Gauge Cluster for LS Conversion 69 Camaro

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out which way to go with gauges. I'd like a completely electric aftermarket option. I need to have tach, speedo, oil pressure, volts, temp, and fuel at the least. I'd be interested in options for the full cluster or a set of matching individual gauges.

I would want the gauges to be easily integrated into the Stock GM ECM where possible. I'm guessing the Tach and Speedo definitely can be integrated but the other stuff will probably need it's own sending unit?

I really like the Dakota Digital VHX but I'd like to get by a little cheaper if possible. I do NOT like the completely digital dashes. I like the analog look.

I also like black faced red gauges. It will go with the color scheme that I will eventually have in my car.

What else is out there for options?

Thanks!

[68LS1]

I went with a custom set by New Vintage USA for my 68, running a LS1. Very happy. http://newvintageusa.com/

44301

Found images, I have console gauges also

44305

44306

[Sparks67]

I went with New Vintage 68 series for my 67 RS Camaro, but in the 3 in 1 setup and it was custom ordered.Custom design and colors. http://www.newvintageusa.com/1968.html I also ordered 3 more individual gauges, so I have total of 9. 67-68 Camaro's with factory dash limits you on locations to mount. On a 69 Camaro, you can make a metal panel, so you more options on the gauges.

Jeff

[Bsinclair]

i used the dakota digital vhx series with the bim module. with this module it reads almost all of the information your ecu transmits without running any wires!

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=752/category_id=-1/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd752.htm

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I like the New Vintage gauges and the DD VHX. After perusing the NVU site it appears they are about the same price as DD as well.

Is there a cheaper option that anyone has had good luck with?

I may well buy one of the two above options but if I can find a cheaper option that trips my trigger, then that's money that can be used somewhere else on the car.

[130fe]

Another vote for the DD VHX series with the OBD-II BIM module. I have partly installed mine and I love them. I went from an autometer setup (which I loved) to these and the DD are so much simpler and cleaner to install with a LS PCM.

[Bsinclair]

Another vote for the DD VHX series with the OBD-II BIM module. I have partly installed mine and I love them. I went from an autometer setup (which I loved) to these and the DD are so much simpler and cleaner to install with a LS PCM.

that bim module was the best $100 i spent on the car as it simplified a wiring nightmare into a easy connection..

[Sparks67]

I like the New Vintage gauges and the DD VHX. After perusing the NVU site it appears they are about the same price as DD as well.

Is there a cheaper option that anyone has had good luck with?

I may well buy one of the two above options but if I can find a cheaper option that trips my trigger, then that's money that can be used somewhere else on the car.

Autometer probably be the cheapest option.

I highly recommend New Vintage, because my previous builder was mocking up the custom metal center dash. He was using the custom boost gauge as a mockup. Well, Boost gauge got damaged, so I took it up to New Vintage in Detroit and visited their shop. They replaced the Boost gauge free of charge.

Now if you look at the return policy on Dakota Digital it is only 30 days. http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=page/page_cd=return/returns.htm


So, New Vintage gets my business any time.

Jeff

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I like the New Vintage gauges and the DD VHX. After perusing the NVU site it appears they are about the same price as DD as well.

Is there a cheaper option that anyone has had good luck with?

I may well buy one of the two above options but if I can find a cheaper option that trips my trigger, then that's money that can be used somewhere else on the car.

When I recommend gauges I always remind my customers to choose something they will love cause they will be looking at them for a good part of the day driving. Its like seats another area you shouldn't skimp. Your gonna be spending 500-700 either way you go.

We ran a set of the 3 in 1's on a 68 and they are great. Put together very well.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

We ran a set of the 3 in 1's on a 68 and they are great. Put together very well.

Which brand?

I like the combined gauges as well. Less clutter and kind of late model stock appearance.

[HwyStarJoe]

Went the VHX route. Although I like the configurability and loads of data in the displays, I find I don't use the analog speedo. Just the tach. I prefer to have my speedo in the digital display. With my steering wheel, it's tough to see the speedo gauge.
I do the same thing in the new Camaro or Malibu... I set the speedo up in the center digital display. It's just quicker and easier for me to read.

[glassman]

I went for the Dakota VHx as well in my 70. It was very easy to set up with my LS swap, there were some tricky things (such as the tach, i had to use the 4cyl switch as it has something to do with the pulses) but Dakota has great tech support....and pricing was all about the same, i went for simplicity considering the LS swap can be a little tricky at times. Plus my car is silver and blue and their silver backround and blue lighting looks good with the color scheme

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I went for the Dakota VHx as well in my 70. It was very easy to set up with my LS swap, there were some tricky things (such as the tach, i had to use the 4cyl switch as it has something to do with the pulses) but Dakota has great tech support....and pricing was all about the same, i went for simplicity considering the LS swap can be a little tricky at times. Plus my car is silver and blue and their silver backround and blue lighting looks good with the color scheme

Did you use the gauges by themselves or did you get the special PIM or BIM (or whatever the name is) add-on box to run it through the OBDII?

[Bsinclair]

Did you use the gauges by themselves or did you get the special PIM or BIM (or whatever the name is) add-on box to run it through the OBDII?

im sure he didnt use the module as with the bim module it displays exactly what the the ecm sends it..

[HwyStarJoe]

I didn't use anything other than what came with the gauge kit.

I put the controller under the dash where the dash speaker used to be.
What I did have to do and I didn't like it, was that any idiot light indication that you want to go to the VHX controller had to be cut, and the wire(s) connected to the controller. High beam, Brake, etc.

In my setup, the only thing the controller gets from the engine is the oil pressure and water temp. But they came with the VHX kit. I don't think I have anything going to it from the ECM or TCM. I could be wrong... the swap was a wiring science project because I kept the original LS engine\trans harness.
I do believe the Check Engine MIL is controlled by the ECM, but I'll have to remember how I hooked it up. The ODBII isn't connected to the VHX controller at all in my setup.

Now that I think about it, I DID wire the E40 computer MIL output to the VHX controller. I get trouble codes, but the CIL doesn't come on... probably because they're not major codes. I'm still learning. :)

I have to say that the water temp and oil pressure analog gauges are very accurate. As are the digital read-outs. The fuel gauge is another story. Only because that will depend on your chosen fuel tank\sender setup. I set the VHX digital fuel display to blink when the fuel level gets to 10%... then I have very little time to get to the gas station. If it gets to 8%, I'm on fumes.

[glassman]

Did you use the gauges by themselves or did you get the special PIM or BIM (or whatever the name is) add-on box to run it through the OBDII?

the BIM box comes with the unit. Basically all your wires go into the BIM box and that has a cat5 connector that plugs into the dash. Pretty easy to do, took me a saturday in the garage....used the schematic from the car, an article from a magazine (super chevy?) and went to town....

[glassman]

I do have the check engine light hooked up to a "port" (OBD2) for diagnostic purposes....and there is a wire or two coming from the ECM feeding the BIM its info...but most of its the analog feed from the OEM stuff...(not counting the sending units that Dakota supplies, more like turn signals, lights, etc..)

[HwyStarJoe]

I understand what you're saying now... the controller that comes with the kit isn't a BIM. The BIM's are expansion modules for extra gauges\read-outs above what the kit includes.
The BIM's get connected to the main controller.

I like the CAT5 cabling, but you still have to wire everything else in the car to the controller. It was pretty easy once you pick a spot for the controller.
I don't know how New Vintage gauges get wired. One of the reasons I didn't use them is because I didn't like the letter\number colors or back-lighting choices. He said he could change the script color and back-lights any color I wanted for $250 more.
I passed.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Which brand?

I like the combined gauges as well. Less clutter and kind of late model stock appearance.

We have used both the NV and VHX.

The VHX is nice cause you have 1 cable going to the cluster. Anyone that owns a 2nd gen knows that's a god send for servicing.

I do like the stock appearance of the NV gauges over the cheezy looking CF panel of the VHX. Also wiring isn't too bad on either.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

We have used both the NV and VHX.

The VHX is nice cause you have 1 cable going to the cluster. Anyone that owns a 2nd gen knows that's a god send for servicing.

I do like the stock appearance of the NV gauges over the cheezy looking CF panel of the VHX. Also wiring isn't too bad on either.

I like cheese...I'm from Wisconsin..... :lol:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I like cheese...I'm from Wisconsin..... :lol:

I don't know, its pretty cheezie even for you guys. LOL

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I don't know, its pretty cheezie even for you guys. LOL

Yeah, I'd RATHER have plain black.....but, well, it's not as bad as it could be.

[jeremy30thz]

I also vote for Dakota Digital VHX