daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

im looking for more info on puting after market gauges in a firebird. ive seen time and time agian gauges in camaros, but what about firebirds? i havent seen much....

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

where is everyone?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

I only have an apillar pod with water temp and oil pressure.



I think it was Karps TA that replaced every guage with an aftermarket autometer and cut out the right two pods to fit four of the smaller 2 1/16" guages. He put a black filler panel around them. While I think he did a good job, I just couldn't stand that look. I had thought about just replacing my speedo and tach with matching carbon fiber ultralight series guages but I'll probably just end up swapping in a 4thgen dash.

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

It can be done. Just need to be creative. I got tired of my old design and have started a new panel. Should have pics of it in a week or so, just waiting on some things to come in.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

If yours blended into the stock dash (texture/colorwise) I would've copied it immediately. That was my only qualm.

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

yeah i was defenatly thinking to go with the in-dash 5" tach and speedo, but as for the others, i didnt know what layout i liked better...

...and like iansane stated, it would be cool if the layout/style kinda mimiced the stock style. like maybe red-backlite gauges?!? that'd be cool.

what about wiring.... mines a 92, so would i have to rewire everything? or ya think i can get away with using the stock wiring, and sending units?

what do you guys think of that new 4 in 1 5" gauge autometer just came out with?!?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Those would be great. If they matched the style of the birds. I think the carbon fibre ultra lite's were the only ones that were somewhat similar to took crosshatch pattern.

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Well matching the grain of the plastic is going to be near impossible. You'd either need to make a mold and fiberglass the whole section, or smooth out all the grain and then paint the piece to make it look like all just one piece.

iansane

iTrader: (1)

See, I think I'm just that much of an **** perfectionist. If I can't do it so it blends it and looks good I don't even want to finish it.

Maybe I shouldn't own a thirdgen.

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Trust me I'm a perfectionist. However the stock gauges did not fit my needs either.

Here's a peek at the new idea. And it's real carbon fiber not just a decal lol

Bull

iTrader: (5)

Karp, how much do you want to charge to make me one of those setups in the spring?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Just not my thing I guess. To me there is just too much contrast between the carbon weave and stock guages bezel texture. Looks out of place to me.

Would there be enough room to set all the guages back an inch or so and make a large clear bezel to go over everything? Kind of like 4thgens?

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Probably if thats what your after. I don't like the stock look. If I wanted that I would have just got the inlays and covered the stock gauges. That would have been about $600 cheaper and a helluva lot easier. lol

The top of my console as well as the radio plate is also being done in CF, so the look will blend in throughout.

Again I'm just showing that it can be done, but you need to be creative and willing to get your hands dirty.

johnnyq5021

Karp, are those 5" guages in there

GTA91

iTrader: (1)

Karp that looks pretty good... if I did that I think I'd just put a plain smooth panel in the rear where you have CF and then sand the grain smooth on the rest of the OEM panel... the paint it all black with silver gages like you have... that would look sweet!

*How hard was the wiring??

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

That was my original thought. However it then means you have to sand everything else on the dash smooth. Which didn't appeal to me.

And that isn't finished. It's like I said a sneak peek. It's mostly just mocked up at this point.

Gauges are 5" and 2 1/16"

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

karps, i think it looks good. very similar to what i had in mind. but is there a piece of plastic sheet that mimics the same texture of our dash in place of the carbon fiber?

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Not that I can find.

Other option is sanding the whole damn thing smooth.

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

i like that.

problem would be is id have to sand all the dash panels and paint all of them. hopfully it wouldnt look like some teenagers' honda! haha

where did you get the plastic to put in place of the 4 holes?
does that one piece support the gauges? or do you hae some sort of support behind it?

GTA91

iTrader: (1)

That is HOT!!!!

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Some finished pics. Sorry for the poor quality.

GTA91

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, definately sweet! How much you got in it?? $500? What is the gage backplate made out of?

iansane

iTrader: (1)

Now that looks a million times better. Blends in perfectly and can hardly see the separation line. Good job. That guage setup was really the only thing about your car I didn't like.

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

The gauges themselves were probably around $500 so yeah somewhere around that. I filled in the original holes with ABS plastic that was about the same thickness. Then epoxyed behind that a thicker sheet of ABS. The panel itself is pretty stout.

GTA91

iTrader: (1)

Sounds cool. Any more pics of your car??

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

Sure.




more here http://home.wi.rr.com/karpsta/Trans%20Am%20Pics/

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

This is probably a useless post... but..

I am in process of designing custom overlays that light up red. I can't disclose anymore, but I guarantee they will kick ***!

Look for me posting here with the final product in few weeks.

Laters.



P.S> As of now I have the indiglo white faced gauges and I don't like them.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Looks just the way I did mine. I like it

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

you guys wanna share with me what marterials you used?!