93-96 to 97+ Dash Conversion Project Thread

[meissen]

Ok I have a question for you since you have torn down your entire dashboard. On a scale of 1-10, how hard is it to get to the gauge face/needles with a 93-96 setup? Cause my gas needle is off by a little bit and it really screws with me cause it says i have a little bit of gas when I have none/a super full tank when its just full, and I need to change that before I get stranded where I dont wanna be

I would say it's probably a 7 with 10 being the worst. It's not really hard, there's just a crap load of stuff you have to get to. Just to take the gauges out of a 93-96 Camaro, you have to take out the knee bolster, the A-pillars so you can then take out the dash pad, the radio bezel, and then once you've removed basically every plastic part that surrounds the gauge cluster bezel, you can finally then unbolt the gauge cluster bezel to get the gauge cluster out. Although if you're just messing with the needles, you could probably leave the gauge cluster in place, just unbolt the plastic piece and then fix your needle. Just be VERY careful because the slightest adjustment makes a huge difference on the reading.

On my 94 gauge cluster, when it was stock from the dealer it'd always read about 1/4 PAST the full line when I had a full tank of gas, and when it hit empty.. it was on fumes. When I did the flame gauge overlays we had the gas tank filled so it was reading way over, then we took the needle out and made it so the needle was on the "Full" line when it was full... that way when it was on "empty" I actually had a few gallons of fuel still.

[ITSSLOW]

Damn B! That computer/tv is amazing!

[meissen]

Yeah, I'm realizing no one seems to ever had known about my carPC setup on the site.

[jakes_GSXR]

Kanye....thats sick.

[Phantom409]

Ya B that would be the one.
The bolts on that V bracket is what holds that whole shooting match up.
It's been a while since I have had to mess with it (6yrs) so I would have to go and look again to see what has to be taken apart.

[MP81]

Wow, that looks sweet!

[meissen]

I'll have to take a more serious look at it when I work on it next.

[TSTONE]

coming along nicely - that screen is sweet

[phoenix_rising]

It's literally a full blown computer, so it can do basically whatever I want it to do. It doesn't have built-in wifi, but I can use my USB Wifi to give it wifi. I'm actually contemplating using the software that is made for my Treo so that I can plug the Treo into the carPC and use the Treo's internet connection on the carPC... but I'll need to write a batch file to accomplish this easily while I'm driving.

The real time weather updates are only available while it has an internet connection, but yeah otherwise it's downloaded straight from Weather.com.

The GPS software is very accurate. I use iGuidance, it's my favorite out of the handful that are available. iGuidance is easy to use because the software buttons are larger and it integrates with the frontend software much easier.

Thats awesome. One of these days I'll build a CarPC. We could set up a LAN at the M&G. Until then I'll stick with a nice DVD player, I found one I like but it will have to wait till my next paycheck. Hey bri, how much power are you drawing for the CarPC and your other stereo stuff. Someone mentioned I may need a higher output alternator to run all my car stereo / video stuff. How do all those import guys run 10 monitors, 8 subs, 4 amps+ on such a little car?

[SoulTerror]

Battery's and cap's. Some of those cars have a small army of battery's Ben. If you plan on running a lot of electronics I would recommend a bigger alt. as well.

[phoenix_rising]

Battery's and cap's. Some of those cars have a small army of battery's Ben. If you plan on running a lot of electronics I would recommend a bigger alt. as well.

Would I be looking for a V8 Alternator or something aftermarket?

[SoulTerror]

I don't know if a v8 alt will work. Can just order a bigger alt for your v6 from just about anywhere. Summit, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, etc....

[meissen]

Battery's and cap's. Some of those cars have a small army of battery's Ben. If you plan on running a lot of electronics I would recommend a bigger alt. as well.

True that, my battery is ALWAYS dead. I was actually shocked on the weekend when I reconnected my battery (it was entirely disconnected, both posts) and it still had a charge. Confirmed in my eyes that my problem is not my battery, it's either a short connection somewhere that's causing a constant drain, or my alternator just sucks. I want to get a higher output alternator this year, though. Especially since the screen I'm looking at buying is a 10.4" touchscreen instead of the 7" that I currently have.

[BP_Z28]

why not go 25"

[MP81]

Replace the passenger seat with a screen.