Cadillac CTS-V 2004-2007 (Gen I) The Caddy with an Attitude...

Cheap and Easy gauge mount

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Old 03-07-2012, 09:58 AM
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Default Cheap and Easy gauge mount

Its no secret mounting aftermarket gauges in a V1 is a pain. The most common locations I've seen through searching is the Pillar mount, Pod mount above the center vents, and in the ash tray. I've also seen a few steering column mounts, with varying degrees of success, due to blocking the factory gauges.

The pillar and pod mounts are tacky, IMHO, and the ash tray mount doesn't do me any good. Looking down when you're going REALLY REALLY fast is a bad idea.

I came up with this, I stole the pipe idea from another poster who used the PVC as a base to form a fiber glass pod. I'm not good with glassing anything, so I kept it simple.

Pipe. 2" shedule 40 $5 at any hardware store.


Cut a a piece off for the pod, and another piece for the mount, then cut the mount piece in quarters. Scuff it all up with fine sand paper and use superglue to get this shape.


The pipe is slightly bigger than the gauge, so wrap some tape around it for a snug fit.


I skipped a very important step, paint the gauge pod BLACK. I apologize for not getting a picture

Mount it in position, you could use double stick tape, screws, whatever you like. I used Black RTV silicon, stuff works great. Use a piece of tape to hold it in place while the glue dries.


The finished product, picture taken with the camera literally touching my nose. The gauge is clearly visible, but no factory gauges are totally blocked.
Old 03-07-2012, 10:18 AM
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nicccee.. never thought of pvc supports.. i did the same thing wit a little fiberglass

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...-trim-diy.html
Old 03-07-2012, 12:12 PM
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what gauge is that? is the small v just a decal?
Old 03-07-2012, 12:45 PM
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Very nice idea. I'm in the process of just finding one

do they have ones that give you boost and afr all in one?
Old 03-07-2012, 01:04 PM
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The ones that i have seen that give both boost and afr are NOT able to show both at the same time... If you have aftermarket head unit there is some software that shows both on the LCD screen of the radio...
Old 03-07-2012, 01:06 PM
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any links?
Old 03-07-2012, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by shadyLS6
nicccee.. never thought of pvc supports.. i did the same thing wit a little fiberglass
It was your mount that gave me the idea to use the pipe as my starting point, I appreciate the write up you did a while back

The gauge I'm using is an Aeromotive Interceptor. It pulls the info from your OBD2 port, so it will show anything monitored by the ecm. Also, each gauge monitors 2 parameters at a time. Their dual gauge is actually two gauges which can monitor 4 paramaters at any one time. Finally, there are two analog inputs for the gauge. The V symbol is a custom face they made, I'm sure they still have the pattern, just ask for it.

This Gauge can monitor Boost and AFR at the same time, BUT, in a V1 you will need to use a 2 or 3 bar MAP sensor and wire it into the Analog input. This was disappointing to me because I'm running a HP tuners 2bar OS yet when I try to use the gauge to monitor boost through the OBD2 port it still acts as a 1 bar MAP sensor and the gauge never shows boost. The way I understand it is HP tuners reformats the ECM to use a 2 bar MAP sensor with a non standard MAP PID, so the computer knows there is a 2 bar MAP sensor, but the Gauge does not know how to look for it. So, I spliced into my MAP 0-5volt signal wire and run it to my analog 1 input for the gauge. Wideband 02 sensor, If i wanted to use it would connect to my analog 2.

I have my gauge showing boost and IAT, plus programed the gauge to light up the red LED light above the screen if my temps ever get above 110 Fahrenheit. Which would mean the meth isn't working. Once I have the car tuned on HI boost I'll set up a warning light for overboost too.

My third favorite thing to monitor is Knock Retard.
Old 03-07-2012, 05:56 PM
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Hey GulfM3, do you know how to 'name' each analog input? I have a fuel pressure sending unit, but it shows up as 'input 1' or whatever... it sure would be nice if it actually said 'Fuel Pres' or something.
Old 03-07-2012, 06:24 PM
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Haven't named it yet.... If I figure that out I'll let you know.
Old 03-07-2012, 08:04 PM
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Don't know if they make a model for the Caddi's but here it is from the Subie forums... http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...gmt&prodid=583




Originally Posted by wcryan
any links?
Old 03-07-2012, 08:14 PM
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^ man, that thing is nice..... It doesnt look like they make it for the V. I wish they did
Old 03-07-2012, 08:23 PM
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I just sent an e-mail to Z1 if they know where i can get one for an American car... I will post their response in this thread when i get it.
Old 03-07-2012, 08:25 PM
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Thank you. keep us posted
Old 03-07-2012, 09:32 PM
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Looks crazy CHEAP imo. I had a wideband for mine and sold it due to having zero places to put it.
Old 03-08-2012, 07:03 AM
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As promised... So it sounds to me that we can use??

It's universal not car specific


Z1 Performance
www.z1auto.com
Cornerbalance.wordpress.com


On Mar 7, 2012, at 9:22 PM, <det300zx@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Do they make this unit for American cars or do you know where i can find
> one for my CTS-V...
>
> http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...gmt&prodid=583
>
Old 03-08-2012, 08:16 AM
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Old 03-08-2012, 08:17 AM
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Old 03-08-2012, 08:49 AM
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Nice... is your car turbo'd? What all you running? Boost, EGT, Oil pressure??
Old 03-08-2012, 09:14 AM
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418 LS3

oil temp
intercepter
wideband

and drawing a blank on the 4th WTF lol
Old 03-08-2012, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo Pig
Wideband should be in your face, that location is absolutely pointless.


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