I was thinking of adding the Delphi VSD Concept HUD to the RX-8 dash like the current Corvette C5 hud, and was wondering what exactly is under the gauge cluster "pod"? I would like to use the Delphi unit much like the C5 with mirrors and an adjustable motor to change the height, and to put the hud box inside the cluster so it's out of the way, but I'm unsure of how to take it apart to see for myself. So, I'm asking if anyone has peeked under there for any reason to give me some feedback if this is even possible (due to too much stuff under there, etc).

Thanks all!

 

Um, I think you mean Defi, not Delphi.

And, shameless plug here, I've got a Defi Basis HUD for sale in the Parts For Sale/Wanted forum, here.

 

Yes, Defi. (Delphi was a computer software company). I'm interested in the Concept model, but I am interested to hear your opinions/comments about the hud unit in general, if you don't mind.

Thanks

 

There is not a LOT of room, but you probably just need an inch or two at the back (front?) of the cluster....

Have a look yourself, it all comes off pretty easy-

-neg batt cable off(!)
-pull down flap under steering column
(pull out and down on the top edge)
-three screws from below, for column trim
-two screws, each side of column, going up into cluster
-cluster lifts up, unclip 3 wiring connectors

S

 

Wow, thanks Stealth. Exactly what I wanted! Are there any negative side effects of removing the cluster like you did, like having to reset the alarm, or ODO?

 

My daily driver for a few years was a '98 Grand Prix GTP with a HUD, and in addition to it being a cool techno-toy, I found that it was highly useful, and something that I want in every car I own.

But, I realized that getting something in an installation that nice would be difficult, or even impractical. Still, I wanted to try. I installed Defi's boost gauge HUD in my turbo Miata. At first, I just mounted it on the dash, and I omitted the square "tint" piece (for stealth, and for clarity). The HUD did show up well enough without the "tint" piece, but there was some "ghosting". The windshields of the Corvette and Grand Prix with HUDs have a coating on them to prevent that ghosting (and doubles the cost of a replacement windshield, a fellow GTP owner had to replace theirs). Still, I preferred to put up with the ghosting, instead of having that piece sticking to my windshield. And I could put it on temporarily with scotch tape when I was at the track, and needed to see it perfectly.

That worked very well, and I waited to "bury" it in the dash like the Grand Prix and Corvette models, because I wanted to take the time to do it right. There was plenty of room behind the Miata IP, and all I had to to was cut a square hole in the IP hood, and mount the display to a part of the dash. I covered the white back of the IP with black electrical tape, because that white stuck out like a sore thumb, and it reflected on the windshield under some light angles. To reverse this, all I would have to do is replace the IP hood, and voila.

Now, the one thing that I found (and I should have known) was that the location was a little farther away from the windshield, which put it higher up on the windshield, and a little dimmer. It is still okay for what I want, but the best way to mount this would be to keep it within four inches of the windshield. And to do that when you are "burying" it, you basically have to do that where the defroster vents are in most cars. I have to sell this car now (health issues), so I haven't had the time or energy to remount the display that close to the windshield.

I still have the older VSD HUD (with speed and tach), and these are still nice enough that I plan on eventually installing it in my next car.

---jps

 

Yes, there are side effects to taking the 'pod' off -

after disconnecting the battery, you will lose your radio presets,

your stereo settings will be gone,

your temp might revert to *C (or not),

your steering will show a DSC light, turn the wheel all the way left, then all the way right, then ignition off & on,

the trip meters will be back to zero, but the odometer keeps it's memory. (nice try!:D )

S

 

Cool, Thanks. (Damn those engineers and their ODO memory)
Sputnik, I gauged where I think it might display by putting a credit card on the very tip of the gauge pod. It would put the hud at about eye level, which I think would be okay. (I had a vette with factory HUD, so I'm familiar with the placement for best results). If I can't get it to work with the gauge cluster, I also thought about using the center speaker hole on the dash, as there's plenty of room under that thing. The drawback of that approach, obviously, is that the HUD will project in the center of the windshield (left-right) putting it out of view. The center speaker is right up against the defroster vents, so it's close enough to the windshield to be effective.