Would it be possible to install and use Aftermarket guages?

[93LuminaZ34va]

I know temp, pressure and the like is easy.... but what about a speedo? or a tach? I like the Z34.... but I've never been very crazy about the instrument panel. Main thing is the 115mph speedo..... anybody ever tried hooking up an aftermarket one? 160 on the speedo would be nice

[bszopi]

Re: Would it be possible to install and use Aftermarket guag

160 on the speedo would be nice

Why?

[93LuminaZ34va]

The ultimate goal..... sure it will peg a 115...... but with a little work, and no limiter, why not 120+? plus I'd like to KNOW how fast I'm going without having help from an officer first lol. The main thing behind it would be a redesign of the instrument panel, all together. I like the GP panel alot better, but just tossing around the possiblities of an altogether custom dash....

[bszopi]

I understand the custom dash, as I plan to eventually do the same thing. But there is no reason for the speedo to read that high. Do you plan on exceeding 115mph that often that you need to know exactly how fast you are going? IMO, if you even get up that high, you are just a moron... first, it most likely wouldn't happen at a track because a Lumina just won't get there in the restraints of a track; second, because if you do it on public roads, you are endangering others, not just yourself.

You can argue with me all you want, but you will find that many of the hard core people on this site are 100% against speeds like that.

[93LuminaZ34va]

Very true. I don't dispute your point. Just basically all of the speedo's I have seen are 160mph..... and if I were to get an aftermarket, I might as well get it. My main reason for posting though was how or what would be involved with getting like an electric AutoMeter speedo to read corectly on our cars? If they make any marked out slower than 160, atleast in the styles I like, I am unaware of them (which is possible.)

[dohcfiend]

if you have an aldl scanner, it should tell you how fast you are going.

[Lyle's GTP]

These things all hook by conventional means. It probably would use something other than the computer. The Z34's do have a hurtin' 80's style dash/cluster it would be a cool idea. Also, you could add all the extra guages you want without making them look out of place.

Lyle

[93LuminaZ34va]

I had an idea last night, partialy inspired by some of todays newer highline cars, and by one of my old hobbies. I'm thinking about mounting a LCD or TFT screen inside the custom dash...... using a remote (used) computer, preferably lap top to interpret the inputs, and calculate the display..... using something akin to the guage program used in Microsoft Flight Simulator.... I can design my own guage files and my own planes on there, using free ware.... therefore enabling me to not only design the instrument panel.... but the ability to redesign/adjust all the guages to my will. Expensive? yes. Time comsuming? you bet. Fun, and all together different? I think so....

[VerbotenZ34]

Hey, that would be an awesome idea! When you got tired of the gauges you have loaded presently, you could just program another set! The commercial possibilities are endless! If you get this bad boy up and running, I STRONGLY suggest you patent it!

Verboten

[SappySE107]

The problem with that is the refresh rate, you would need the program to be very efficient for only displaying a few items. It also has to boot and be on when the car comes on. I don't know how well a laptop is gonna help you out there.

[Anonymous]

And I think that not too many mods are needed to get near 115 at the track. I am running at 95, considering I hold it till a little after the line, which is literally 6800 in third. Now with headers and a few more things, I expect to pretty much ride out 4th to redline too, which is around 125-130. But this is with a moderattly modified 3.4, so it is different. I feel for you wanted to know how fast, I have the same problem. It pegs my dahs at like 6 in 4th, and I'd like to know how fast I was going when i went into 5th at 7k and rode 5th until about 5500. I stopped btw, but it was still pulling decently.

[bszopi]

Curtis, with his mid 12 second passes, isn't even passing 110mph in the trap. So I think you need to rethink your ideas of reaching 115 even at a track.

[93LuminaZ34va]

No need for a patent, as Lexus and Mercedees already have working versions, only using hardware in chipsets. However, the guages are not reprogramable. If I were proficient enough with the hardware side, I would make an entirely FLASH RAM/ROM version, so that I would not have to boot everytime. I think it is feasable, and as for the refresh rates... the latest version of Flight Simulator (2003: A century of flight) has the potential to keep up with the refresh rate of the computer... and if you could get the screen to keep up at 80hz or better, I think it would keep up. I run my PC at 100hz, 1280x1280 pixels I think.... although I have a kick butt ATI RADEON video card. typically runs about 80-100 FPS, which the human eye can only detect around 60FPS...... more than adequate. Take away all the sound and physics calculations, and even less processing is required to work the guages. I'm gonna brain storm some more tonight. If any of ya'll are good at designing self sufficient IC's, lemme know, and we can discuss the particulars such as how much processing power and memory should be required.

[VerbotenZ34]

If you can get this idea up and running, I'll buy three
And just think - once you have the hardware figured out, it shouldn't be a large bound of the imagination to make it multi-model/multi-car compatible.

Verboten

[Mitch DOHC]

it all depends on what track yall are at...... drag strip 115 probably isent going to happen....... but i promise u that i have hit 115, and 120+ going down the back strech at alanta moter speed way a couple of times....my speedoo stops at 120.. but i have no need for any more..... i am on a legond car team... and sometimes the track officals will let us take laps after the legonds races are over..... the 160 speedo is definatly not nessary but it might fill the look u r going for