Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Replacement Dash, Instruments and Steering Wheel

  1. #1
    Kim
    Kim is offline
    Fermion Kim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    71
    Country
    Denmark

    Replacement Dash, Instruments and Steering Wheel

    I was never all that happy with the SPA dash panel inasmuch as it only offered idiot lights and/or difficult-to-see instrument readings for critical engine conditions. On the track, the dash is particularly lacking. Here's the original SPA dash and SPA wheel, shot from a low angle. If you're six-feet or more, you can't see the top half of the tach or speedo - a problem many others have noted.



    Once again, I asked my brother Alan's shop to design a new CF dash to include racing-quality gauges, all the while maintaining the look-feel of the original. Here's what he came up with:



    As you can see, we now have separate and easy-to-read oil pressure, oil temp, and water temp gauges offset to the right (already installed in the top photo); a vivid F430-like tach with built-in shift lights; and a speedo that runs on GPS (no more tire/wheel speed inaccuracies) that includes a variety of very cool programmable functions like 0-60 timing, digital speed readout, etc. There are also very large indicator lights, including oil pressure warning, etc. Forward of the shifter is the new programable fuel gauge in a custom housing.

    To the left of the center dash console is a small CF dash that has the transponder and other switches. And the MOMO formula wheel is great! It has surprisingly wonderful feel and control, while offering much improved visibility of the dash. Alan relocated the horn button onto the wheel (a safety must-have in my book), as well as a radio PTT switch. Because of the D-shape, it's also much easier to get into and out of the car without removing the wheel. Granted, the replacement wheel would have improved the legibility of the SPA dash, I nevertheless like the larger easier-to-read replacement gauges.

    An F1-style progressive multi-color shift light will soon be mounted onto the wheel, the photos of which I will post later.
    Last edited by Kim; June 9, 2011 at 10:42 AM.
    Kim
    2010 Atom 3 #131 - K20R/DBW Stage Two
    "I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather; not screaming and terrified like his passengers."

  2. #2
    Neutrino Norm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Lake Tapps, WA
    Posts
    2,223
    Country
    United States
    That's is a whole lot better than the SPA

  3. #3
    Neutron
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    2,677
    Country
    United States
    That looks great. I dont think I have the ambition to rewire harness to get something like that to work.

    Though I would love to replace my aluminum accessory dash with a CF one


  4. #4
    AWESOME! He have any interest in making another one?

  5. #5
    777
    777 is offline
    Up Quark
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    16
    Country
    Canada
    Yeah, very nice. I'd like to get a quote on one as well. Cheers, Mike

Similar Threads

  1. Dash mount shift light option?
    By Payne in forum General Ariel Atom Discussion (for all UK and US versions)
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: May 15, 2011, 04:03 PM
  2. Brammo Ariel Atom 2 Dash Reset Fix
    By Terry Kennedy in forum Service Bulletins, Recalls, Retrofits, and Updates
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: April 28, 2011, 07:48 PM
  3. Replies: 7
    Last Post: April 27, 2011, 09:42 AM
  4. A 55 second dash in our old Atom
    By Gage in forum Photo and Video Galleries
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: April 25, 2011, 08:55 AM
  5. custom accessory dash install
    By bolus in forum Electronics & Gadgets
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: September 27, 2010, 11:14 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •