E46 M3 cluster swap

[nando]

MSS54 or MSS52, yeah. I don't know how different the M5 cluster is but it's got to be pretty similar given you can flash an MSS52 to MSS54 and vice versa.

it's a lot of work. it would be easier in some ways if you just transferred all the wiring and electronics from an E46, but I wanted it to be reversible and 99% plug-in using the E30's existing sensors (other than the engine computer).

today I picked up a drill bit for acrylic and some transparent acrylic cement, plus some putty for the rest of the cluster body. I actually made a 4th attempt at forming a cluster face but I was in a rush and it didn't get hot enough, so it was a total fail.. I still want to give it one more go!

[nando]

drilled the holes for the trip reset & clock:


also fixed the crack in the corner. I have to make the holes a little bigger as they're not quite large enough for the pegs to move without binding, but that's no biggie. Next week I think I'm going to glue the housing all together.

[LJ851]

Man, that really looks nice. Well done.

[gazellebeigem3]

Awesome work man!

[Wh33lhop]

Sexy. Very nice work man. Now I want to see it hooked up to its native engine, driving the tach needle into the general red area spinning all four wheels.

[AndrewBird]

Sexy. Very nice work man. Now I want to see it hooked up to its native engine, driving the tach needle into the general red area spinning all four wheels.

This.

DO IT NOW!

[nando]

Lol, i'll leave the snow tires on and bounce the limiter with my m20 for ya :p

[LJ851]

Lol, i'll leave the snow tires on and bounce the limiter with my m20 for ya :p

LOL, snow tires make the best howl. Get good audio.

[nando]

Worked on it a bit today, started gluing the face together:




Finished the lense... you can't even see it looking straight on:



Once this is dry, I'll glue it to the main housing, then paint it. Maybe I'll actually get it into the car this year!

[dude8383]

Man, that looks good!

[delatlanta1281]

Looks awesome!

[nando]

bam:




bad pics, I know.. but it's done. After I finish wiring it up internally, I'll start testing it in the car. :D

[golde30]

Looks awesome.

[Jand3rson]

That looks incredible, Chris. Really incredible, I'm beyond impressed. Doesn't even look like it's combined, only people who know E30 clusters would know it's not stock.

[UNHCLL]

Awesome work Chris!