AFR Guage - Where should I put it?

[uofom3]

I like this idea.

If you cut the vent so the gauge fit properly it would look better.





Hunter

I think that is what I'm going to do.

Chris did it previously, so I will give him credit for the idea.

[Mtriple]

I'm in the same boat and I'm leaning towards placing it where the OBC resides. It's either that or make something out of the center vent...

[cramer]

No need to give me credit, I borrowed the idea from the B5 vent Boost gauges ;)

Lots of trial and error and trimming involved, it's a tight fit to get the guage mounted in the vent then back into the dash :)



How's the rest of the Alpha N install going?

[uofom3]

No need to give me credit, I borrowed the idea from the B5 vent Boost gauges ;)

Lots of trial and error and trimming involved, it's a tight fit to get the guage mounted in the vent then back into the dash :)



How's the rest of the Alpha N install going?

Perfect - that's what I'm going to do.... how many vents did you go through for trial and error?? just out of curiosity as I might need to order a couple of more so that I can have another one if I royal eff it up. what did you cut it with?? any tips?

It's in and it runs... I'm just buttoning it up so I can start tuning.

[cramer]

I'm usually a measure once, cut twice guy ;), but in this case I actually took it slow and didn't need any extra vents (I had 2 just in case).

The issue is the way the vent mounts, it's suppose to flip all the way down then slide forward and out.... however that isn't possible with a gauge stuck in there. My solution was to shave the vent down so it would slide straight in, no rotation necessary. That way the guage can be mounted easily in the vent first, then the vent slid into the dash.

I wish I took some more pictures of the process, but it was a long drawn out process with lots of frustration ;)

[uofom3]

I'm usually a measure once, cut twice guy ;), but in this case I actually took it slow and didn't need any extra vents (I had 2 just in case).

The issue is the way the vent mounts, it's suppose to flip all the way down then slide forward and out.... however that isn't possible with a gauge stuck in there. My solution was to shave the vent down so it would slide straight in, no rotation necessary. That way the guage can be mounted easily in the vent first, then the vent slid into the dash.

I wish I took some more pictures of the process, but it was a long drawn out process with lots of frustration ;)

sounds like it should be a good time then!

I'm also usually a measure once cut twice guy as well - that's why I asked ;)

Thanks for the info. I assume that you just ran the wire back down through the back of the dash and up to the connector from the LC1.... did you also use something to block off the vent or did you simple shut the vent with the control on the front of the dash?

Finally - what did you cut it with?

Thanks again Chris.

[cramer]

I just used my dremel with the cut off wheel and a small file to clean up the cuts.

I am running the vent closed and I popped a hole in the bottom and ran the wires out behind the radio to the glove box (to the Alpha N by the ECU).

I spent way too much time trying to get the dual vent holder out of the dash... it would not come out. So this was all assembled in the car with only 1 vent removed. I'll see if I can't get the vent out and take some pictures of the back side for you. I just remember it being a very tight, PITA fit for the wiring so I'll see how much slack I have to pull the vent out ;)

[uofom3]

I just used my dremel with the cut off wheel and a small file to clean up the cuts.

I am running the vent closed and I popped a hole in the bottom and ran the wires out behind the radio to the glove box (to the Alpha N by the ECU).

I spent way too much time trying to get the dual vent holder out of the dash... it would not come out. So this was all assembled in the car with only 1 vent removed. I'll see if I can't get the vent out and take some pictures of the back side for you. I just remember it being a very tight, PITA fit for the wiring so I'll see how much slack I have to pull the vent out ;)

Thank you sir! I really appreciate the help.

[TwoJ's]

Cramer, that looks great. Nice work.

[uofom3]

Did it... horrible lighting but it's flush, looks factory, and works great!

[uofom3]

Damn, I just realized how out of focus that shit was... but you get the idea.

[cramer]

Nice, looks great! I take it you didn't have to many issues :)

[uofom3]

Nice, looks great! I take it you didn't have to many issues :)

Thanks! Nope, no real issues. I do still need to get a backing plate to make it more solid; how did you solve that? Right now it pops snugly in place. The whole thing took about 1.5 hrs to complete.

[eshghehBMW]

hmm I dono...I would of probably put it on the door side vent

[cramer]

Thanks! Nope, no real issues. I do still need to get a backing plate to make it more solid; how did you solve that? Right now it pops snugly in place. The whole thing took about 1.5 hrs to complete.

Nice, much quicker then I!

I used the supplied studs/nuts and a modified support bar. I still need to see if I can get the vent back out easily and I'll grab you a picture of it.