The gauge cluster in my MR2 is a product offered by Stack, Inc. in the UK. http://www.stackinc.com. It is sometimes referred to as the SARD Stack in the JDM community, but such is not the case. SARD simply resold the Stack product. This cluster is quite common in Japan. I initially learned of the Stack product during my motorcycle racing days back in 1997-8. Stack offers a variety of race display products for motorcycles as well as cars. The specific models that I have in the MR2 are the ST-8110SR Street Race Display in the dash and the ST-500 Tach Timer on the a-pillar. Both were purchased directly from Stack. At the time of purchase, the ST-8110SR was $2100.00, the ST-500 was $700, and I had an additional $200 in optional components. The housing for the ST-8110SR was custom made with fiberglass. The stock gauge cluster was gutted and the shell was used to make the new gauge housing. Warning lights for the turn signals, high beam, and brake system were installed in the housing. All other indicators are displayed via the race display itelf. The housing for the ST-500 Tach Timer was also custom made of fiberglass and molded to the a-pillar. I had a few other pieces also made with fiberglass along with the gauge housings, all totalling about $1500. The install was rather cumbersome, mainly due to the short wiring loom and my unfamiliararity with the product. The displays come with their own sensors that need to be mounted throughout the car, although I was able to use the stock signal for the tach, fuel level (which doesn't work ) and the speedometer. The other sensors took a couple of days to install (oil temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, water temp, boost) . The wiring loom is just barely long enough for most of the sensors. I had to lengthen the wiring for the oil temp sensor. The sensor and wiring installation cost me $850 the first time I had it done. All in all, the total cost of the first installation (including the gauges) was just over $5000. It could probably be duplicated for less than that, but it would still be expensive even if you managed to do it at half the cost. The 2nd time around the install was much easier since there wasn't anytime spent figuring out how everything worked. I took a couple of evenings installing the engine bay sensors, and having access to a lift (thanks to Finishline Motorsports in Marietta, GA) for a couple of days was a HUGE advantage. I needed a couple of elbow fittings for the oil pressure sensor, had to remove the oil pan for the oil temp sensor. Reinstalling the oil pan was the hardest part of the sensors. I broke the oil level sensor removing the oil pan, but it's not a big deal since I don't have the stock gauges to display the error light anyway. Having a wiring diagram is an absolute requirement. This time around I made connectors for the setup so it could be easily removed, which was a big advantage over my last install. I plan to modify the housing at some point in the future to accomodate 60mm gauges, although I doubt that will happen anytime soon since I stand a good chance of destoying custom housing in the process. There are many other gauge options available in 60mm, and I want something that is backlit blue to match the other gauges. I also plan to change out the brass elbow fittings that connect the sensors in the engine bay since I really don't trust those. All of that being said, I must say love the setup. The blue backlight at night is awesome. You will see this setup featured in the opening scenes of Apotheosis. It is the most commonly inquired about modifications and is my personal favorite. Was it worth it? Well, it's hard to say. There was alot of time and money involved. I'd say it is worth it now that I have a car that actually runs. Having all of that tied up in a car that didn't run very often was quite frustrating. Just like any major untertaking, it will always cost more money than you plan on if you want it done right. I'll have pics soon to follow. |