Modern Digital Dashboard

[cantflip]

@cantflip - i want to agree with you on the repair ease/longevity of the electronics, but i just cant. to me it is no different than the very parts we are trying to fix. it may become 'frozen in time' where you can no longer update it as is, due to revision and improvement, etc. or say the CPU dies and you have to go find a used CPU of that generation to swap - just like now, clock is dead = find a new clock to swap in.

this may be a topic where old hats and new hats are gonna take sides lol.

try not to die -

- saylor

Thanks @saylor , I'm calling that as close to an agreement as I will find on this subject. The sensors required to make it all work should be common enough items (probably scaled from a GM bowtie product) and I would hope to see availability for many years.

The control module may turn out to be way different if you need a replacement 2 years later... or have morphed into something else entirely. Lots of automotive apps for Palm Pilots didn't survive and different sources brought out smart phone replacements eventually, but there is a risk expecting electronic platforms to have any real longevity. If you catch the sweet spot, you have maybe a decade of common use before the next generation takes over entirely.

As soon as you deviate from stock, you fall into the "restomod" category. Everyone has their own reasons for doing this (safety, aesthetics, etc.), as well as how deep into the "mods" they are willing to go. Another aspect to consider is resale value. Many sellers are frustrated when prospective buyers don't share their vision of how the mods have enhanced a cars value.

The only safe way to view this is that you are consciously devaluing the car. For a shop to do these mods for a paying customer, there may be some profit... but an owner/builder needs a TV show for anyone to think this stuff is worthwhile. Too many folks believe television, and think they should get a return... they generally have done the opposite.

 

[commando1]

I can restore a instrument panel for no more than what a Chinese digital speedo would cost.
A digital dash wont give you any indicator a/o warning lights that were on your original dash.
You're changing to an electronic speed which requires installing a sensor.
Plus it will look like **** unless you you spend thousands on a custom installation rather that a universal guage set tacked on.

 

[SPF Required]

I am definitely glad this did not become a battle between the old hats and new. Everyone's input has steered me in the right direction(s). Thank you! Long story short, I will be keeping my original dash while also bring on board some modern technology.

Based on my preliminary research I thought the product by Intellitronix was an ok choice because I am not necessarily driven to keep the dash stock and wanted something more than just a couple of warning lights to protect my new engine (and that's even if they work). Universal LED Gauges | Intellitronix

The iDash created by 14point7 (iDash) is certainly along the lines of what I was hoping to find, but it look like that one is much more geared for the tuners and needs a bit more understanding of programming than I was willing to commit.

Soooo... after a bit more research, I believe I have landed on a product that will give me the real time analytics for oil pressure, temp, volts, and RPM (and a speedo) while not touching my dash. In fact, there are no wires to run through the fire wall. Check it out: EngineStat

i got word today that the engine will be done and car delivered by July 29th. I will be installing this shortly there after and post some updates.

And Commando1 - if you were offering to actually do a dash restoration, I do have a spare in my garage I will gladly send you! Looks like my all in price for the EngineStat will be around $300

 

[cantflip]

I am definitely glad this did not become a battle between the old hats and new. Everyone's input has steered me in the right direction(s). Thank you! Long story short, I will be keeping my original dash while also bring on board some modern technology.

Based on my preliminary research I thought the product by Intellitronix was an ok choice because I am not necessarily driven to keep the dash stock and wanted something more than just a couple of warning lights to protect my new engine (and that's even if they work). Universal LED Gauges | Intellitronix

The iDash created by 14point7 (iDash) is certainly along the lines of what I was hoping to find, but it look like that one is much more geared for the tuners and needs a bit more understanding of programming than I was willing to commit.

Soooo... after a bit more research, I believe I have landed on a product that will give me the real time analytics for oil pressure, temp, volts, and RPM (and a speedo) while not touching my dash. In fact, there are no wires to run through the fire wall. Check it out: EngineStat

i got word today that the engine will be done and car delivered by July 29th. I will be installing this shortly there after and post some updates.

And Commando1 - if you were offering to actually do a dash restoration, I do have a spare in my garage I will gladly send you! Looks like my all in price for the EngineStat will be around $300

I kinda like it... but when it breaks, it will likely be a throw away... Nice that it won't screw up the instrument panel.

 

[Big_John]

I don't care for the temperature sender. That's just a thermocouple stuck in the fins of the radiator. There's a lot of scenarios where that sender won't see a sudden rise in engine temperature. I'd rather see a "wet" sender in the water pump.

Other than that, it's got some good possibilities.

 

[fury fan]

Perhaps an easier route would be to get individual round gauges that have digital readouts in them. But personally I view digital as passé, and modern gagues look much better. Especially some of the modern repro gauges like the old Green Lines (?).

 

[Alchemi]

The Idash has the rpm input - put sensor on wheel, automatic calc based on tyre diameter = speedo

The EStat setup gives way less value for money vs Idash - go price a wideband gauge and the hookup prob isnt as bad as you think it may be, they list all the ratings for the sensors that they use so with some parts book look up you would be able to find generic ones pretty easily

on the DIY side, you can copy either product with the ardiuno board and plug ins for less money and have replaceable modules if any of it fails - after having a bit more of a look at how they work, the learning curve is no too huge - for example i found a 8 channel thermocouple multiplexer for the ardiuno here in OZ for only $50au. There are some easy to use software apps to create you screens and you can chose if you want to go hardwire, wifi or bluetooth for hookup
Home brew with out a few of the bells n whistles ie just "normal" gauges, i recon you could get a fist change out of $100 if you already have a screen

Personally I picture leaving my original dash in and sitting a couple of 10" screens in front of it - easily removable. That would change if ever i break a windscreen, the whole dash frame would get replaced by an alloy one while the screen is out

 

[SPF Required]

I did make the decision to go with the Enginestat pro product .
EngineStat Pro - New for the ultimate power user!
The iDash is definitely a more hip product, but I just don't have the time to learn the programming. And I am installing a Fitech EFI (
Go EFI 4 600 HP | Matte Black – FiTech Fuel Injection)
as a part of the rebuild, so I do get the wideband, water temp, and tach as a part of that setup but it lacks the oil pressure sender which I think is crucial. So there will be some duplication, but enginestat puts it all on my tablet (fitech is on a wired controller). Plus Enginstat now incorporates a GPS speedo which is good enough for me.

I will post some updates when I get it installed.