Those of you who own Mk2 Golfs may know of the system that was available as optional equipment known as 'Digifiz'. This was a digital dashboard system which totally replaced the analogue units of the Mk2.
Digifiz
A little later (and no doubt using the same tech) Opel/Vauxhall released the Astra GTE with its own version.
GTE Dash
Now I have toyed with fitting Digifiz to my van but the units are damn rare and quite expensive (around £500 for the full proper kit). Cutting them up for a van seems sacriligious.
But the Vauxhall units go for peanuts and I came across this german guide (got to buy it) which details the conversion for our vans.
I know you need a transducer to attach to the speedo cable and that it has to be matched to the dash (which has a switch to alter the rate or something). According to the Ebay listing this is simply clipped onto the speedo cable. Not sure whether they use a VW or Opel parts for this.
Has anyone investigated this? Seems to be a good solution to the poor lighting/ngihtmare clocks issues we all suffer periodically. And a rev counter won't cost you £200 either
Last edited by poshbuggers on 23 Feb 2014, 09:54, edited 1 time in total.
'90 Syncro Hightop. Ex-BUPA/Rowan ambulance with 2.0L GTI power and some curious windows.
)
Its a good one to explore fella. I know there are purists that like the T25 clocks but personally I don't. They attract dirt, debris, and they break down rather too easily. I know AUDI clocks can be made to fit the dash but they're only marginally better than the T25 ones and certainly not digital. The first clocks you mention have come up on here before.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
I'll chase this manual and if I get a copy share it on here.
I'm not against analogue instruments but the sheer amount of dirt that gathers in the T3 setup and the dodgy brittle parts make me think digital is the way to go.
'90 Syncro Hightop. Ex-BUPA/Rowan ambulance with 2.0L GTI power and some curious windows.
)
I really like the idea - that's very interesting - I do remember being on work experience when I was 15 at a garage and someone owned a GTE with the digital instruments - they had lag on them if you put your foot down - can't see that as being too much of a prob in a T25
I think they would look fantastic - and really suit the vans, perhaps the later big bumper models more.
Is it not possible to find a custom company to make you a set of digital instruments - or am I being a little naive and it's not that simple.
I fitted one of these to a kit car. It worked ok bur you couldn't read it in sun light with no roof on the car, so I replaced it with dials and still have it.
If you buy one make sure you get BOTH wiring plugs to go with it.
You can use a VDO oil pressure sender/switch.
From memory there is limited adjustemt for speedo pulse imput I think there is a 2 position switch, but you can use any sender and a pulse converter to calibrate it if your sender doesn't produce the right number of pulses. I think RJES do a VSS which plugs on the end of a VW peedo cable perhaps that could be used?
I might be tempted to have a go at this as I have a digidash and a spare dash housing but would like to see how someone else has done it before I start cutting things up.
NO PIES CAKES OR BEER LEFT IN THIS VAN OVERNIGHT.
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I had been led to believe by a 'rocco fan that Digifiz is as rare as the proverbial?
It would look ultra-cool in a T3 though
Better that disintegrating dash pods and instruments falling out onto the servo...
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
Digifiz IS indeed rare and expensive. You need a few extra parts to get it to work (even in a Golf you need brackets, a seperate clock etc) and its not as user friendly as the Vauxhall system.
I'd love Digifiz but the cost of it means I won't be chopping one up soon, whereas the Vauxhall units go for anything from a tenner on Ebay.
'90 Syncro Hightop. Ex-BUPA/Rowan ambulance with 2.0L GTI power and some curious windows.
)
OK we're all biased but the VW / VDO offering does look a lot classier than the GTE version which (even allowing for fashions of the period) is typically tacky GM cheapo.
If I had one I'd worry about getting it all in front of the brake master cylinder, which is after all the defining characteristic of the T3 dash panel...
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
More research has turned up a good pinout diagram and some information about the analogue to electronic speedo conversion.
The unit depicted on the ad shows a similar setup to that found on the back of a set of instruments. Obviously this has been used and the original T3 cable fitted to it as an intermediary. The unit then provides a signal (three terminals) which is fed to the dash.
Now I don't know if on this conversion they do away with the speedo cable in favour of an electronic pulse converter or not. This either fits where the original cable does (in the gearbox hole) or gets spliced into the cable - depending on whether its an OEM part or an after market upgrade.
Now I suspect on the T3 the aftermarket setup would suit quite well. As the 2wd and 4wd versions both use cables it could be spliced into either easily, but also the 2wd does not connect to the gearbox (front wheel instead) and the 4wd does. I have an aftermarket one fitted to my Mk2 rally car which is unused so i am happy to experiment with it.
How many turns per wheel rotation these cables rotate at is the issue as this is the crucial figure required to work out the ratio between that and the digi-dash. using a pulse-converter (simple, cheap electrical gizmo) you can split the figure to increase it.
Any ideas how these cables operate?
'90 Syncro Hightop. Ex-BUPA/Rowan ambulance with 2.0L GTI power and some curious windows.
)
I have been trying to compile a list of bits and wiring connections for you regarding this but my old PC packed up and I have had to transfer the hard drive into another to read stuff from it! I am now getting somewhere with this and should have something to add to this in a day or so!
You can use the speed sensor from a Golf gearbox. The sensor can be connected to the end of the original cable where it usually plugs into the back of the speedo. I will post the part number for you as well. The advantage of using this system is that the Digifiz will display in MPH and not KMH, something people don't deem to have caught onto yet and still insist on using complex electrical circuits to conver from one to the other!
More datails to follow...
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
The speedo sensor from the Golf I assume is Mk3? I had seen some reference to that before but no firm pictures or part numbers.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to give your input. I'll be documenting this conversion properly once I have neough information and maybe offering kits if there is demand.
Personally I think it's a huge improvement over the existing system and with a little work (and another 'mod' which will make fitting it 90% simpler) I am sure it will win a fair few admirers.
'90 Syncro Hightop. Ex-BUPA/Rowan ambulance with 2.0L GTI power and some curious windows.
)
