S15 Cluster Wiring for S13... Advice?

[DreamN]

Well, I've had an S15 cluster laying around just collecting dust. Bought it with the intention of wiring it up, but never got around to it.

Today I got tired of looking at the damn thing and started researching the wiring again. Looking at both FSMs and matching things up it looks light the wiring is pretty straight forward.

Here's what I have now, but I'm not 100% on it. So any advice is welcomed, especially by those who already have a fully functional S15 cluster in their S13s.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/OneDeadLung/S15toS13ClusterWiring-1.png

It'd be great if someone could confirm if my guide is correct, but it's not necessary. Once I have it in the car I'll be able to figure out what is and what isn't working.

What I'm stuck on is of course the speedometer issue. I know I need to use a signal converter and I'll be purchasing a Dakota Digital SGI-5.

Now my question is, with the signal converter do I still need an ABS signal or will it work from my speed sensor? If it won't work with my speed sensor how do I go about acquiring a signal from a non-abs equipped car? I feel that if that were the case my only solution would be to purchase an ABS differential (Yes, I know I'll need the drive shaft as well) with the ABS sensor attached to it (hopefully). However, I'm wondering if it needs to be an S15/S14 differential or will the S13 ABS differential work?

[Om1kron]

hit up Joel, xpertsnowcarver. I know he's been off of the radar for a while now and he's not on facebook either but he's wired up plenty and has a how to somewhere on zilvia for you to perform this, check the faq section.

[DreamN]

First thing I did after I posted up bro. His how to involves him using an S15 helical diff which makes it a lot easier for him. I know there's a how-to for the S14 as well, but it was already ABS equipped.

I haven't been able to find anything on a non-abs equipped s13 and if I'm able to use the stock speed sensor or not. Most of the "How-To" threads also talk about fitment. I got that down already as I have a spare dash to mess with.

Would simply like confirmation/correction on my guide and some advice on the speedometer deal. If no one adds anything then eventually I'll figure it out on my own. No biggie, but it would be nice to simply know what I'll need to get it done the first time.

[MrFairlady]

I'm in for this. I'd love to finish off my car with this cluster. I've got a full s15 rear subframe end with helical diff if you get this working.

[DreamN]

I'll buy your subframe and diff bro? :D

[upsdude]

First thing I did after I posted up bro. His how to involves him using an S15 helical diff which makes it a lot easier for him. I know there's a how-to for the S14 as well, but it was already ABS equipped.


probably the writeup i did...my car didn't have abs...just a jdm lsd from a 180sx :)

joel did the install on my old zenki-non abs like i just said, just happened to have an abs lsd on my car that i put in with a 1pc. driveshaft. i believe someone posted on that same thread how to make a homemade signal converter to get the speedo to work as well if you have a regular open diff.
the dakota box was supposedly all that was needed to convert the signal from the s14 speed sensor to the speedo, but for whatever reason, we couldn't get it to work.

he's been MIA from zilvia but i've txted him recently about redoing this mod on my new s14-he's just busy all the time with work and doesn't get back to anyone right away.

[DreamN]

Already sent him a PM. Looked for him on facebook, but like Wayne said he deleted it.

I'm familiar with your install as well. The issue again is your car was ABS equipped. I remember reading that the signal couldn't be read from your speed sensor and that's why you guys tapped into the ABS sensor.

Though I'm wondering if I'll run into the same issue with my speed sensor, but the bigger question is will I get the right signal from an S13 ABS diff or am I needing something off an S14/S15?

Finding a diff with the sensor might prove to be problematic though.

[DreamN]

probably the writeup i did...my car didn't have abs...just a jdm lsd from a 180sx :)

joel did the install on my old zenki-non abs like i just said, just happened to have an abs lsd on my car that i put in with a 1pc. driveshaft. i believe someone posted on that same thread how to make a homemade signal converter to get the speedo to work as well if you have a regular open diff.
the dakota box was supposedly all that was needed to convert the signal from the s14 speed sensor to the speedo, but for whatever reason, we couldn't get it to work.

he's been MIA from zilvia but i've txted him recently about redoing this mod on my new s14-he's just busy all the time with work and doesn't get back to anyone right away.

Completely missed your post and obviously misread the how to on your s14. I'm now on the look out for an ABS diff. Just hope to find it with the sensor.

Ordered a Dakota Digital SGI-5. Will be updating this in a week or two. Will make corrections to the guide if necessary.

[DreamN]

I should add in case some people may not know, but for the S13 you require to either modify a resistor for the temp gauge to read correctly or install an S14 temp gauge sensor. Quite a bit easier to just install the S14 sensor. ;)

[DreamN]

ABS Diff and Dakota Digital signal converter acquired. Will update in the coming weeks how this all plays out.

[KiLLeR2001]

You could essentially use the stock speed sensor in the transmission with the digital converter. ABS diff is unnecessary. It's all about the conversion rate.

Since you have both setups, it would be wise to test out both:

Method 1: ABS diff. using ABS sensor signal on conversion rate #1.
Method 2: Non-ABS diff using stock speed sensor signal on conversion rate #2.

[DreamN]

You could essentially use the stock speed sensor in the transmission with the digital converter. ABS diff is unnecessary. It's all about the conversion rate.

Since you have both setups, it would be wise to test out both:

Method 1: ABS diff. using ABS sensor signal on conversion rate #1.
Method 2: Non-ABS diff using stock speed sensor signal on conversion rate #2.

Read the s14 install, speed sensor signal was not read by the s15 cluster as the signal from the ABS sensor is completely different. I will try both just to be 100%, but fairly certain that if it didn't read from an s14's vss it won't read from a s13's.

[upsdude]

yeah i don't know why, but we couldn't get the s14 vss/dakota box combo to register a speed signal with the cluster. joel went over the diagram and triple checked his wiring so it's not because he was half-assing the job. if you go back to the thread i posted there was a guy who made a homemade signal converter that he used to work with the s14 vss. i don't know how good you are at making a circuit board but that's another way to go if you can't get a hold of an abs diff.

edit:
just scrolled up and saw you got an abs diff. hope it works out

[KiLLeR2001]

Once you figure out the type of voltages that need to be read into the S15 cluster that represent certain speeds, you would have to custom create a converter that will output the same voltages based on what the VSS sends out.

edit:

Here we go...

http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/164351-s15-cluster-sig-converter.html

[3AM]

actually it doesnt quite work like that its not varying voltages representing speed. its a pulse frequency,
s13 speed sender outputs a sine wave, but the s15 speedo needs a nice clean square wave.

what the signal converter does is convert from sine to a voltage them back to square wave.

[DreamN]

Once you figure out the type of voltages that need to be read into the S15 cluster that represent certain speeds, you would have to custom create a converter that will output the same voltages based on what the VSS sends out.

edit:

Here we go...

http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/164351-s15-cluster-sig-converter.html

Have seen that thread and frankly that is just to troublesome in my opinion. A $80 signal converter and a $60 ABS VLSD is money better spent.

[KiLLeR2001]

Have seen that thread and frankly that is just to troublesome in my opinion. A $80 signal converter and a $60 ABS VLSD is money better spent.

Don't forget about the shorter ABS driveshaft as well. :)

[DreamN]

Standard drive shaft fits fine. ;)

It was the first thing I double checked at the yard.