Hey guys, I was thinking about setting up a custom gauge cluster, and figured that if I go with a set of summit gauges, I will pay about 150$ total as opposed to around 400$ for autometer gauges.

My only quirk with these is the goofy summit logo in the center. Do you guys think those are stickers, or are they most likely painted on? I'd get a set in a heartbeat if there were a way to take the hokey logo off. I just cant imagine having a dash with 6 gauges with SUMMIT written all over the damn place.

 

I'm fairly sure it's painted on. If you're really slick you might be able to scuff it off with sandpaper?
I'd leave it on though, summit is respectable enough for me.
But, do tell, how is it only $150 for all? This includes a tach and speedo??? And you'd make up your own panel to hold all the gauges? I priced out aftermarket gauges, gasped, and gave up. $150 is within the realm of reasonability to me.

 

I'm not 100% positive but I'm thinking they are painted on, unless the numbers are stickers aswell. Do you think You can just paint them black? Get one of those Testors black paint marker?

 

Yeah summit's gauges are dirt cheap, are the bigger 2 5/8" size, and are only about $20 each so you could get a full set (5 gauges) and a 3 3/8" dash mountable tach for less than $150. You would still have to fab up some kind of bezel 'cause although the tach should fit, the other 2 5/8" gauges would not fit into the 1 3/4" ancillary gauge holes...

I'd also leave the Summit logo there, I like the way it looks. And you don't want to possibly damage or ruin the gauge by trying to take it off, but if it bothers you that much...

 

I understand what you mean on the prices for Autometer gauges. I just spent around $500 on a full set for another project, but I wanted them for (1) reputation, and (2) looks. If you just wanting to get the most bang for your buck, then get the summit gauges and be happy how they are, if your concerned about looks then you might want to save up some cash and look around for some good deals on set of Autometer (or similar brand) gauges. If memory serves me right I think StewartWarner sells some decent gauges for a cheaper price than Autometer.

 

Yeah, the tachs are about $35, speedo is $70 and the other gauges range from 15-30$. Might be slightly more than $150, but less than $200 for sure. I might just suck it up and go with them...this might be my summer project.

But yes, where I work, we have a laser engraver/laser vector router. I will be able to measure out and fab up a custom panel for the gauges out of a 1/4" piece of plastic cintra, which is plenty durable, so I am saving out alot here. If I take this up and am successful at it, I'll see if I can't get a bunch made if people on this board want them.

 

Yea, that would be awesome. I'm guessing you'd have to go to a larger size for oil pressure / voltage, etc, since we have the 2 1/16", and I don't think summit makes that size cheaply right?
Hmm, I'm eagerly awaiting how this turns out, i'd love to have a custom gauge panel.
Wait, summit doesn't make a metric speedometer do they?

 

Eh, I haven't seen one from summits brand. Unfortunately though it looks like only Autometer makes them. I see a 0-190kph and 0-260kph.

 

yea exactly, now that I remember, that's why I didn't pursue this before. Autometer is too pricey, if summit, i'd want an autometer speedo, then it wouldn't match so...

 

Well...if you wanted to be REALLY slick, you could make your own face for the summit mph speedo, and convert the units to KPH. If you are any good at photoshop you can probably do this easily.

I, however, would make the KPH template, and then redo ALL the gauges using that template style, so the texture of the material you use for the new face matches with the speedo.

 

I hope its just a picture error but the 250* is missing half of the 2.

 

If you look closely, the back of the needle (which is painted black) is covering the number.

 

gotcha

 

I just did my gauges in autometer. Turned out very nicely. It did take a lot of time to fab up though. Just thought you might want to see it. Go to the fabrication section and look for a post by me titled 'custom gauges-turn signals' there is quite a few pictures by others in this post as well. So you can get some more ideas.

 

Thank you, I'll check that out.

Hey luke, I like the idea of putting the Z28 logo in there. I might try something similar with the laser engraver, it looks sweet.

Do you have pictures of the finished product? I'd love to see how it turned out.

 

Junki, be sure to let me know when you have a custom fitted panel made up. Put my name on your order list. I'm not familiar with that cintra plastic, but i'd be down.
I might even settle for using an MPH speedo, (ugh), and just have everything match.

 

Yeah man, provided that my summer vacations don't drain my pockets too badly, and I actually get the car running, this project will most likely happen. I'll be sure to inform you, but I'll most likely make a thread posting my progress.

BTW, I have a 1990 Iroc, so my panel would be a different shape than your 82TA, unless you have another car that you are planning on doing this to. Regardless, if it really is something you'd want done, I can make up a template for your console, provided that you get me the accurate measurements. Even if I can just cut you the general shape, I'm sure you can sand the piece to fit if there are fitment problems, you know?

Again, this is a summer project so I am just doing research as of yet, so this is still a few months in the making.

 

i was looking around for custom gauge stuff and found this thread. i read street rod magazines sometimes, and one company that advertises in many of them is autoloc. they make customizable gauges. you can actually take them apart and customize them yourself or even have them custom made with whatever face plate you want. the needles and trim rings are interchangable also. the only downside is their lack of selection.