This is my new toy. The pod looks better under the sun.

They are Defi BF gauges with white backgrounds, and water temp, oil temp and oil pressure. Controlled by Defi controller II.

Finished with the RE Amemiya Carbon fibre pod. It is a good finish but 3 problems:

1) Need to cut a hole in the stock top, and screw it in.
2) The 60mm hold is offset (to the driver side) a little so it is not easy to put BF meters in. So a slight enlargement is required to put the gauges in.
3) It is not a tight fit in the lower lip of the LCD display. So it is cut off slightly in the bottom. I think they try to double side tape on it in Japan but I don't want to - it will spoil the look of it. So I think I had to raise the LED screen to fit the little hole.





The pod is from Re Amemiya via japanparts.com, and it is hard to get. And the Defi meter is from HK... a great little project for project racing Nelson loves the real CF

 

Looks amazing ,,,Very classy
Looks factory and so not rice...A must get for me too :p

Ciao

Dave

 

looks cool,

 

Very cool Taka...well done

skc

 

I like. Good one Taka. Looking forward to seeing them in the flesh at the Nats.

 

doesnt look too bad.... not sure about the screws exposed on the top......
where did you hide the control unit?

 

Thanks guys...

Screw is tough look but I can get hex screw - may look better

I have the controll unit on the left hand side of the central console (passenger side)

 

im gettting one custom made for me now so i think iy will look similar. But i must say carbonl ooks very nice

 

it'll look good with hex screws...real racey look..

 

Taka, nice look, however I have to question how really hardcore you really are, you claim you only get the best go fast bits, you claim you know what you are talking about when it comes to all things RX-8........ however...................I am not sure how to put this..................ummmmm..............you listen to 774 AM. What is the go there???

 

Yes if I have a R Magic 1 Din like yours, I can use that as a base to make a pod.

I think the FRP version may not need all the cutting and screwing, and it may have the clip at the bottom to click on to the centre console; but heck I cannot confirm one way or the other...

Yes Gibbo, it is not a go fast bit; but it is essential when you go fast. You need to take care of the engine and watch the water temp and oil temp when you track your car, especially during hot climates.

I know I know.... I could have the Defi digital ones only and save tonnes of money (about $600), it is a impuse want to bling buy :p.

I love 774 and I care about the world . I cruise up with Nova and cruise down with ABC radio. Listen to cricket too.

 

hahaha, you beat me to it Gibbo. :D :D

Looks good Taka but one question - do you get reflected glare from the carbon onto the windscreen?

 

A bit, it is not in your line of sight tough so it is ok. The colour of the CF is cruitical and it is the dullest colour; if I have silver CF then I will hate it.

Got to go to work

 

These are the MazdaSpeed gauges. I think we'd all agree that Taka's install is a much better look.

Wonder why MS didn't try and come up with a less tacked on version?

 

I got an emailed instruction booklet from a forum member here and found there major difference in the MazdaSpeed version and the normal Defi setup, with associated problems:

MazdaSpeed
Pros:

1. The whole package is there. Water temp adaptor is supplied. (which cost $100 if you buy it outright)
2. There is a backet to be screw on and attached to the controller unit.
3. The harness is ready make to connect the power to the dash and no wiring cut is required.
4. There is a special M12 adaptor that goes into the arm of oil filter and fit right in.
5. The wiring is all secured with metal clips - very slick inside the engine bay

Cons:

1. They use the oil sump to measure oil temp. So when Mazda change your engine oil they have to take the sensor out everytime - may damage it if not careful
2. Cutting out of the whole of the top console cover is a challenge, there is a template for it but it is hard as there is a curve.
3. The gauges faces straight on but most after market pods - Fujita Engineering or Re Amemiya has pod that lean to the RHD drivers.

 

I agree with the importance of added information but I'm afraid all these pods just scream 'after-market' a little too much for my taste. I will be interested to see yours in the flesh...er ...carbon fibre, though taka.

Personally, in the absence of fully integrated instrumentation, my preference would be a data display on something like a PDA or portable nav screen. Here's hoping the sCANalyser boys are working on something like that

 

each to their onw i suppose.... i'd prefer the gauages to be "more" out of sight....
i have a set of prototypes sitting on the left hand side of the dash/door trim :p

 

It will be quite hard since there is no oil temp and oil pressure sensor in your car.

It will be more expensive for them to make one up... then you buying something aftermarket.

It is as integrated and as informative as you will ever get for information in your engine oil Timbo

Although. something like that may interest you Timbo...
http://www.defi-shop.com/product/con...ncept_top.html

http://www.defi-shop.com/flash/concept.swf

 

Didn't sco fit a screen? I remember him chasing up a Nav tray......I look forward to seeing his car at Wakefield.

 

Oh missed that post :p
It is a VERY strange comment from an owner of an orange RX-8

"more out of sight" - I somehow agrees, it is not as bling as you think in real life. I love the gauges more than the pod. So I will just as happy with a FRP one which is $60 less.

If you mean "more out of sight" as in at a place where do not normally look - what is the point of having the gauges?

 

Personally, I don't think I'll be driving my car hard enough on a track or otherwise to really need that volume of information so for me it's an unnecessary mod.

However, I do believe if you're going to do it Taka's set-up looks a lot better than the MS version.

 

dont think i will never ever live this one down.....
oh well... :p

as in.... not so visble to the public, there are still places you can fit them and still able to see, provided you have the gauages facing your way :p
agreed! those gauges are sexy

 

looks good mate!

 

Thanks dude

 

Yes, I was aware of that. But it shouldn't be too hard