Converting stock gauges to Autometers
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
Converting stock gauges to Autometers I have a 98 z28 build going on. Im deleting the pcm and going with the msd 6010 with a carb setup. I want to completely dumb the 98 factory gauges and go with a autometer setup. ive only seen this don't on one car, but I only have one picture of it from GM high tech magazine but I cant find any build threads on anyone doing this. Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone has done this or something like this. Im curious on how to make custom mount for the gauges to fit like the picture. any help will be greatly appreciated. thanx guys!
ive been wanting to do a custom gauge cluster like that as well, but have them hook up to the factory harness. 6le makes a blank gauge cluster that you can install those types of gauges into, just have to cut your own holes. i will probably use it when i get around to making mine.
http://6litereaterdesigns.com/store/...roducts_id=263
http://6litereaterdesigns.com/store/...roducts_id=263
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
nice find! thanx man. Im thinking about making mine out of sheet metal, real thin, then polishing it up and painting it black. I guess I have to still the same cluster shell, just have to modify the **** out of it?
I did it in my 95, I dont have the stock motor anymore as I went with a traditional SBC so its a little different but the gauge mounting would be the same. I used a piece of 1/4 plexi to make my dash panel. I disassembled the stock cluster and used the stock gauge panel to make a template for my my new gauge plate. I then took the back of the stock cluster (the spot that holds all the electronics and motors) and dremeled all the webbing for the stock electronics out of it so the new gauges had room to fit inside the stock cluster housing. Then I drilled the holes for my new gauges, wrapped the plexi in vinyl and then wired it into the car. I pre wired all the gauges outside of the car to make things a little easier. Im not sure if you could use the stock water temp/ oil pressure sensors or if you would have to use the new ones that come with the autometers, I would change them out and put the new ones in regardless.
Here is my cluster:
Here is my cluster:
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Crimson Bird, They are stewart warner 2 1/16 maximum performance electrical gauges and for the price they arent bad. They all come with there specific sensors and wiring them is not bad. I think I have around around $400 in my setup, 3 3/8 tach, speedo, voltmeter, oil press, fuel press, water temp, and fuel level. Normally it would be around $650 for the same setup but I found some smokin deals on these and it saved me a ton. In our circle track racecars we use pro parts spek pro gauges (the same one that all the nascar teams use) I really wanted to put a set of them in my car but it would have been about $1,200 and that was more than I wanted to sped on gauges. They are absolutely awesome gauges tho, the colors and they way they are backlite are second to none.
Last edited by Rebob5; Feb 6, 2014 at 09:58 PM.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
I did it in my 95, I dont have the stock motor anymore as I went with a traditional SBC so its a little different but the gauge mounting would be the same. I used a piece of 1/4 plexi to make my dash panel. I disassembled the stock cluster and used the stock gauge panel to make a template for my my new gauge plate. I then took the back of the stock cluster (the spot that holds all the electronics and motors) and dremeled all the webbing for the stock electronics out of it so the new gauges had room to fit inside the stock cluster housing. Then I drilled the holes for my new gauges, wrapped the plexi in vinyl and then wired it into the car. I pre wired all the gauges outside of the car to make things a little easier. Im not sure if you could use the stock water temp/ oil pressure sensors or if you would have to use the new ones that come with the autometers, I would change them out and put the new ones in regardless.
Here is my cluster:
Here is my cluster:
hmm, subscribed... been considering this same mod myself. I was looking at the autometer custom lines. A question ive always had is the legality issue with the odometer... how did you guys get around that?
stang_kllr: As long as you get a fuel level gauge that is 0-90 ohm you can tap right into the stock fuel level sensor wire, I tapped into it under the back of the car. There is a plug over the driver side of the rear end with a grey black and purple wire, simply hook the purple wire to the sender wire to your new gauge and it will work perfect. I dont know if i have any pictures of the modified stock gauge cluster but ill look and see if I can find a pic to show you what I did.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
stang_kllr: As long as you get a fuel level gauge that is 0-90 ohm you can tap right into the stock fuel level sensor wire, I tapped into it under the back of the car. There is a plug over the driver side of the rear end with a grey black and purple wire, simply hook the purple wire to the sender wire to your new gauge and it will work perfect. I dont know if i have any pictures of the modified stock gauge cluster but ill look and see if I can find a pic to show you what I did.
Im not sure about other brands, but with speedhut the odometer is programmable so you could match to the existing mileage.
nice, this things more of a show car now anyway and the likelyhood of it getting sold is slim (lord knows ill never get my time or money back) so that works out perfect for me. Thanks for the advice!
Cant wait to see how it turns out. I want to go to speedhut revolution gauges for the entire cluster, but can't justify it yet. With the right font, backlighting and needle choice and color they look phenomenal.