Gauge Questions

[crazymilk]

Hi there
I am getting everything ready for my Ej25 conversion in my T25.
Just finishing of the rebuild of heads ect.

One point I have yet to think about is the qauges/readings.

Currently I have the stock standard T25 cluster which has the temp/fuel level on the right and the speedo on the left - thats it.

So what are my options?

Do I add after market gauges to monitor other info and if so what?

Do I change/modify the current cluster?

Any help guidance would be appreciated

[syncroandy]

Sounds like you're lacking a stock T3 revcounter, but if you did have one it wouldn't work with the Subaru ECU without mods. You may also want to monitor your new engine's heath and the most popular options seem to be oil pressure and temperature. I do an upgrade kit which replaces the stock T3 pod. It includes a revcounter which will run directly from the Subaru ECU, and has space at each side to add additional gauges (this is a new option I've done for a few customers). Sorry for the poor pic but you get the idea I hope:



More info on my website (link below).

[silverbullet]

If you did have a std T3 tacho then there is a simple (if a little delicate) mod with a 220 Ohm resistor that makes it read correctly from the Subaru ecu output.
I found it via the SubaruVanagon yahoo group but you may also find the pics via google images.

PS There is a pdf guide available to download. Search for "subaru vanagon tach mod" it will be the first or second result.

[syncroandy]

Yes, I've used the 'tach mod' with success, but i didn't see any point in mentioning the detail as he doesn't have a tach.. ?

[crazymilk]

Thanks Andy
They look really nice, how are they to fit/calibrate?

[syncroandy]

Most of the dash signals are picked up on the standard connectors, plus three wires for coolant level, left and right turn need splicing into the dash harness. Then there's the electric speed sender to fit and connect, and finally the light and hazard switches need moving. TBH if you can take on swapping an engine, fitting the dash shouldn't be a problem. There's an installation guide on my website if you want to get an idea of what's involved.

[Jawin89]

I fitted one of Andy's instrument clusters to my van a few months ago now and I'm really pleased with it. Fairly simple to fit if you can follow instructions and do some basic wiring. The speed sensor is fairly simple to fit but routing the cable correctly to the dash needs a bit of thought.

Results are well worth the effort though.

[Domino]

This is one reason I will be going for a newer Subaru engine (not sure what year yours is ) that has a obd2 compatable port as that will be kept and a blue tooth OBD2 reader attached and I'll use a tablet and a OBD2 app to read any info I need , I use one in my Subaru for fun and read info like boost , water temp , maf info , revs and loads of other stuff

[syncroandy]

Jawin - thanks, always good to get some feedback.

Domino - From what I've seen OBD compatibility only came in 2001 on UK models. Agreed OBD tools are great for diagnostics and general monitoring with an app such as Torque, if you want to mount a phone or tablet near the dash. But I still think there's a place for proper clocks.

Re. OBD port, on cars 98-2000 they did have the 16-pin OBD port, with the old SSM Tx & Rx wires, plus a K-line, but the K-line ran a Subaru-specific protocol. This can be useful though, with a cheap USB cable and free software (ECUexplorer, FreeSSM), so definitely worth fitting, I always keep it on harnesses I build for folk.

[Domino]

Jawin - thanks, always good to get some feedback.

Domino - From what I've seen OBD compatibility only came in 2001 on UK models. Agreed OBD tools are great for diagnostics and general monitoring with an app such as Torque, if you want to mount a phone or tablet near the dash. But I still think there's a place for proper clocks.

Re. OBD port, on cars 98-2000 they did have the 16-pin OBD port, with the old SSM Tx & Rx wires, plus a K-line, but the K-line ran a Subaru-specific protocol. This can be useful though, with a cheap USB cable and free software (ECUexplorer, FreeSSM), so definitely worth fitting, I always keep it on harnesses I build for folk.

Yeah mate agreed I think the clocks are great and I only really use the obd2 as a extra and for fun like I said ,iv never taken there reading to serious or trusted them fully, but with the obd2 still there it means I Don't have to panic about making sure things are roughly where they should be once my conversion is finished and the engine I finally want is in there ,, but would still look into the clock conversion after as its far easier to read

Yeah your right on the Subaru stuff mate iv been playing with subarus for years so know them pretty well and run my own Subaru club thats very similar to the 80-90 forum and think iv owned nearly every model of Impreza turbo there is out there lol, plan is to run a Impreza STI7-8 (2001-2004) engine and loom and retain the obd2 ports and this allows easy access to the ecu for mapping aswell as the app stuff as a extra ,, one thing I do know is what Subaru engine I want in my van it's just getting it in there lol

So you build the looms ?

[syncroandy]

Aye, I'll take on harness work for most engines people fit to a T3, eg. most VAG up to ~2005 and Subaru up to ~2003. I do some ECU doctoring too but just VAG so far.

[crazymilk]

Thanks guys very helpful
I have my loom booked in with Richard at Rjes in December, I am assuming he will leave the OBD port on the harness however I still like the look of these dials, especially with the added gauges to the sides.
I will be intouch Andy when I am ready