Oil gauge install - 2003 SP20

Orion · 02-12-2007, 06:16 PM

Hey everyone,

I have recently completed a little project of mine that I have been doing on & off for the last 6 months or so. I wanted to get a better idea of what my engine was doing as the car is continually undergoing modifications and is being taken further away from factory operating specs. Therefore, I decided that I wanted to put oil pressure and temperature gauges into the car, just to get a bit of additional feedback on how things are performing.

Just so you don’t lose interest, I will show you the finished product:
http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-0.html
http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-1.html
http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-2.html

So, as you can see, I didn’t want to use a single din gauge holder in the radio space or have gauges on the A-pillar or on the steering column. After a few careful calculations, I worked out that I could fit two gauges in one of the central airvents – although I would have to relocate the hazard light switch in order to accommodate it.

After chasing around a few places locally I eventually found Alan Mears in Perth that was willing to have a go at making modding a radio surround to suit my needs. The end product was very good. Care and attention was paid during this part as he even took the whole thing apart halfway through because he could see a crack in the paint where the gauges holders met the console. A big thank-you goes to Alan for helping me out with this as I could not have completed the project without his custom piece.

The gauges that I ended up getting were Autometer Ultra-lite II full-sweep electric gauges. The sensors for these gauges are connected to a remote oil filter relocation kit that I did at the same time as I installed the gauges. I have wired up the gauges to turn on when the full headlights are being used. For some reason, when I turn on the high beams, the gauges don’t stay lit – I will try to sort this out soon.

Enjoy guys. Please post comments and/or questions. Cheers.

zappy65 · 02-12-2007, 06:32 PM

those gauges look good, ive just bought the Cobalt series gauges for my beast they go well with the custom gauge cluster and are very accurate,,,,

Cincinnatus · 02-12-2007, 06:42 PM

very very very factory looking. Cudos buddy. Get a little hot in the car without the drivers vent?

Orion · 02-12-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinncinatus

very very very factory looking. Cudos buddy. Get a little hot in the car without the drivers vent?

Nah, doesn't really get hot. I don't use air-conditioning all that much I still have the vent on door side of the dash. Also, the passenger swings around enough to blow air on me if I really need it. The passenger vent also blows twice as hard now due to the other being blocked off.

marcs_sp20 · 02-12-2007, 08:15 PM

looks very stock, i quite like the look myself, so whereabouts did u locate the hazard light to?? Im thinking of putting some guages in the single din under the cd player of my car to give it that "race" look

Marc

Orion · 02-12-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcs_sp20

so whereabouts did u locate the hazard light to??

Marc

The hazard light switch has gone where the ashtray is located. I will get another photo and update the first post. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do that tomorrow.

Rupewrecht · 02-12-2007, 10:42 PM

Looks really good! Well done.

Dogo · 03-12-2007, 10:24 AM

verr nice.

but its time for a new stereo!

Orion · 03-12-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogo

verr nice.

but its time for a new stereo!

Thanks. I am looking at getting a new head unit but engine management has to come first.

For the head unit though, I would love one of these:
www.gizmosis.com.au

Protege03 · 03-12-2007, 11:43 AM

how did u get the stereo surround off? how did u disconnect the climate controls??

project.r.racing · 03-12-2007, 11:48 AM

hey that's very cool... as said before, looks very standard.

hazard light is a safety feature of the car. removing it or just moving it requires a mod plate...
otherwise you could get a defect notice. but i doubt any DOT or police would know the wiser.

ryan

chicaboo · 03-12-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protege03

how did u get the stereo surround off? how did u disconnect the climate controls??

It's much easier on an SP20 with climate control, they don't have the 3 cables running under the dash to all the vents, just wires you unplug.

For the 1.8 BJ you remove the glovebox by squeezing the back vertical walls inward, which lets you open the glovebox alot more. You then pull one side only (dash side I think?) toward the back of the car, and then slide the other side away from the door or console, and then your glovebox is out. Now you can reach the long cable up against the firewall. Remove the U shaped piece under the steering wheel by doing much the same. Now you can get to the 2 cables on the right of the centre console. To remove the stereo surround you tilt the airvents in their most downward position, and then grab onto the bottom part of the airvent holes like handles and pull until the top of the surround comes free, then it should all wiggle off. Be sure to watch how the 3 cables come out with the surround. They will fling around and try to whip you too...

Gav.

Protege03 · 03-12-2007, 12:11 PM

thank you gav!! u know everything..

arden · 03-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Very nicely done mate, i like it!

marcs_sp20 · 03-12-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

For the head unit though, I would love one of these:
www.gizmosis.com.au

lol, i like the choice of head unit, jus not up to paying the $3000 price tag that comes with it

with myself not really being the "hands on" kind of guy, im thinking of just getting the single din insert so i can have 3 guages..

Just jap has these with the 3 guages for like $175...

Marc

chicaboo · 03-12-2007, 11:18 PM

Autogauge are total crapé. Why not just get 3 Speco gauges with the tripple gauge din plate?

Gav.

marcs_sp20 · 03-12-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicaboo

Autogauge are total crapé. Why not just get 3 Speco gauges with the tripple gauge din plate?

Gav.

Still umming and arring to get speco or the drift ones that go black that u can get at autobarn for pure riceness

The din plates themselves are around $20, might have to do some looking on ebay me thinks

Orion · 03-12-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcs_sp20

Still umming and arring to get speco or the drift ones that go black that u can get at autobarn for pure riceness

The din plates themselves are around $20, might have to do some looking on ebay me thinks

You could also check out ProSport gauges:
www.prosportgauges.com

There are heaps of threads abouth them on mazdas247.com

bourbon · 04-12-2007, 11:26 AM

ive got the cheap copies of the prosport guages...and they seem to be goood

no issues with them...

DavoAust · 04-12-2007, 03:33 PM

those the ones from autobarn bourbs?

02-12-2007, 06:16 PM	#1
Orion SP20 Member! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Car: Mazda SP20 sedan Posts: 1,769 View Photos By: Orion	Oil gauge install - 2003 SP20 Hey everyone, I have recently completed a little project of mine that I have been doing on & off for the last 6 months or so. I wanted to get a better idea of what my engine was doing as the car is continually undergoing modifications and is being taken further away from factory operating specs. Therefore, I decided that I wanted to put oil pressure and temperature gauges into the car, just to get a bit of additional feedback on how things are performing. Just so you don’t lose interest, I will show you the finished product: http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-0.html http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-1.html http://www.shutter7.com/coppermine/d...age-762-2.html So, as you can see, I didn’t want to use a single din gauge holder in the radio space or have gauges on the A-pillar or on the steering column. After a few careful calculations, I worked out that I could fit two gauges in one of the central airvents – although I would have to relocate the hazard light switch in order to accommodate it. After chasing around a few places locally I eventually found Alan Mears in Perth that was willing to have a go at making modding a radio surround to suit my needs. The end product was very good. Care and attention was paid during this part as he even took the whole thing apart halfway through because he could see a crack in the paint where the gauges holders met the console. A big thank-you goes to Alan for helping me out with this as I could not have completed the project without his custom piece. The gauges that I ended up getting were Autometer Ultra-lite II full-sweep electric gauges. The sensors for these gauges are connected to a remote oil filter relocation kit that I did at the same time as I installed the gauges. I have wired up the gauges to turn on when the full headlights are being used. For some reason, when I turn on the high beams, the gauges don’t stay lit – I will try to sort this out soon. Enjoy guys. Please post comments and/or questions. Cheers. Last edited by Orion; 02-12-2007 at 06:22 PM.

02-12-2007, 06:32 PM	#2
zappy65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Brissy Car: Old: 1989 DOHC Mazda 323 New: Nissan 180SX Type X Posts: 2,135 View Photos By: zappy65	those gauges look good, ive just bought the Cobalt series gauges for my beast they go well with the custom gauge cluster and are very accurate,,,, __________________ Today you will die and then you will know what it feels like to live... Straights Are For Fast Cars, Corners Are For Fast Drivers: Colin McRae Visit My Ride: http://www.astinagt.com/forums/vbpic...?do=view&g=319 Come see my deviantness....hehe http://dawnblade.deviantart.com/

02-12-2007, 06:42 PM	#3
Cincinnatus Nate Dog Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney Car: Dah! Posts: 539 View Photos By: Cincinnatus	very very very factory looking. Cudos buddy. Get a little hot in the car without the drivers vent? __________________ "and history shall tremble at the name, Sydney Applebaum!!!" "love between two people is a wonderfull thing, between three it's fantastic"

02-12-2007, 08:15 PM	#5
marcs_sp20 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Car: 2002 Mazda Astina SP20 2006 Mazda 6 GY Wagon Posts: 9,769 View Photos By: marcs_sp20	looks very stock, i quite like the look myself, so whereabouts did u locate the hazard light to?? Im thinking of putting some guages in the single din under the cd player of my car to give it that "race" look Marc __________________

02-12-2007, 10:42 PM	#7
Rupewrecht Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: melb.vic.au Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle Posts: 16,525 View Photos By: Rupewrecht	Looks really good! Well done. __________________ jdmparts.rupewrecht.com Sourcing your not-quite-overnight parts from Japan WRECHT--\|--SLOWTEGE--\|--BEETLE--\|--SUBSTITUTE--\|--AZ-1

03-12-2007, 10:24 AM	#8
Dogo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Melb, Aus Car: Mazda 323 BA BPT transplant Posts: 3,459 View Photos By: Dogo	verr nice. but its time for a new stereo! __________________ [ Turbo BA ] see my readers ride

03-12-2007, 11:43 AM	#10
Protege03 AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sutherland Shire, Sydney Car: Mazda 323 Protege 03 Posts: 308 View Photos By: Protege03	how did u get the stereo surround off? how did u disconnect the climate controls??

03-12-2007, 11:48 AM	#11
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	hey that's very cool... as said before, looks very standard. hazard light is a safety feature of the car. removing it or just moving it requires a mod plate... otherwise you could get a defect notice. but i doubt any DOT or police would know the wiser. ryan

03-12-2007, 12:11 PM	#13
Protege03 AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sutherland Shire, Sydney Car: Mazda 323 Protege 03 Posts: 308 View Photos By: Protege03	thank you gav!! u know everything..

03-12-2007, 12:46 PM	#14
arden Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Car: Suby Posts: 1,280 View Photos By: arden	Very nicely done mate, i like it! __________________

03-12-2007, 11:18 PM	#16
chicaboo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Logan prefecture Car: Touge monster Posts: 7,585	Autogauge are total crapé. Why not just get 3 Speco gauges with the tripple gauge din plate? Gav.

04-12-2007, 11:26 AM	#19
bourbon The Hairy Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: southside ya'll and North Side, Brissy Car: MINI Cooper S 2003 Posts: 8,110	ive got the cheap copies of the prosport guages...and they seem to be goood no issues with them... __________________ For All your crash repair panels & lights, clear lights contact us at PANEL HOUSE 45 RANDALL ST SLACKS CREEK QLD 4127 PHONE : 07 3808 8737 FAX : 07 3808 8735

04-12-2007, 03:33 PM	#20
DavoAust Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Car: Red '93 3000GT / Black '08 Ninja 250R Posts: 2,930 View Photos By: DavoAust	those the ones from autobarn bourbs? __________________ Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you. '97 1.8L Hardtop '93 3.0L TT 3000GT