plasma glow gauge faces

[nando]

I'm assuming you'd get the OEM looking white/red ones, not the gay ricer blue ones. :p

[E30Nova]

what's his name?

DJ Genius.

Here's one of his install threads:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1273847&highlight=plasma+gauge

It's an E36 thread, but there's pics of an E30 somewhere in one of his threads. I'm lazy so I just did a quick search. ;)

[Supadave]

I just put these in my car, the look great... the only thing is they are a differnt color amber, and the needles dont light. I'm thinking of a way to mod this

[DaveSmed]

Man, an 8k tach would be nice. Especially paired up with the oil temp overlay, that way there are no ill effects from the M5 coding plug.

[Supadave]

These guys are working on something http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10182

[2002maniac]

I like this

[nando]

These guys are working on something http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10182

eh, I want an 8k tach with the original sweep of the stock tach. Basically an M3 tach face, but with the "OEM" look glow face (because I'm tired of dim gauges). I happen to like the MPG gauge, at least when I'm in fuel economy mode.

I'm wondering how hard it would be to adapt E36 tach needles to the E30 cluster? looks like it uses light pipes similar to the E30 fiber optics in the HVAC controls.

[Gooch]

Anyone else getting a database error trying to get onto M42 club? Wanted to look at something earlier today, got the error and just tried that link and same thing.

[E30Nova]

eh, I want an 8k tach with the original sweep of the stock tach. Basically an M3 tach face, but with the "OEM" look glow face (because I'm tired of dim gauges). I happen to like the MPG gauge, at least when I'm in fuel economy mode.

I'm wondering how hard it would be to adapt E36 tach needles to the E30 cluster? looks like it uses light pipes similar to the E30 fiber optics in the HVAC controls.

I've read of people doing it but I've never seen pictures at night or a write up or anything. I planned on doing it before I wrecked the car.

[nando]

I got them put in on saturday - pretty happy with how they turned out. They aren't perfect - I wish you didn't have to glue them over the stock faces, but they have a huge opening for putting them over the needles. I was removing the needles to replace them with E36 lighted needles anyway. I used double sided tape to put them on - at least then I had a chance of removing them if I didn't like it. However, I was pretty happy with how they look, especially lighted up. They aren't really "white" at all, they match the E30 interior pretty perfectly.

pics:




No lighted ones yet, I think I broke both backlighted bulbs so only the glow gauges are working, but I'll get those fixed soon.

One thing I learned while swapping E36 needles - the E36 and E30 cluster motors are basically the same (VDO, at least). I accidentally broke the MPG and tacho motors (not totally broken, but the spring tensioned gear popped free and the spring unwound). Since I had a full E36 cluster to part out, I actually used the E36 motors for the tacho and MPG gauge. Some soldering required, but they work - and I perceive they are a little smoother as well.

I also need to readjust the fuel gauge needle and the speedo - they both read a bit low. the fuel gauge is about 1/8th tank low, and the speedo about 3mph low.

needles are "painted" with a red sharpie.

[riverdale21]

Want installed pictures lit up.

[nando]

as soon as I fix the stock backlights. also going to adjust the needles while I'm in there. But I'm very happy with it so far - it's a good upgrade that still looks stock. Basically it takes the stock E30 cluster and brings it forward 20 years. :D

[lga714]

haha you have a wiping problem :giggle:

[N2MYE30]

I do like the red km/h change. In for night time pix.

Thanks for taking one for the team. :up:

[nando]

haha you have a wiping problem :giggle:

yeah, it's called a 15 month old boy :p