My Gauges...After Installation

[jmciver]

I picked up my car today with the gauges installed. I think they look even better installed. I took the advice of another member and had the mesh painted black. The center knop is of course functional and the vents put out more than enough air the get the car cool and keep it that way. Oh yeah, in case you were wondering, the gauges are boost and oil pressure.

[MB330Ci]

very nice.

[ritos530i]

Can they do this with a AFR gauge and engine temperature gauge.
If so i need there number.
Let me know.

And don't let me for get that this is Sooooooo Nice and glad you finally have the kit installed and running well.

Have fun.

[Shinobi]

:clap: Cool! I love custom work. Awesome how you kept the vent and dial functionality. Too bad you aren't out here on the West coast to show it off at Bimmerfest tomorrow.

[jmciver]

Can they do this with a AFR gauge and engine temperature gauge.
If so i need there number.
Let me know.

And don't let me for get that this is Sooooooo Nice and glad you finally have the kit installed and running well.

Have fun.
I am sure it could be made with any type of gauge. The bezel started life as a stock center vent to ensure propper fitment and air flow. From there, it is all creativity. The shop is here in Chessapeake, VA so let me know if you are still interested and I will pass on the word.

[russ330]

Wow pretty neat idea. :thumbup:

[ritos530i]

I am sure it could be made with any type of gauge. The bezel started life as a stock center vent to ensure propper fitment and air flow. From there, it is all creativity. The shop is here in Chessapeake, VA so let me know if you are still interested and I will pass on the word.

Yeap i interested and could do the install myself with a DIY instructions. (the install that is)
i still would like to have them do my custom. I assume i could just order the vents and send it to them that way i can keep the car looking neat until the custom work is done.

Let me know and nice work.

[douglas_ngo]

It turns out better than expected. Good work. :drool: :thumbsup:

[Maestroxl]

Great job, nicest setup I have seen thusfar.
Congrats

MXL

[amazzzin]

sick setup! =]

[jmciver]

Yeap i interested and could do the install myself with a DIY instructions. (the install that is)
i still would like to have them do my custom. I assume i could just order the vents and send it to them that way i can keep the car looking neat until the custom work is done.

Let me know and nice work.

Here is the info on the shop:

Premier Autosound
3322 Western Branch Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(757) 484-6822

They will be able to give you a good idea of time frame and pricing based on what you want. As far as install is concerned, the bezel fits into the car just like a stock vent. It is just a matter of connecting the wires from the gauges to the control unit and then the control unit to the senors in the engine compartment. The difficulty of the install is dependent on where and how you mount the various components.

[tylerc]

man, they need to mass produce these, they could make a killing, i bet a LOT of people would want them

[Lemonsqr]

That is so awesome!:bow:

[05SCM3]

Group Buy!!! :excited:

[bimmerboy36]

can you pm me how much you paid total for that to be made? Thanks!

[Maestroxl]

Group Buy!!! :excited:

+1

[BlkE4600]

Are those defi gauges? I so want to put a set of three of the red face Deif in my 323 soon.....I just don't know if I'm ready to tackle the install myself or have someone else do it.

-Bill

[jmciver]

Are those defi gauges? I so want to put a set of three of the red face Deif in my 323 soon.....I just don't know if I'm ready to tackle the install myself or have someone else do it.

-Bill
They are DEFI BF Amber gauges. Installing the senders in the engine compartment for my gauges (boost and oil pressure) was pretty easy, and I did that part. Taking apart the inside of the car to install the internal stuff and run wires, although I could do it, is what I would rather leave to the pros. I have pics of how I installed my boost and oil pressure sender if you want to see them.

[aggieE46]

Really nice setup. You should definitely get a group buy going for those.

[jmciver]

Really nice setup. You should definitely get a group buy going for those.
Sorry guys, I am not sure if this is really a "group buyable" item, at least not yet. This was obviously a custom job and the guy who made it spent A LOT of time on it. Besides keeping the center knob functional and having workable vents (which put out a lot of air BTW), a lot of effort was spent on the contours (if that is the right word) or recessed look around gauges.

I suppose some type of mold could be made, but I am far from an expert in that area and I don't know if the shop that made mine is prepared to go down that road just yet. But who knows, the shop's contact info is in this thread so I guess anything is possible :) .

[MSpired]

Very nice!

[Lay2Low]

That is a sick set up!

[clean-m-tech330]

I love it, but wish it held 3 gauges

[jmciver]

I love it, but wish it held 3 gauges
Yeah, I tried, but I would not have worked because I wanted to keep the temp knob functional.

[clean-m-tech330]

looks beautiful no doubt though- I just bought a new center a/c vent... and I'm gonna try and fit three gauges, if possible- I really like your idea though, thanks for the inspiration!!!

Any other ideas though, I think if a center a/c vent setup could be made, it'd sell like no other-

I'm curious could you let me know what it ran you for that exact setup that you had made?

I don't mean to be rude, just want to know what I'm in for lol, thanks-

-Chris

[MSpired]

looks beautiful no doubt though- I just bought a new center a/c vent... and I'm gonna try and fit three gauges, if possible- I really like your idea though, thanks for the inspiration!!!

Any other ideas though, I think if a center a/c vent setup could be made, it'd sell like no other-

I'm curious could you let me know what it ran you for that exact setup that you had made?

I don't mean to be rude, just want to know what I'm in for lol, thanks-

-Chris


Here is my 3 gauge set up, had to sacrifice the air/heat control, not a big deal to me....

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/mspiredm3/CIMG2898.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/mspiredm3/CIMG2897.jpg

[jmciver]

looks beautiful no doubt though- I just bought a new center a/c vent... and I'm gonna try and fit three gauges, if possible- I really like your idea though, thanks for the inspiration!!!

Any other ideas though, I think if a center a/c vent setup could be made, it'd sell like no other-

I'm curious could you let me know what it ran you for that exact setup that you had made?

I don't mean to be rude, just want to know what I'm in for lol, thanks-

-Chris
Let's just say it is not for the faint at heart. Are you trying to do this yourself or have a shop do it? Different shops have different rates and skill levels. Also, if you go the three gauge route it would probably be easier since you don't have to deal with the knob or vents.

[clean-m-tech330]

Here is my 3 gauge set up, had to sacrifice the air/heat control, not a big deal to me....

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/mspiredm3/CIMG2898.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/mspiredm3/CIMG2897.jpg

That's exactly what I'm looking for, can I get a lil more info from you on it, price, parts, etc- thanks! :hi:

[clean-m-tech330]

Let's just say it is not for the faint at heart. Are you trying to do this yourself or have a shop do it? Different shops have different rates and skill levels. Also, if you go the three gauge route it would probably be easier since you don't have to deal with the knob or vents.

I'm going to have technik install the gauges, I just need the actual panel made. I know it's not exactly cheap by any means though lol- I like the 2 gauge setup a lot though as well- looks very elegant-I'm still interested in that setup as well, also could i get a lil more info on it as well, thank you! :hi:

[jmciver]

I'm going to have technik install the gauges, I just need the actual panel made. I know it's not exactly cheap by any means though lol- I like the 2 gauge setup a lot though as well- looks very elegant-I'm still interested in that setup as well, also could i get a lil more info on it as well, thank you! :hi:
What type of additional info do you want?

[clean-m-tech330]

just pricing for the most part,if that's cool. I'm just about to go pick up a new a/c vent unit in about 20 mins- so that way, I'll at least have some kind of a template that fits perfectly and then I'll have to go from there-

[MSpired]

That's exactly what I'm looking for, can I get a lil more info from you on it, price, parts, etc- thanks! :hi:

Cost me $500 from one of the best mobile electronic isntallers I know of... Traffic Jamz in Encino. Mine is made completely from scratch, not using the stock air vents at all.

[dtk]

...but how does your AC feel now?

[clean-m-tech330]

^

we just roll the windows down- :thumbup:

[MSpired]

...but how does your AC feel now?

Since the center vents are now plugged up, the other vents blow sronger. With the windows up, the car will still get as cold as you'd like it to. As for me, I enjoy having the windows down as much as possible :thumbsup:

[jmciver]

Since the center vents are now plugged up, the other vents blow sronger. With the windows up, the car will still get as cold as you'd like it to. As for me, I enjoy having the windows down as much as possible :thumbsup:
I don't know about all that. In anticipation of my gauges, I operated my AC with the center vent shut, before it got too hot outside. I noticed a big difference in how long it took me (and the car) to cool down with the center vent shut. Now that it is getting really hot (90+ deg) I really appreciate the air from the center vent, which is pretty close to what it was in stock trim.

However, it is all personal preference. For example, there are some people who will drive with a convertible top down in all kinds of weather, hot or cold. Me, if it is not between 80 to 85 deg, I won't have the top down. I would suggest you drive around with the center vents closed, especially now that summer is here, to get an idea of what it will be like. That should be the worst case scenario since even the 3 gauge design can have some air blowing from the bottom of it.

Oh yeah, one nice thing about using the stock vent as a template, besides allowing for perfect fitment, was that the shop didn't need my car to work on the gauges. And I didn't have to go back to the shop to test for fitment until it was done (although the shop wanted to do it once, just in case).

[dtk]

Form over function? I choose function... cool me down. There was a guy I can't remeber right now, who had guages in his windsheild/side window post that didn't effect the curtain airbags. That works.
But to each his own. Maybe if I was in Cali, I would see different.

Edit: Maybe if I was in Cali, as opposed to NY, due to climate....

[jmciver]

Form over function? I choose function... cool me down. There was a guy I can't remeber right now, who had guages in his windsheild/side window post that didn't effect the curtain airbags. That works.
But to each his own. Maybe if I was in Cali, I would see different.

Edit: Maybe if I was in Cali, as opposed to NY, due to climate....
Well I would like to think both designs, the 2 or 3 gauge have both, just to different degrees. I am not sure if MSpired's design has this, but the first 3 gauge design I saw (the one that was my inspiration) still had air blowing out of the bottom of the bezel. I was originally going to go this route but I found that for me personally, the temp knob made a big difference for me.

Also, the driver side vent blows out quite a bit of air as well. I use the driver side vent to blow air directly on me when I need the quick cool down while I am driving. The center vent, which is not directional and does not blow air directly on me by design, was done to help get air into the cabin as quickly as possible (and will blow air on me if I get my pimp lean on :str8pimpi ....). And of course keep the temp knob functional.

I plan on having an A/F gauge mounted in the driver vent (the PLX Devices M300 which is just a small LED display) which will still allow me to keep the directionality of the vents and loose minimal air flow. So that is another option.

[MSpired]

It's all in personal prefrence. My car is not my daily and is a lil bit on the extreme side of modding. I didn't create the small slit underneath the gauges since that would baraly do anything, and I might even end up taking out my A/C some time soon....