I want to install some gauges. Not sure which setup I like best. The white square is a V1 concealed display unit that I would like to integrate into the panel. I was also thinking of putting the V1 display in the face of the ashtray (setup not pictured), but the face of the ashtray is not flat, so it might look funny.

Anyway, I'm liking the 4 gauge setup: water temp, oil pressure, trans temp, water temp.

Let me know what you think.

BTW, this is just a mockup panel. The scrap piece of vinyl is just wrapped around the wood panel, that's why it's all lumpy looking.

you're doing something about that auto tranny cover right ?

right?



the last one btw, plain and simple

but thats just me

I vote the 3 gauge setup of your choice.

oil pressure, oil temp, and trans temp.

you got the water temp gauge on the dash anyway.

you're doing something about that auto tranny cover right ?

right?



the last one btw, plain and simple

but thats just me

If you're talking about the gear selector piece and bezel, I have one, but it's just not installed in these picts.

I vote the 3 gauge setup of your choice.

oil pressure, oil temp, and trans temp.

you got the water temp gauge on the dash anyway.

+1

I'd do a V1 remote display just behind the steering column.

+1

I'd do a V1 remote display just behind the steering column.

As in, on the top of the steering column? I will have to try that.

I need it somewhere. This dangling from the ashtray is getting old.

As in, on the top of the steering column? I will have to try that.

I need it somewhere. This dangling from the ashtray is getting old.

Not on top of the steering column, but just behind it, like on the front edge of the gauge cluster, in front of the LCD screen. Hard to explain, but that's where a lot of remote installs are.

I think I'm going to save my ashtray for a Sirius tuner, if I add that down the road.

I like the 3rd picture with the left offset rectangle. Matches the e34's the best.

If you're talking about the gear selector piece and bezel, I have one, but it's just not installed in these picts.

more like a 5spd swap since you're doing all those readouts and all that work already

but do your thing

+5pts for the work put into it =]

Post a pic of the remote display, I may have an idea depending on the size.

more like a 5spd swap since you're doing all those readouts and all that work already

but do your thing

+5pts for the work put into it =]

Yea, I probably will when the auto goes to meet it's maker.

Here's the 2 displays I have to choose from. I would like to go with the bigger one, if possible. Bigger one is just under 2-1/2" long. The smaller one is just under 2" long".

Also, threw up another pict since someone mentioned "E34 style". Made me think of that ASC button thing. The only problem with this setup is the display is sideways, but it's still readable.

Well, if it were mine, I'd get some fiberglass and make a fitting for it in the sunroof access panel. Out of sight, not distracting, but visible enough when it goes off. Wrap the panel in cloth again when the fg is finished.

Here's the 2 displays I have to choose from. I would like to go with the bigger one, if possible. Bigger one is just under 2-1/2" long. The smaller one is just under 2" long".

Also, threw up another pict since someone mentioned "E34 style". Made me think of that ASC button thing. The only problem with this setup is the display is sideways, but it's still readable.

Check my cardomain site listed in the autosig. If you put the remote in front of the Steering column you will have a harder time reaching the mute button. And you will need to reach it several times during a trip! - JT

Check my cardomain site listed in the autosig. If you put the remote in front of the Steering column you will have a harder time reaching the mute button. And you will need to reach it several times during a trip! - JT

Not bad. Very stealth. The only problem is you'd need to leave the ashtray open all the time.

*** bump ****

second to last and the last one are my favorites.

oh btw i forgot what goes here, but i think you should do this
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb135/pwnthis/BMW%20540i/Bimmer.jpg

if you are talking about the rectangle in the center console that is the hazard light switch

thats right, well you can proly relocate that to a toggle switch in the area next to the fog light switch, i just think it would look alot nice if it were down there, IMO of course.

do the 3 gauge setup and V1 in the ashtray

Not bad. Very stealth. The only problem is you'd need to leave the ashtray open all the time.

Unless you cut it into the front of the ashtray.

Unless you cut it into the front of the ashtray.

...which is what I was thinking of doing...

So yeah the V1 in the ash tray and then 3 gauges underneath would look nice.

Finished everything last night and tonight. I decided to go with 4 gauges and the V1 display in the ashtray. Not sure I'd ever do this again since getting everything to fit just right was a pain, but I like the results. I still need to attach the sensor for the trans (going to try tapping a pump plug) and attach the braided stainless line for the engine oil pressure (having someone make me an adapter to attach to the head to allow the factory sensor and stainless line at the same time), but the volts and water temp are working.

Almost forgot....I had to use the small display since the larger V1 display was going to interfere with the ashtray faceplate mounting. Oh well.

please excuse the filth....my car hasn't been cleaned in a while...

that looks great, mind opening the ash tray?

oh and if your going for a more racy look, you need to mount them sideways, that way when everything is at the normal opperating range, say the temp is 180, then you would have 180 at the very top, so all you have to do is glance down and see that its pointing straight up, and you wont have to look at it very long. Thats what my uncle and i did in out dirt oval cars. It worked great.

that looks great, mind opening the ash tray?

oh and if your going for a more racy look, you need to mount them sideways, that way when everything is at the normal opperating range, say the temp is 180, then you would have 180 at the very top, so all you have to do is glance down and see that its pointing straight up, and you wont have to look at it very long. Thats what my uncle and i did in out dirt oval cars. It worked great.

I'll get a shot tomorrow. Not much to look at. I cut out only what I had to. It will actually fit in the ashtray without having to cut too much. I did have to remove the black plastic cig butt thing and grind a little of the chrome surround down, but not much.

Wow nice job i like the 4 gauge setup 2 more gauges the better^^ set it up like a frickin airplane cockpit in there if i could lol

Wow nice job i like the 4 gauge setup 2 more gauges the better^^ set it up like a frickin airplane cockpit in there if i could lol

Thanks.

Yea. I had the room and I was really on the fence about adding a fourth. It was really now or never so I just went for it.

Do you have any night time shots with everything illuminated? The gauges look good but the radar display stands out (to me) because your interior isnt black. The install looks good though. Great job :cool

Do you have any night time shots with everything illuminated? The gauges look good but the radar display stands out (to me) because your interior isnt black. The install looks good though. Great job :cool

It would look better with a black interior. I'll see how I like it. Thanks for the compliment.

I have to learn how to take night shots. This is the best I got right now.

A (little) better night shot and a shot of the inside of the ashtray. I pulled the insert out or better viewing.

that looks great, very nice install...how much were the gauges and where did you buy from?

that looks great, very nice install...how much were the gauges and where did you buy from?

Thanks!

I bought them from www.egauges.com.

They were around $25/each

can you get better pics of them in the daylight? I am interested in seeing the fit and finish of the final product.

They do look good lit up though....

can you get better pics of them in the daylight? I am interested in seeing the fit and finish of the final product.

They do look good lit up though....

Did you see this (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12366817&postcount=25)?

I can take some daylight shots, if need be.

no, I didn't see that. It looks a lot better than I thought it would.

I think it's time to get rid of the wood trim, though. The gauges look really out of place because of it. I am also not a fan of wood trim in these cars, so that might be a little of it.

The V1 install, while I think great in theory, looks really cheap. A straight edge while cutting could have made a better difference, but it still needs something to trim out the edges.

Off to a great start, but I think there is still some fit and finish work to be done with it.

But congrats. It does look a lot better then I thought it would.

Oh, and did you use a splitter for the water temp or add a gauge? I guess what I am asking is if your stock one still works.....

I vote the 3 gauge setup of your choice.

oil pressure, oil temp, and trans temp.

you got the water temp gauge on the dash anyway.

+1

I'd do a V1 remote display just behind the steering column.

+2 on both quotes. Looks cool. I think the trans temp and oil pressure the most important gauges of the center gauges. An oil pressure warning comes on the dash if it drops anyway, so the trans temp is number 1 on my list. As for the V1, speeding is an art form :)

Nice install. I like the different colored climate buttons.

no, I didn't see that. It looks a lot better than I thought it would.

I think it's time to get rid of the wood trim, though. The gauges look really out of place because of it. I am also not a fan of wood trim in these cars, so that might be a little of it.

The V1 install, while I think great in theory, looks really cheap. A straight edge while cutting could have made a better difference, but it still needs something to trim out the edges.

Off to a great start, but I think there is still some fit and finish work to be done with it.

But congrats. It does look a lot better then I thought it would.

Man, you are tough to please. :) If you're talking about the top edge, the edge is actually straight, it just that the vinyl is starting to lift a little from the 100x I refitted it. Also, the face of the V1 display is not flat, it's curved, so this may have something to do with the way it appears. I thought cutting the faceplate was going to be easy, but in BMW fashion the plastic is thick, so it takes some patience and care cutting it. I'm not a fan of wood trim usually either, but I kinda like it in this car.

If you or anyone else has any ideas of how to trim out the V1, let me know.

Oh, and did you use a splitter for the water temp or add a gauge? I guess what I am asking is if your stock one still works.....

No, I added a new sender to the tstat housing. There were 2 sensors there and a plug in the middle. I removed the plug and added the new sensor there.

The stock one still works.

+2 on both quotes. Looks cool. I think the trans temp and oil pressure the most important gauges of the center gauges. An oil pressure warning comes on the dash if it drops anyway, so the trans temp is number 1 on my list. As for the V1, speeding is an art form :)

Nice install. I like the different colored climate buttons.

Thanks!

Which buttons are you referring to? The temp selectors? They're not all that way?

nice setup, Ill be copying this shortly, but wanted to know what size gauges those are.

nice setup, Ill be copying this shortly, but wanted to know what size gauges those are.

Thanks. These are 2-1/16" VDO Vision gauges.

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_grou.asp?Series=Vision

http://forums.***************************************?att achmentid=227552&stc=1&d=1203947429

IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE FACE OF THE V1 IS SEPERATE FROM THE BODY OF THE HOUSING. IT IS MOST LIKELY SNAPPED IN PLACE, BUT COULD ALSO BE HELD THERE BY SCREWS.

EITHER WAY, I WOULD HAVE CUT THE HOLE A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THEY FACE PLACE, ALLOWING ME TO SANDWICH THE ASHTRAY PANEL BETWEEN THE FACE PLACE AND THE HOUSING OF THE UNIT.

YOU CAN ALSO TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH YOUR CURRENT CONFIGURATION.....

http://www.trimlok.com/regular_trim.aspx

http://forums.***************************************?att achmentid=227552&stc=1&d=1203947429

IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE FACE OF THE V1 IS SEPERATE FROM THE BODY OF THE HOUSING. IT IS MOST LIKELY SNAPPED IN PLACE, BUT COULD ALSO BE HELD THERE BY SCREWS.

EITHER WAY, I WOULD HAVE CUT THE HOLE A LITTLE SMALLER THAN THEY FACE PLACE, ALLOWING ME TO SANDWICH THE ASHTRAY PANEL BETWEEN THE FACE PLACE AND THE HOUSING OF THE UNIT.

YOU CAN ALSO TRY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH YOUR CURRENT CONFIGURATION.....

http://www.trimlok.com/regular_trim.aspx


It is snapped it place I believe, but the fact that the face is curved makes it impossible to tuck the entire ashtray trim behind the faceplate.

I added the oil distribution adapter I had made to the car this weekend.

I also added the sensor for the trans temp. I took a new factory trans pump plug and drill/tapped it for the M10 sensor.

Close up of the trans pump plug.

Any pics of that oil distribution plug?

Any pics of that oil distribution plug?

Sure. Turned stainless rod, drilled and tapped for factory oil pressure sensor on one end. Four 1/8" NPT ports for additional gauges, but I really needed 4 ports since I didn't know where the adapter was going to align when it was torqued down. It took some trial and error to get it just right with the stainless line pointing down. Actually, the pict above is my first try at lining things up. The stainless line now comes off the adapter and leaves more space between the intake and the line. Leave 1/8" plugs out and tighten adapter with 7/8" wrench (recessed areas), then add plugs once adapter is on the car.

Huh... that's pretty nifty. How much oil can you flow through there?

More....

Huh... that's pretty nifty. How much oil can you flow through there?

Thanks. Not sure on the volume, but it's pretty wide open. I have my pressure gauge hooked up now. I assume you could do a temp gauge as well, but I'm not going to do that.

man i really like the look of this, i am kinda interested now. I like the trans temp...

How did you attach the panel to the center consol?? Would ABS plastic work ok as wel?? Also, how did you achieve the depth needed for the gauges, did you cut the consol out behind the gauge panel?

Any pics of the console you've made?

Nice install. Looks clean and I like the placement of the V1

if that's the V1 remote, where did you mount the primary unit?