My custom gauge install...

[Steve91T]

Not done, but I thought I'd show what I've done so far. This is my weekend/track day car and my speakers were blown, so I decided to ditch the radio and remove the speakers. I've always wanted the important gauges, water temp, oil temp, and oil press. Accurate ones that is.

I used .025" aluminum that I got at Lowe's and made a panel that I think will look pretty good once the gauges are in.

I can't decide what I want to do for paint. I'm thinking either gloss black or a textured black paint. I think I have a can of it sitting around here somewhere. Almost like bed liner, just not quite as extreme.

These are the gauges I went with. Should be here in a few days.http://prosportgauges.com/blue/White...ce_gauges.aspx
Here are the pictures...

Stock:


Pics of my panel (don't laugh, my first time fabricating anything)...

[nemocamaro]

looks great so far

6LITEREATER Designs

[DynoTomSeattle]

Anxious to see the "After" pics, good job thus far!!

[Blown1993Z28]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

Not done, but I thought I'd show what I've done so far. This is my weekend/track day car and my speakers were blown, so I decided to ditch the radio and remove the speakers. I've always wanted the important gauges, water temp, oil temp, and oil press. Accurate ones that is.

I used .025" aluminum that I got at Lowe's and made a panel that I think will look pretty good once the gauges are in.

I can't decide what I want to do for paint. I'm thinking either gloss black or a textured black paint. I think I have a can of it sitting around here somewhere. Almost like bed liner, just not quite as extreme.

Pics of my panel (don't laugh, my first time fabricating anything)...

Looks clean to me, great first fab job.

The only gauge work I ever did was putting a Defi Heads Up Display on a 1998 Hyundai Accent (manual with NO TACH!) It was kinda nice but GM now makes better HUDs on some stock cars. I can't give up my radio so I have to either go windsheild post mount or DIN 3 gauge where the stock radio is twice as big as the aftermarkets. You will have the radio under the gauges in the stock radios space. I am leaning toward the windsheild pods for Air:Fuel and Boost because I don't like looking down while I'm racing.

[DynoTomSeattle]

You can also consider using vinyl or leather rather then painting, that's what I did around my radio area when I went with my Pioneer, looks pretty nice, I went with Charcoal Gray leather, was easy, just mounted radio and then fit the leather, I used with light coat of glue to adhere... just an idea?

[Steve91T]

I've actually got a can of black rubber coating. It's pretty cool stuff that's really tough to scratch. It's almost like a plastic. Has a textured look.

I didn't even think about the leather. Where'd you get it? From an upholstery shop?

Thanks for the idea. The gauges should be in by early next week or so. I'll post pics of the final product.

Steve

[95z28onjuice]

Nice job so far. seude is another idea, can get it in a cool color too, but i like that.

[Z28head]

Looks great so far, I can hook you up with leather. I am an aircraft upholsterer. I am redoing my seats and will post pics when they are finished (gray leather with black leather inserts sewn like the stock 1997's

[Blown1993Z28]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

I've actually got a can of black rubber coating. It's pretty cool stuff that's really tough to scratch. It's almost like a plastic. Has a textured look.

I didn't even think about the leather. Where'd you get it? From an upholstery shop?

Thanks for the idea. The gauges should be in by early next week or so. I'll post pics of the final product.

Steve

If you feel like making an extra panel I can try to Anodize the Aluminum purple for free (you pay shipping only). I spent $500 setting up an Anodizing kit but have only done my Supercharger cover so far. Some Aluminum Alloys come out MINT, some not so nice. Take a look at the kit I got;
Anodizing Aluminum Rims and LT1 Parts

[Steve91T]

So, my fiance' drags me kicking and screaming to a fabric store to get stuff for our halloween costumes. Since we were there, I looked around and found some black vinyl. for $4. I think it's going to look pretty good! My gauges showed up yesterday, so I'll probably get to work tomorrow.

Steve

[Steve91T]

It's getting there. I love the black vinyl. Just have to hook up the senders.

[Blown1993Z28]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

It's getting there. I love the black vinyl. Just have to hook up the senders.

That came out real nice, almost looks OEM!. Are you gonna ditch the AC and heating too? I did on a DD and regretted it but for a track car why not?

[Steve91T]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. The only thing I may try to do someday is make another panel, but this time angle the gauges towards the driver just a little for slightly better viewing.

I just found out that they sent me the wrong adapter for the oil press and temp. I'm going to have to wait for them to send me another one. Customer service is great though. I'm going to go install my temp sender. Hopefully I won't loose too much coolant.

I'll post better pics later.

Oh, I'm definitely keeping my heating and AC. I don't do enough track days to justify it. It's still my weekend car and I need all that good stuff!

Steve

[Blown1993Z28]

Originally Posted by Steve91T

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. The only thing I may try to do someday is make another panel, but this time angle the gauges towards the driver just a little for slightly better viewing.
Steve

I wasn't going to say it but I like my old (1993) "!#*!#*!#*!#*pit" style setup. The radio and stuff come angled toward the driver. Screw the passanger! Were listening to what I want!

Again nice work!

Did they censor !#*!#*!#*!#*pit? Well then "flightdeck"

[Steve91T]

Haha... !#*!#*!#*!#*pit

That's funny!

I don't remember what the 93 looks like. Have a picture?

Steve