gaugues that match msp best

[CHICO2003]

I'm sure there's a thread (or 50) on this already... but after some searching, I couldn't find shit.

So anyway... I'm going to be putting in my dual gauge yeller instrument bezel soon and figured I may need to get some new gauges.

The ones I had before (which resided below my single-din HU) were/are OK (stewart warner boost and A/F) but, since these will be directly in the line of site of the sped/odometer... I'm looking for something as close to (if not exactly) the same as them. My SW gauges are a sort of beat up anyway so it's probably time for a new set.

So what gauges would you guys recommend?

Also, that A/F ratio gauge will probably drive me crazy (positioned in my direct line of site) so something a little less ridiculous is probably in order. next to boost, what's the next most important?

[Mutmatt]

autometer ultralites looks dang close

[daedalus]

White faced defi d-gauges... [/thread]

http://www.transonicracinginnovations.com/misc/mazdaspeed/27.JPG

[terbow]

ultralite v2. they are silver face and backlit. u can get red lights for em too i think. thats about close as its gettin'

[CHICO2003]

White faced defi d-gauges... [/thread]

http://www.transonicracinginnovations.com/misc/mazdaspeed/27.JPG

those look pretty good... but, after going to streeeetunitdotcalm... it seems these are only available in a din casing (like yours) been there done that... since I've got an indash nav now, I need to relocate... hence the aforementioned dual gauge bezel...

[CHICO2003]

ultralite v2. they are silver face and backlit. u can get red lights for em too i think. thats about close as its gettin'

I was checking out the differences between v1 & v2. V2 features a black center (which match my 03 cluster better) but, after lookin at their website, it seems like they wouldn't really match at all at night... (white lettering instead of orange/red) see for yourself...

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=61

mouse over where it says 'view illumination'

[daedalus]

Yea, they discontinued the D-Gauge back in Dec. of '06, but there are still some new ones floating around. The thing they sell in the DIN casing isn't what I have. I've got separate D-Gauges with a VW golf DIN plate.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Cheers!

[SeR_Cyclops]

the D gauges are sick but high

[terbow]

I was checking out the differences between v1 & v2. V2 features a black center (which match my 03 cluster better) but, after lookin at their website, it seems like they wouldn't really match at all at night... (white lettering instead of orange/red) see for yourself...

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=61

mouse over where it says 'view illumination'

right, but u can buy different color led bulbs (as i mentioned) so the night illumination thing can be matched closer.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessorieslist.aspx?pid=27

so im still right. damnit ;)

u dont want v1, the around the dial lightning is horrible and doesnt match at all.

[CHICO2003]

haha thanks for the headsup on v1... that was the biggest problem with my stewart warners so I appreciate the info.

thing on the v2s though... it changes the color of the entire gauge face instead of the numbers.

ideally, I'd like guages that have a silver finish face with black numbers during the day... and a black face with orange/reddish #s at night. (to match the msp)

[terbow]

its through the dial lighting. the numbers light up not the face. its black cause the lights are off. just like ur car does now. so get the light replacements and trust in a fellow connecticutian

[CHICO2003]

haha if you say so... i still don't see it but I'll take your word fo it

[AusOrion]

right, but u can buy different color led bulbs (as i mentioned) so the night illumination thing can be matched closer.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessorieslist.aspx?pid=27

so im still right. damnit ;)

u dont want v1, the around the dial lightning is horrible and doesnt match at all.

I was looking at the description for those replacement bulbs and it says that they will not work with the v2's. I also looked at just getting covers and they also said that they would work with Ultra-lite v2's.

[daonly1around]

i would say just buy all new gauges!!!

[crashkelly]

eh matchin colors is over-rated...i got the Ultralite carbon fibers....hey at least they match my hood

[terbow]

I was looking at the description for those replacement bulbs and it says that they will not work with the v2's. I also looked at just getting covers and they also said that they would work with Ultra-lite v2's.

excellent point. the site i was at didnt mention that haha. oh well i guess ;)

i sit corrected. but during the day tehy will match. its never going to be perfect, theres going to be some sacrifice somewhere.

if u dont care about warranty u can always change the led's. but thats prolly not a good idea on new gauges.

[terbow]

eh matchin colors is over-rated...i got the Ultralite carbon fibers....hey at least they match my hood

i agree. even tho mine light up 8 diff colors. to match almost anything. but u cant see em during the day, thats the only thing i hate about them.

[CHICO2003]

i found a couple defi d gauges online... $110ish/each I know that' expensive but these seem to have the look I'm going for. time will tell...

[terbow]

defi is nice stuff. thats not really bad . i paid 1200.00 for my 3 gauges lol

[CHICO2003]

12.... hundred... dah..dah...dollars???? god lord.... no wonder you were able to donate $5

[terbow]

yea, they are great gauges though. cept the daylight thing. that was my last 5.00 though :(

[CitizenPro]

AEM's Digital guages look nice with DaveB's brushed rings :)

http://www.msprotege.com/members/CitizenPro/Gauge_install_3.JPG

http://www.msprotege.com/members/CitizenPro/Gauge_install.JPG

[CHICO2003]

hey, you can't relocate the stock kenwood like that! it'll void your warranty!!

[mistermatt]

hey, you can't relocate the stock kenwood like that! it'll void your warranty!!

(weakest)

[18sOnAiR]

i found a couple defi d gauges online... $110ish/each I know that' expensive but these seem to have the look I'm going for. time will tell...


got a link?

[CHICO2003]

(weakest)

haha I hope you know I was kidding... in which case, you probably were as well (spin)

[mp5_tunerx]

citizenpro where did you get the DIn for teh gauges?

[starscream2k1]

if your looking for gauges that match the MSP nicely.. look into Stewart Warner Competition Gauges (with the silver back and silver bezel ring...) i think they match quite closely..

[CHICO2003]

got a link?

sorry man... looks like the search continues. I got an email from them http://www.importzrevolution.com/catalog/c22_p1.html today telling me it's not in stock... and never will be. lol I was like... umm, why do you have it on your website then?

after searching... and searching (I went through 21 pages of google and made over a dozen calls) it's pretty obvious that the only way I, you or anyone will get one of these is through the used market. I for one am not interested (unless they look new) so I'm going to have to go to plan b... whatever that might be. still not sold on those autometer ultralites v2 matching. I called them as well and they said the whole face lights up (whatever color bulb you put in) at night. that's no good. I just want the #s to light up.

seriously... wtf is defi's problem anyway? they replace the d gauge with one with blue lighthing? obviously I'm not the only one who wants their gauge to match their interior lighting. what market research company told them people would be interested in blue lighted gauges? i dont' think I've ever seen interior lighting in blue... so there's no way it can match 99.9% of the vehicles on the road. ugh... fuckin idiots

[CHICO2003]

if your looking for gauges that match the MSP nicely.. look into Stewart Warner Competition Gauges (with the silver back and silver bezel ring...) i think they match quite closely..

those are what I had/have... you're right, they match pretty well. but the quality is subpar at best. nothing really seemed to line up right. its' as if a 5 year old put it together. but still.. for the price, if you're not concerned with looks, they're pretty good. since mine are going to be in the direct line of sight of my speedometer/tachometer cluster... I want them to look as good as possible. so I'm willing to spend a little extra... too bad there aren't any manufacturers willing to make one!

[SNike05]

Greddy gauges are pretty close. The needle and illumination are almost the same the only differences are the font and face which is white and not silver.

Illumination is dead on.

You can also check out speedhut and customize your guage.

[CitizenPro]

citizenpro where did you get the DIn for teh gauges?

I purchased it awhile back from a member on the board that made em. If im not mistaken, s t r e e t u n i t . c o m has them now.

[Lodivigo]

Does anyone have a V2 Ultra-lite gauge on hand? I'm trying to find out if the LED is easily accessible (twist and pops out the back of the gauge like the V1) or if it can only be changed out by soldering in a new one in. The soldering isn't a problem for me if the LED is hardwired, I'd then just need to find out if the gauge can be opened easily too or if it's all sealed up with no way of opening.

Color matching is a headache...

[AusOrion]

Does anyone have a V2 Ultra-lite gauge on hand? I'm trying to find out if the LED is easily accessible (twist and pops out the back of the gauge like the V1) or if it can only be changed out by soldering in a new one in. The soldering isn't a problem for me if the LED is hardwired, I'd then just need to find out if the gauge can be opened easily too or if it's all sealed up with no way of opening.

Color matching is a headache...

I just had a look at my V2 gauge and there doesnt appear to be any access to the LED, hence why the Autometer website says that you cant change the bulbs.

I was actually planning on hooking up my gauges today to get a better idea of the lighting. If I do I will post photos.

[Lodivigo]

I figured as much, is there any visible way of getting into the gauge without destroying it (screws or anything)?

[AusOrion]

I figured as much, is there any visible way of getting into the gauge without destroying it (screws or anything)?

Not really. Everything seems to be sealed up pretty good. There is a sticker on the back of the gauge which covers a decent size hole into the gauge. But there is a plastic shield on the inside of the gauge prevents going into the gauge itself and it doesnt feel like it is going to budge.

I was in contact with someone from Autometer not too long ago. I'll send him an e-mail and see if he has any tips on changingthe colour. I am sure that I'm going to get the "you will void the warranty" speech but anyway.

[Lodivigo]

Lol, warranties are made to be broken. Thanks again for checking the gauge for me and all the quick replies, much appreciated!

[Jaysanooch]

I got this these pictures from I forget who but they match really close and that's why I got the stewart gauges.

[FLAMSP]

Jaysanooch where did you get the gauge pod from? It looks dope!

[Bakum]

ultralite v2. they are silver face and backlit. u can get red lights for em too i think. thats about close as its gettin'

I have these guages as well and with the red backlight it matches perfect. They come with 2 backlight covers. Green and Red. Just slide the red cover over the light and your good to go. I'll try to get a pic.

**EDIT**
My mistake I have the original Ultralite design not the Ultralite 2 design.

[Jaysanooch]

Jaysanooch where did you get the gauge pod from? It looks dope!

That is not mine but I ordered the same one here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123647657&highlight=mryeller

Production has been very slow...I'm anxious to get it. I have the gauges though.

[CHICO2003]

you can say that again. I placed my order on April 12th (and sent my $120). So far, nothing... not even a PM to update me on where things stand. (after a half dozen or so PMs)

Someone else needs to start making these things...

[Jaysanooch]

you can say that again. I placed my order on April 12th (and sent my $120). So far, nothing... not even a PM to update me on where things stand. (after a half dozen or so PMs)

Someone else needs to start making these things...

I feel your pain....I paid in full mid February. I couldn't wait any longer and I actually bought one made by someone else...it's not bad but I haven't installed it yet.

[JDM Sam]

STRI (http://*************.com/stri_dsdslm2amber.htm) is the closest to the old D gauge amber

[AusOrion]

I finally got my Autometer Ultra-lite II oil gauges installed this weekend. During the day they match the stock gauges very well. When they light up they have a red ring around the outside, white numbers and some yellow in the middle for the Autometer logos.

I will post some pictures up this week, but in another thread where I will unveil my install.