Kick A$$ Gauge Placement

[SoCalS14]

I am not sure how many of you have heard of racepods.com, but I just received the piece I ordered...All I have to say is that it rocks.

Note, that below the gauges on the left, a slot has been made for my Greddy Profec BC, and the OEM buttons have been shifted to the right (hazard and defrost).

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_25.jpg

Here are the pics I promised...Flame if you want, but I couldn't be happier...It was a snap to intsall.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_26.jpg

Switched to a Nismo wheel as well...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_27.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_28.jpg

[S14DB]

Kick ass! how much? Their site is spartan.

[SoCalS14]

The price really depends on the amount of fabrication required. Just email the desired config...try to send a drawing or edited pic...Robert is good about replying.

[SaintlyCharBoy]

does the texture after they mod it actually match the rest of the trim, or does it look significantly different?

[SilviaDriver]

i was wondering the same thing, it looks kinda rough in the picture

[nigel1]

wheres your climate control?

[TheTimanator]

http://www.racepods.com/images/gallery/Radar1.JPG thats pretty sweet.

[Dousan_PG]

wow that is pretty cool
but i like mine in the dash more
and what size fits in that? 52?
they dont make defi bf in 52mm!!!

[BoroBoroS13]

thats bad ass dude.

[SoCalS14]

they are 52mm, but I do not see why the same cannot be done with 60mm, but you would have to ask. AS far as the texture, yes it is ruff, but its clean and well done. I am having the lower bezel done as well, for more uniform look. More pics to come!

oh yea, climate control will go under stereo...

[nismo2491]

that v1 mount is hot stuff too. I switch my v1 between cars too often to do that
KEvin

[ThatGuy]

Non-textured would add a more OEM look. That's my only complaint. Other then that, it looks awesome!

[CKAMC]

pfft gauges... rather have a blitz R-VIT unit and put a platic cover that has a lock on it to hide and keep my stuff safe...gauges just seem so ricey to me

[Dousan_PG]

pfft gauges... rather have a blitz R-VIT unit and put a platic cover that has a lock on it to hide and keep my stuff safe...gauges just seem so ricey to me


easy to say
but when you own some nice gauges, you wont be thinking that way.

[NI_YON_Zenki]

Yeah, I think it would sit better in my car overall, congrats on the setup. . .

[nismo2491]

gauges are good when your racing its a quick glance thing
KEvin

[Dutchmalmiss]

any things like this made for s13's?

[TheTimanator]

any things like this made for s13's?
it's all custom. You can have something similar done if you want. Guessing that they haven't done anything for an S13 yet thats why theres no pics.

Anybody know where they're located?

[projectRDM]

They do the same stuff I did in my car. It's hilarious that people are willing to pay for that kind of work when a few hours and tools yield the same results.

Hell, for $5 less than they charge, send your panels to me, I'll do it. And the panels in my car look WAY more OEM than that rough finished crap.

[badboy6686]

They do the same stuff I did in my car. It's hilarious that people are willing to pay for that kind of work when a few hours and tools yield the same results.

Hell, for $5 less than they charge, send your panels to me, I'll do it. And the panels in my car look WAY more OEM than that rough finished crap.


pics?

678910

[Y3llowS14]

I did something very similar to that, but I fiberglassed and molded in some angled holders instead. Paint was a glossy black from leftover paint. Total cost was like $15 bucks. Ill get some pictures during the weekend.

[orion::S14]

pics?

Cut-and-paste from FreshAlloy "BASIC 240SX" forum:

"http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/projectRDM (http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/projectRDM/projectRDM/ps/ALBUM/VIEWWEBSITE?foneblog=1107284642731)

To answer the questions about the various parts...

The gauge cluster trim was remolded to accept the cruise main switch on the left side, the Pivot fan controller was then fitted to the right side, replacing the cruise switch. All I really did was cut the recess out and weld it in place, then sand the seams out. For the fan controller, a raw piece was used to fill the opening then I went back and cut it out to accept the unit. Several hours of filing got it just right.

The center console was molded to delete the ebrake handle completely, additionally the rear slot behind the dimmer switch was molded in completely. That was an afterthought and I'm not happy with it, but haven't finished it. The ebrake hole was actually filled years ago on the old car with fiberglass, but I could do it again easier, quicker, and lighter with ABS now that I've got the method down.

The shifter trim now has the ambient temp sensor for the climate control molded into it. That was easy, cut, weld, finish.

The B/C pillars no longer have holes for the rear seatbelts, and the luggage hooks have been deleted. Also, the small holes below the front seatbelt anchor have been filled in. Same technique.

The upper dash is not finished either, but the turbo timer and EVC will be molded in also. I had a finished piece but it met an untimely end, I picked up the JDM one instead so I could have the business card holder. It will be easier to do this time because there's no textured finish to sand off.

The passenger airbag spot will be fully molded in soon, I'm building a triple pod to overlay on top of the panel to recess the gauges in flush. It's the most challenging piece so it's taking the longest. I may also build a similiar piece to cover the MDM in the center of the dash, don't know yet.

Only other thing I plan on is to mold in the slot for the rear seatbelt in the lower quarter panel (back edge), and maybe mold in a pocket somehow, similiar to the S15's rear panels or like some honda/mitsubishis have. There's just too much room behind the panel to not take advantage of it. The Apillars have been drilled to accept UK/JDM grab handles as well, but I don't know how they'll work yet and I may have to mold in some material around the bases to make it look finished.

The audio trim panel is just a raw piece of ABS, cut and shaped to replicate the OE piece..." - Russ

- - - - - -

- Brian

[meme]

more pics please; r240sx & yellow

i have the same setup just not as clean.hehe . i just made 3 holes to fit 3 60mm gauges. and 2 inserts to fill in the area between the gauges. over the last summer the panel started to crack.
so i want to redo it the right way.

[SoCalS14]

They do the same stuff I did in my car. It's hilarious that people are willing to pay for that kind of work when a few hours and tools yield the same results.

Hell, for $5 less than they charge, send your panels to me, I'll do it. And the panels in my car look WAY more OEM than that rough finished crap.


Willing to pay because I do not have the skills, nor the time, to do this myself. It just shows up at the door...Plug and play. Its convenient, period.

Post up your panels tough guy...Let see them.... :mepoke:

The finish is different, maybe a bit more textured than stock, but that does equal crap. It equals different. To each there own.

WE have ALL seen crap...we often use the term "rice" when we see it or outright know it poor taste. This setup is functional, well done, and true craftsmanship. Puts all my intsumentation at a glance. Gauges are for ACCURATE knowledge of the current status of your engine vitals. If thats rice, then your just a hater.

The funny thing about your hating (R240NA) is that if you HAD done my gauges and I posted them up, somone would be hating on your job.

oh yea, who said I was going for a strict OEM look? Its not like I have an OEM car...

I love this board.

[projectRDM]

Willing to pay because I do not have the skills, nor the time, to do this myself. It just shows up at the door...Plug and play. Its convenient, period.

Post up your panels tough guy...Let see them.... :mepoke:

The finish is different, maybe a bit more textured than stock, but that does equal crap. It equals different. To each there own.

WE have ALL seen crap...we often use the term "rice" when we see it or outright know it poor taste. This setup is functional, well done, and true craftsmanship. Puts all my intsumentation at a glance. Gauges are for ACCURATE knowledge of the current status of your engine vitals. If thats rice, then your just a hater.

The funny thing about your hating (R240NA) is that if you HAD done my gauges and I posted them up, somone would be hating on your job.

oh yea, who said I was going for a strict OEM look? Its not like I have an OEM car...

I love this board.

Brian posted a link to my car above, and I'd like to apologize for the rash nature of my post. I was drunk as hell last night and looking for an out.
They do nice work and I'm not condemning them for it, I guess it's more of a surprise to see someone else putting the effort forth, especially to resale to the general public that usually balks at paying a premium for this type of work. And true, other people could easily hate what I do in my own car, unfortunately it's the internet and there's always those who want to fight. To the owner of racepods, hope you can turn a good enough profit to keep it going. I know I wouldn't bother just because people always want more than they can afford and are never happy with the results when they force you to cut corners.

[justinhustle]

r20 - nice pics

you basically added everything the car shouldve came with...

however thats all stuff i wouldnt ever pay to have done, id do if i was bored or something. :)

[the head]

how did you get the texture right on the pillars and console?

[SpoolinSr20]

Racepods is building me a piece for 2 60mm guages in the A/C Vents..

[projectRDM]

r20 - nice pics

you basically added everything the car shouldve came with...

however thats all stuff i wouldnt ever pay to have done, id do if i was bored or something. :)


I do get bored, that's why I put it all in. Besides, if I wasn't doing this I'd be out breaking the law or something crazy. Right? :coolugh:


head- I used SEM Texture Coat spray, if you read my post on FA I describe the method and technique somewhat, but it's more just practice to get it right.

[IAM_SO_sLOw]

hmm can i get a link to your post or is it the one thats already in here?

[projectRDM]

hmm can i get a link to your post or is it the one thats already in here?

That's it up there.

[SoCalS14]

R240NA, I like what you did inside the center box...I need a coin holder! And is that two cd players, or am I missing something? Eitherway, I would say that your coating does approximate the OEM much better...

NICE WORK.

[justinhustle]

its an indash 6 disc changer

[projectRDM]

R240NA, I like what you did inside the center box...I need a coin holder! And is that two cd players, or am I missing something? Eitherway, I would say that your coating does approximate the OEM much better...

NICE WORK.

Ya, indash 6disc, OE add-on, controlled by the AM/FM CD.

The coin holder is from a Buick, seems all late model GM cars come with one in the center console, I nabbed it at a dealer a few years ago.

[tastyratz]

r240na, what you did to your interior leaves me nearly speechless. thats INSANE how well you pulled everything off. it must have been alot of work doing all that! really cool man.... good job

[frozencoconutz]

good job r240, i was wondering where that 'how-to' post was...i tried to look on FA but i couldnt find it...ive been experimenting with interiors and i need some tips with texturing. thanks dude

[DriftDragon28]

sweet guages. I love the look. If the price was right then who cares who made it. I love them.

[Inland180]

panel looks pretty good!

[RBS14]

molding is cool and all I guess. But got rid of ebrake? 8000k HID for headlights and fogs? hahahahaha

[projectRDM]

molding is cool and all I guess. But got rid of ebrake? 8000k HID for headlights and fogs? hahahahaha


Don't need an ebrake with Z32 rear.

Guy I buy the kits from was out of 4300K bulbs, he sent the 8000s for temporary use until he gets the correct ones in stock. Figured I'd list it for now so I didn't have to answer questions about them. But I appreciate your concern.

[RBS14]

good to hear.

[IAM_SO_sLOw]

i was wondering where do you get SEM texture coat and what did you use to mold the parts?

[ootranceformeroo]

Just wondering what headlights these are.

http://www.t-mobilepictures.com/photos/photo02/ca/6e/081ca991f479.jpg?_rh=23rm2zgt4qzwjle6hkbfw1zd4

[MrSkinny]

ecode. meaning european. aka. german

[projectRDM]

i was wondering where do you get SEM texture coat and what did you use to mold the parts?


Read the thread in FA, I typed all the info you'll need.

[SoCalS14]

Update and pics...

All done...


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_26.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_27.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/541000-541999/541422_28.jpg