InteriorDiscussion about interior modifications like dashboard swaps, seat replacements, or general interior repair.
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Well, first of I know how crappy our stock gauges are. They don't read hardly anything accurately, so I'm going to invest in some Cobalt Autometer gauges soon. Particularly the water temp, oil psi, and fuel psi gauges. I already have a little autozone oil psi gauge connected to the bottom of my dash, but it never sits the way I want it to and I usually end up bashing my knee against it.
So... I've been thinking of ordering the a-pillar gauge cluster and putting the gauges in there. My only concern is: does it look as good installed as the original pillar? I know the bottom gauge pod rubs against the dash pad, but I'm asking if the pillar looks flush and clean installed in place of the original a-pillar. Also, if I go with just 2 gauges instead of 3, does anyone make a full pillar with just 2 or is it just a little peace I basically have to stick onto the existing pillar?
I want as accurate readings as I can get, but I really want to keep a stock appearance so making a custom instrument panel in the dash is out of the question.
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I love my full pillar pod. Ive had it for quite a few years now, and moved it from one car to another. It fits perfect and looks like it belongs. Most people wouldnt even know it was aftermarket. I think its WAY better than attaching gauges all over the place and under the dash.
Right now, Im just running 2 gauges in a 3 gauge pod. I sold my narrow band O2 sensor... So I got a snap in cover/blank to make the hole look better. Now I have a wideband O2 gauge to install... But it looks fine with the blank.
Here's a pic of how it looks currently with the blank installed.
And here's a couple during my build, when I still had 3 gauges in it. The bottom pod does rest on the dash...but its not a big deal.
Hope that helps ya with your decision... I say buy the 3 gauge pod that is made to fit our a-pillar. Put a blank in it... That way, if you decide to add another gauge, you're good to go. Or you could mount a shift light behind the blank. Or get a cheap gauge like a vac. gauge. Lots of options. If I wasnt going to have 3 gauges, Ide probably mount my shift light in the bottom spot behind a blank.
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
So it just goes in there the way the normal pillar does with no problems or gaps between the plastic and metal at all? Also, what gauges would you reccomend for a 305carb? Oil psi is a must for my cars, but I can't decide on the other two. Thinking Fuel Pressure and Water Temp.
I have done thsi to my T/A. mounted 2 gauge pods on the a pillar then fiberglassed them and then painted them. I have 4 gauges total.I can post some pics up if youd like so you can get an idea of what it looks like.
__________________ 1988 Trans Am 64,500 miles,(The Project- swapped 357 (350 bored ."40 Carb'd/ Built TH700 R4 w/ Hooker Super Comp headers, EdelBrock 600 Carb, 99' Vortec 062 Heads, Edelbrock Cam, 2200 stall, EdelBrock Performer ESP Votec Intake, 3.73 gears, Custom Y pipe w/ 3" exhaust and 3" Cutouts, MSD Ready to Run E-Curve Distributor/Ignition, Edelbrock open element w/ 3" K&N air filter, Catlaytic Converter delete, Flowmaster 80 series, B&M shift kit w/ Corvette Servo.) Other cars: 1989 Formula WS6 305 TPI/T5/PBR(parts car) 1992 Carmaro RS 3.1/700R4.
So it just goes in there the way the normal pillar does with no problems or gaps between the plastic and metal at all? Also, what gauges would you reccomend for a 305carb? Oil psi is a must for my cars, but I can't decide on the other two. Thinking Fuel Pressure and Water Temp.
Well, it sort of fits over your existing a-pillar cover. I think the hardtop cars are alittle different... But either way, it fits perfect. It covers the ENTIRE a-pillar and attaches via push pin type things.
Its hard to tell its not all one piece unless the tops are out...and even then, if you didnt know what you were looking for you'd never notice any gaps or seams.
As for what gauges you should get...thats up to you. Ide say oil pressure and water temp are the most important "basic" gauges. Fuel pressure might be a good one...though I always think of them being more important on an EFI car. Like I said...you dont HAVE to fill the third spot right away.
Well, if I could get a full pillar with just 2 gauge pods, I'd get it. I just don't know exactly what 3rd gauge would be useful for a carb'd car. Oil psi and water temp I'm going to be getting so I can do away with this autozone gauge on my dash... it bugs me.
I dont think there is a full pillar pod with only two guages. You will have to get one of the 2 gauge pods, and if you want it to look like it belongs, you'll have to fiberglass it into the a-pillar like it sounds like TADailyDriver did.
Personally I think 3+ looks good over there...and you can always fill the third spot up with a cheapie like a vacuum gauge. They are somewhat useful...Im running a vac gauge, fuel pressure, and wideband in my car. But, you gotta go with whats in your budget, what looks good to you, and what you think you can use best.
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
I dont think there is a full pillar pod with only two guages. You will have to get one of the 2 gauge pods, and if you want it to look like it belongs, you'll have to fiberglass it into the a-pillar like it sounds like TADailyDriver did.
Personally I think 3+ looks good over there...and you can always fill the third spot up with a cheapie like a vacuum gauge. They are somewhat useful...Im running a vac gauge, fuel pressure, and wideband in my car. But, you gotta go with whats in your budget, what looks good to you, and what you think you can use best.
J.
heres the link to my post i made when i did my gauges. Includes pics. I started with 1 2 gauge pod, then added another. Very easy to do. let me know what you think. I will get some better close up pics tonite. my stock water temp and oil psi dont work anymore but ill be fixing that soon.
DyingYoung138- you can get a full pillar 2 pod from speed hut. i dont know how they look in our cars.
ghettocruiser- where did you get your pod from. i like the way i looks. i do have a hardtop so the top is going to be cover. how hard was it to get in place.
My pod, as well as the two gauge pod that you mentioned, are both from Autometer. You can pick them up at any of the good online stores. Summit, speed hut looks good but I never used em, egauges.com, etc etc.
I thought I remembered the hardtop cars getting a different type of pod...one that covered more, or one that replaced the entire trim. That might have changed however.
Mine was really easy to install. I took my trim off, laid the pod in place so it matched up, attached it, and it was good to go. You gotta make some holes in the a-pillar trim to pass wires and hoses through. Atleast I had to.
I also recommend installing some type of quick disconnects on those gauge hook ups. Like for the wiring and hoses. Makes it easy if you ever have to remove the trim for something. Im going to re-do my wiring when I install my wideband.
No one will be disappointed with autometer's stuff. Ive been running there gauges and gauge pods for years, and both my jeeps as well as my car have guages and pods from them. Love em.
I've never wanted a pillar pod on my car 'till now. I guess I'd just seen too many poorly built and ones that didn't match the car correctly. Usually the same people who plug under dash lights into 3 prong cigarette lighter outlets. :S
'86 Trans Am 305 Auto - 
'91 Camaro 305 TBI Auto - 
Other cars: 1989 Formula WS6 305 TPI/T5/PBR(parts car) 1992 Carmaro RS 3.1/700R4. 
