★★★★George Graves★★★★ Project Blog for e30 Gizmos and Gadgets - 2025 UPDATE

[franco90]

That boost gauge is really slick, I hate extra gauges where they aren't suppose to be.

can you post the pictures

[LovableSheep]

Those cluster ideas look intriguing.

I was thinking a cool thing to try would be removing the SI lights and somehow wiring up a duplicate display for the OBC so that it would be right in the cluster like on the newer cars. I have no idea if it would be remotely possible though.

[SamE30e]

Oh my sweet jesus.

[dkbmxer002]

you sir are honestly amazing....

[deutschman]

m game for both gauges depending in prices. could you pm me prices for both air/fuel and volt? by the way this work really amazes me! id love to support it with some $.

[xLibelle]

everything in a stock cluster has half marks, so copy that.
no marks looks empty (but not that its that bad) and the quarter ticks make it look busy (but almost looking really cool.)

btw, i'll take one of everything as well. :)
Actually, i'm putting megasquirt on my m20 and think it would be cool to see the WB02 as a meter guage in push-button and digital read-out in push-button for oil temp.

[george graves]

And I like that you put correct units on the boost gauge.

Yea, I could not force myself to put "Bar" as the units - LOL. I do think that I'll make some different scales, and not everyone needs a 3 bar gauge. And I don't see why a PSI version would be bad to have.

Personally I like the look of the small ticks

Well - the good news is that they are completely custom. I can make them look how ever people want. Lots of ticks, no ticks, fat ticks, skinny ticks. I'll pay around with it and come up with 2-3 "styles" that you will be able to select from. That really should keep everyone very happy. No matter how they look, they will look like a factory part. Not flames or skulls or some crap.

Those cluster ideas look intriguing.

I was thinking a cool thing to try would be removing the SI lights and somehow wiring up a duplicate display for the OBC

Yea, but then you would still need the OBC for the buttons to press. I like what you are thinking - but the OBC is already there. I think you'll like what I am going to be doing with the numeric led's.

everything in a stock cluster has half marks, so copy that

Yea, I think you are right. As of now, I can see three styles. No marks, half marks, and a lot of marks. It depend on what you are measuring as well.

Side note: When ever I'm doing something like this I'm constantly thinking "Ok, how can I make this a super easy to install?" I have it so that you will not have to pull any gauge needles - Why is this important? Cause pulling them off is not fun, and putting them back on can really mess up how they are calibrated (they are not indexed)

Tools required will be a screwdriver, and a pair of needle nose pliers. Not much more.

Thanks all.

[george graves]

Out of curiosity, how accurate could said gauge be, and what would be required to run it hardware-wise?

That's a good question. There are a few factors. One is the sensor error, two, how accurately that sensor is measured, and three, how you interpret the data for display.

With out going into too much detail, they will be as accurate as the sensors used. I plan on using only VDO for oil pressure, and temp. They make quality parts. For boost, I'll be using some standard pressure sensors. Actually the same sensors that are used in all aftermarket EFI systems.

[Borat]

Yea, I could not force myself to put "Bar" as the units - LOL. I do think that I'll make some different scales, and not everyone needs a 3 bar gauge. And I don't see why a PSI version would be bad to have.

as I said in the other thread can you set it up so that it shows absolute pressure? or will it do that anyway? -1.0 to + 2.0 or so would be ideal for me.

[george graves]

Trust me, I'm one step ahead of you on that. I can't promise you anything, but I'm listening to feedback like yours - and thinking of working solutions that won't break the bank.

[Fidhle007]

George, as soon as you have that numeric cluster thing ready to go I will buy one, even though I'm not sure what I'll need it to measure, I just have to have it! I'll take a mileage replacement gauge too, even though again, I'm not sure what I need to be monitoring. And the hazard light gauge, I need one as well but I have my V1 display taking up one and a half blank spots in my HVAC panel. When I was 18 and bought my first e30 I had the gay idea of having the SI lights as tach lights, and I know something like that was mention before and you shot it down, but for nostalgia's sake, is that even possible? I'd buy one if you made it, despite the possible flaming...

[Bimmerman325i]

When I was 18 and bought my first e30 I had the gay idea of having the SI lights as tach lights, and I know something like that was mention before and you shot it down, but for nostalgia's sake, is that even possible? I'd buy one if you made it, despite the possible flaming...

I'd buy one too, my SI board's dead. I think that'd be really cool but only if there's a switch so that it only acts as a tach when you want it to-- full time on could get annoying.

[z31maniac]

You are a master of all things electronic.

Can't wait to see what else you will get done/refine.

Keep up the awesome work!

[So Live]

Boost gauge: Can you do a boost + vac set up like a real boost gauge? I think that would be great. I like to see what kind of vacuum im pulling before im in boost.

Itd just be a plus but not a requirement.

[bender]

do you have a circuit worked out yet?

i spent a little time messing around with the same thing a while back, but ended up getting side tracked.

thought the two independent coils that control the meter were a little wacky. whats the easy solution for this?