any updates on this car?

Quote: Originally Posted by MaD_WoG [View Post] any updates on this car? Not really, its about 95% there. Just some cabin features that need to be completed and I'm done. I drove her for a couple of days last time I was back and performance-wise she was flawless. Cabin-wise these are the things that still need to be completed. - New VY centre-console electric window switch replaced. As mentioned in a previous post one of the lights under a switch stopped working. So I'll swap the guts and re-solder wiring. (About 2 hours work) - I need to replace and install one green globe on the SPEED ALERT and CRUISE CONTROL switches (About an hour) - The Digital Speedometer LED - I was going to replace this with a brighter one but after some initial tests decided just to remove the green filter off it and replace it with a clear one. This involves ripping out the dash and taking the the now customised instrument cluster apart (About 4 hours) - My analogue speedo wobbles up to 40km. Replaced everything from cables and parts and both ends and it still does it so will send the cluster off to get sorted. - As for the SATNAV. Now that its available on an iPhone I'm looking at a neater way to install this function. But need to figure out a way that looks factory and not an aftermarket tack on. - Also, ever since I drove a Camaro across the US, I've been fascinated with on-window instrument display units. I'm doing a bit of R&D on this as to how I can get this feature working on a VL. Yes - 88MPH - Was expecting to go back to 1986 and buy a brand new fully spec'd HDT VL but unfortunately it didn't happen.... Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

I looked into HUDs a while ago. Lots of spares from US cars where it was a factory option floating around on eBay, and of course aftermarket items. guess it depends on what sort of look you want. The BMW HUDs are quite cool, incorporating the satnav as well. IMHO I don't think using the iPhone for your navigation is a good idea, because the device itself is only good for a year or so before you need to upgrade (therefore your upgrad emight not be compatible with the VL anymore). A standalone satnav unit would be much more sensible IMO. Having said that, if I had just won the lotto I'd probably be PMing you an offer right now.

Quote: Originally Posted by 5spdvl [View Post] I looked into HUDs a while ago. Lots of spares from US cars where it was a factory option floating around on eBay, and of course aftermarket items. guess it depends on what sort of look you want. The BMW HUDs are quite cool, incorporating the satnav as well. IMHO I don't think using the iPhone for your navigation is a good idea, because the device itself is only good for a year or so before you need to upgrade (therefore your upgrad emight not be compatible with the VL anymore). A standalone satnav unit would be much more sensible IMO. Having said that, if I had just won the lotto I'd probably be PMing you an offer right now. Yes, I still have the TomTom I purchased for that purpose ("upgraded" to Darth Vader voice). More thinking. As for the HUD, most units are a plug and play into post 1996 cars (OBD II spec). I just want a speedometer number and possibly an RPM if I can figure out a way to do it. The display of course in green and red. So I'm going to see what I can cannibalise from parts. I need to take some measurements on the dash shroud as I want to mould the LED/HUD unit into it and get the guy who did my iPod holder to repaint it with the same type of finish. But I'll start doing that when I get back next.

Please share some more updates on your ride. By far the BEST vl by a mile. Keep it up

Actually in Perth working on it now. So far we've swapped the electric window console switch with another unit with brighter LEDs. Replacing LEDs in the dash as well for brighter units. Still working on the TomTom dash. Trying to fit any work in between gaps I have in my schedule for this visit.

How about this for a idea.. If you end up doing the mirror mod, why not also do a automatic light deflector. It's standed in my senators mirror, I can't live without it!! Everybody blinds me when I drive other peoples cars. I also have very dark tints lol.

UPDATE: Fine Tuning Some Mods One of the LEDs in the centre console was gone so I had to replace the entire circuit board with a slightly brighter VY unit. Something that has always troubled me is the illumination of the Cruise Control Switch and my custom made Speed Alert switch which was modified from another Cruise Control switch. Decided to put a nice bright LED in there to test then fit two Green ones. As the LED is 3v had to fit a resistor to step it down. This is what it will look like as test fitted. I'll fit two per switch once I receive more of the 3mm LEDs I placed on order today. ---------- Post added 17-03-14 at 12:39 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by MUS [View Post] How about this for a idea.. If you end up doing the mirror mod, why not also do a automatic light deflector. It's standed in my senators mirror, I can't live without it!! Everybody blinds me when I drive other peoples cars. I also have very dark tints lol. There's some nice after market units I'm looking at but as time rolls on, even better ones. Will be looking at this towards the end of the year. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Good work that looks pretty cool man

Well after a couple of years of planning, I'm happy that the dash is finally finished. The last part was to illuminate the Speed Alert and Cruise Control Switches with 4 LEDs and now all the lighting scheme matches up. Now to pull it apart again when I'm back next. The speedo needle wobbles up to 40 km. I've replaced the cable, the gears on both ends of the cable and I've deduced it can only be the speedo itself at fault. So next time I'm back in Perth I'm taking the dash apart again and sending it to a place in Welshpool that fixes this sort of thing. I'm also going to replace the terminals on the front battery (I have a dual battery setup) but that's a minor "unseen" change. Overall I'm happy that this is finally finished. Now to investigate further the HUD setup and whether there is room to install in the dash shroud. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

love this thing, nice looking and mods r unbeleivable

Looks like you've got it all sorted but this may come of some use. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/fo.../t-64450.html? (http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/archive/index.php/t-64450.html?)

Quote: Originally Posted by sampo [View Post] Looks like you've got it all sorted but this may come of some use. http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/fo.../t-64450.html? (http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/archive/index.php/t-64450.html?) Thanks. I'll just be connecting it to the same speed signal wire that does my digital dash so they both read out the same. However, the way to calibrate my current speed sensor is to hit the synchronise button at 100km/h. So hopefully the unit I get works on the same principle. I think I've found the unit I want from China. Green Illumination onto the windscreen. Very simple numerals. I got the installation details from the manufacturer (here's a cut and paste): 1. How your car model and choose the corresponding car model before purchasing HUD 2. To identify the SPEED SIGNAL line of vehicle, power POSITIVE DC12Volt line, power NEGATIVE GND lines,and then connect the BROWN(SIGNAL), RED(+DC12V)and BLACK(GND) cable respectively Model of connection of different cars is different, for more reference , please contact Car decoration shop or proxy point. Under normal circumstances, the speed signal lines lies to the following: A, generally, can be found at the back of the plug of the instrument panel B, can be found on ABS brake pump output plugs or gearbox C, Some models can be found in the interface of OBD D, Can be found from the Plug Behind the Audio E, Can be found in Car ECU or ECM F, Professionals can use the oscilloscope to find, Idle running voltage of about 1V, the car in motion different cycles of the pulse is given the speed signal line So need to figure out whether this is suited for the VL and whether I can use my current setup for the pulses. This is how the unit looks though (manufacturer's picture). Figure I'll build it into the dash shroud so need to determine whether there is enough clearance underneath for the unit. Again, I want this to look "factory". Thoughts anyone on fitting? Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

I have a feeling the s13 silvia had a similar setup although i believe the numbers are orange, Have you had a look at the maximite stuff? im starting to plan out a body control module for a locost kit car im aspiring to build using the tft maximite. Other features you may concider could be:. Low fuel pressure alarm: based of the calculation that when intake pressure is >0 fuel pressure should equal base pressure + boost pressure within a tollerance value. Traction control, using a fly by wire throttle in series with your current throttle, when there is a percentage of slip greater than a specific value between the average of the front wheel sensors (vt brake upgrade?) and the gearbox sensor it would close the fly by wire throttle reducing engine power. Your heads up display:. using frequancy to determine speed Automatic head lights off when ignition off. (Relay switching the power source for high and low beam fuses, relay coil power wire connects to the ignition wire with a capacitor in parallel. In theory ignition turns on, charges capacitor and at the same time switches on power to supply the high and low beam fuses. When the ignition turns off the capacitor continues to supply power to the relay until the relay discharges the capacitor enough that it can no longer hold the relay contacts closed, switching off the headlights. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_time_constant) Fading interior light - Put a capacitor in parallel with the globe. Fuel pump failure warning light, (when 2 or more pumps are used) place a check valve in line with the outlet of each pump to prevent back feed pressure, before each check valve have a pressure sensor. in the event of pressure lost the sensor illuminates a warning light / if you have a ebc you could set it up to open the wategate preventing boost from being made.

Seen the Maximite TFT stuff but unfortunately it won't suit the aesthetics of my project. Everything should look like it belongs there. The HUD with simple green numerical display would as well if I can mould it into the dash shroud without it looking out of place. Fading interior light is something I was considering.

Cool to see youre still thinking up ways to put new stuff in the car Surely it's easy to recess a China spec HUD into the dash out of physical sight? I saw your VL at Motorvation a few years ago when you had the iPod dock in it, and remember actually being amazed at how "period-correct" it somehow looked

That was the aim. Even with HUD, the digits must look period correct. Every modification must look like it belongs.

I reckon the pop up GPS idea still has merit.. I might've overlooked it in the thread but is it a hollowed out portable DVD player chassis? Cos VZ SS's have a centre/top dash openable lid that obviously have a smooth lid.. Also VY-VZ with the "premium" climate controls have the dual flip down cup holders, which mount vertically in little slits, and i know you can buy the mechanism seperately to experiment with ---------- Post added 27-04-14 at 12:38 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by sampo [View Post] Fading interior light - Put a capacitor in parallel with the globe. That's an awesomely simple idea

Quote: Originally Posted by yohoes [View Post] I reckon the pop up GPS idea still has merit.. I might've overlooked it in the thread but is it a hollowed out portable DVD player chassis? Cos VZ SS's have a centre/top dash openable lid that obviously have a smooth lid.. Also VY-VZ with the "premium" climate controls have the dual flip down cup holders, which mount vertically in little slits, and i know you can buy the mechanism seperately to experiment with ---------- Post added 27-04-14 at 12:38 ---------- That's an awesomely simple idea Yes it's actually off a CD boombox. This one will take time to develop as I want an 80s "spring action" when the lid pops up. And it needs to do that all the time. Also, how to hide the gaps in the side when it pops up. I don't want to see the mechanism behind the Tom Tom. That will be the crowning glory once it's figured out. Oh, and I would love to do the cup holders but can't figure out where in the dash it can be installed without looking out of place. Needs to look right. If you have any idea of locations let me know. I sat in the car when I was back last and tried to visualise where it could go but so far no revelations.

The VZ SS ones don't exactly look like it's from the future, we're talking Commodores here haha.. It does have a clip/button on the front.. I'll take a photo of it in my ute to give you an idea I imagine fibre glassing the GPS to the compartment lid, and fibre glassing the compartment insides smooth + painting it all same dash colour How the fark did the iPod dock get done? I imagine it's a regular dock thats been fibre glassed in + trimmed the same as the console?? I'm not really very original, but have you just generally had a browse of late 80s Jap and Euro cars to see what awesome "futuristic" stuff they were pumping out in that era, so you can retro-steal their tech? I swear the Nissan Bluebird had a HUD in that sorta time frame iirc