe with 2 o2 bungs? one for your stock o2, and one for the wideband?

When you purchase a wideband they normally come with another bung, which you can get welded onto your stock downpipe, only costs about 15$

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ►EvolutionX◄

When you purchase a wideband they normally come with another bung, which you can get welded onto your stock downpipe, only costs about 15$

Good point. I have a family-friend contact that welds stainless on the cheap. Some guy my dad went to high school with. He just welded my little brother's electronic exhaust cutouts with stainless on his 06 GTO for $50.

Also, if i fab my own, i can do a 3 or 4 pod custom pillar, and cap off empty pods until i can get a gauge to fill it. like start out with boost and shift light or something, then add wideband etc. when funds become available.

I was just thinking as well, what is a common power solution for 3 or 4 gauges? i already have my radar detector hard wired into the in dash fuse box. will i have to do an add-a-fuse and find separate power for each gauge? seems like it could be cluttered, on top of being a pain.

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjesenovec

Good point. I have a family-friend contact that welds stainless on the cheap. Some guy my dad went to high school with. He just welded my little brother's electronic exhaust cutouts with stainless on his 06 GTO for $50.

Also, if i fab my own, i can do a 3 or 4 pod custom pillar, and cap off empty pods until i can get a gauge to fill it. like start out with boost and shift light or something, then add wideband etc. when funds become available.

Personally I think that a dual looks the best, however, to each their own, by putting 4 on your a pillar you are getting quite near the top of the a pillar, which not only will limit your visibility on the gauge, but a gauge located at the very top could interfere with the airbag (I KNOW THIS isnt supposed to be an issue, but going that high up could be a problem.)

blk-majik · Oct 12, 2009, 03:56 PM

suggestion: use the search

there's like 100 threads on this.

btw, exhaust welds are not something you want to skimp on. even though they're not load-baring like a suspension welds, a leak can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and literally kill you or your passengers, especially front-exhaust leaks like a wideband bung. whoever does it, make sure they pressure test it. Then again, if you're not tuning, you don't need a wideband at all.

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk-majik

suggestion: use the search

there's like 100 threads on this.

Would a search yield the result that I may be producing a direct replacement piece in the next few weeks? I forgot the search bar fortold the future..

Can't you just throw out a few examples of what he could do, then suggest the search bar to view examples of these?

mjesenovec · Oct 12, 2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ►EvolutionX◄

Personally I think that a dual looks the best, however, to each their own, by putting 4 on your a pillar you are getting quite near the top of the a pillar, which not only will limit your visibility on the gauge, but a gauge located at the very top could interfere with the airbag (I KNOW THIS isnt supposed to be an issue, but going that high up could be a problem.)

This is true. guess i'll stick with 3 then. i plan on doing 3 on the pillar, and a shift light behind the steering wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk-majik

suggestion: use the search

there's like 100 threads on this.

btw, exhaust welds are not something you want to skimp on. even though they're not load-baring like a suspension welds, a leak can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and literally kill you or your passengers, especially front-exhaust leaks like a wideband bung. whoever does it, make sure they pressure test it. Then again, if you're not tuning, you don't need a wideband at all.

I've spent the past 2 days surfing and browsing evom for gauge mounting solutions. I only posted this thread because after 2 days on google and evom, my question still wasn't answered.

I wouldn't skimp on any welding if i choose to go that route. This "family friend" has owned this welding shop for 25 years, and specializes in stainless. The welds on my bro's midpipes are amazing. looks like a robot did it...but we watched him do it by hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ►EvolutionX◄

Would a search yield the result that I may be producing a direct replacement piece in the next few weeks? I forgot the search bar fortold the future..

Can't you just throw out a few examples of what he could do, then suggest the search bar to view examples of these?

Thanks. I've read every thread that popped up while searching "gauges, pod, a pillar, gauge mounting, gauge locations" etc. read everything and none of it answered my questions. I thank you for taking the time to respond and trying to help me out

►EvolutionX◄ · Oct 12, 2009, 04:49 PM

I will try to expedite things with my fiberglasser, he gets back in town on the 14th, and we should be done at the latest a couple weeks after. I will keep you updated.