Dakota Digital VHX install
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Columbus OH
Nicely done.
I'm not going that far. I'm trying the Edelbrock RPM Power Package.
Besides, I like having at least one carbureted engine in the garage.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Columbus OH
Engine is out. Also bought the zip-corvette total suspension kit.
Anyone want pics of this build too, or are we all experts on suspension and engines?
Anyone want pics of this build too, or are we all experts on suspension and engines?
Last edited by hyteck9; May 23, 2014 at 10:50 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
Hi,
Thank you for the write-up.
I'm planning a LS swap and am considering these gauges as well as I don't want to mess with Abbott boxes, different trans housings etc. As you I really would like to retain the red lenses in the center cluster (headlight warning and door ajar in my case).
How did you design yours to retain the lenses?
Drill the rear cover of the new VHX and clip on the existing lamp socket, reuse (cut, extend) the cardboard tunnels to seperate the light?
Thanks,
Nick
Thank you for the write-up.
I'm planning a LS swap and am considering these gauges as well as I don't want to mess with Abbott boxes, different trans housings etc. As you I really would like to retain the red lenses in the center cluster (headlight warning and door ajar in my case).
How did you design yours to retain the lenses?
Drill the rear cover of the new VHX and clip on the existing lamp socket, reuse (cut, extend) the cardboard tunnels to seperate the light?
Thanks,
Nick
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Columbus OH
Nothing that complicated. The kit comes with "blackout pieces" that you have the option of laying in to prevent the light from shining threw, I just didn't use them on the one side that has the "gen" light.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
Some additional photos from my dakota digital VHX install
I'm running into the same small issues as Brian.
They still don't provide a fixation support for the tach to a A/C dash pad.
Idea nr 1 stolen :
As mentioned before the kit has block off plates for all the center console lenses. I used one for the 'fasten seat belt'. A) it's a natural reflex to wear it and B) it doesn't work as the seat belt interlock has been eliminated. I did wanted to keep my door ajar and headlight lens. Time to Dremel. I used the metal part from the original bezel so I don't have to wory about diameters and material thickness for the lamp sockets. Scrap ABS was used to close the box around the lamp to make it 'light tight'
[
This is the speed transducer to convert the mechanical rotation to a electrical speed signal.
Spend the last two days wiring but ran out of time. It's a very nice kit. I chose the black alloy with white backlight in km/h. (Mandatory that the gauge face shows it)
I'll post some pics next week when I'll be testing
Nick
I'm running into the same small issues as Brian.
They still don't provide a fixation support for the tach to a A/C dash pad.
Idea nr 1 stolen :
As mentioned before the kit has block off plates for all the center console lenses. I used one for the 'fasten seat belt'. A) it's a natural reflex to wear it and B) it doesn't work as the seat belt interlock has been eliminated. I did wanted to keep my door ajar and headlight lens. Time to Dremel. I used the metal part from the original bezel so I don't have to wory about diameters and material thickness for the lamp sockets. Scrap ABS was used to close the box around the lamp to make it 'light tight'
[This is the speed transducer to convert the mechanical rotation to a electrical speed signal.
Spend the last two days wiring but ran out of time. It's a very nice kit. I chose the black alloy with white backlight in km/h. (Mandatory that the gauge face shows it)
I'll post some pics next week when I'll be testing
Nick
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Columbus OH
Just take your time, and label everything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
Very happy, all is working correctly, almost no battery drainage. I now notice that I'm running too cool 
(160F)
As Brian said, removing the dash and the small issues mentioned above during install aside, it's a very easy installation.
I went with the back face, white leds version.
Nick
(160F)As Brian said, removing the dash and the small issues mentioned above during install aside, it's a very easy installation.
I went with the back face, white leds version.
Nick
Last edited by dembo; Mar 14, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 325
Likes: 128
From: Pflugerville TX
Hyteck9, You mentioned this comment about the Tach Filter:
NOTE: We realized the tach filter near the distributor was preventing the control box from picking up the ignition signal for the tach and bypassed it.
Can you elaborate on what this is (part of the kit or existing part in car)? I'm starting my install next week and this looked pretty critical to understand.
Thanks!!!!
NOTE: We realized the tach filter near the distributor was preventing the control box from picking up the ignition signal for the tach and bypassed it.
Can you elaborate on what this is (part of the kit or existing part in car)? I'm starting my install next week and this looked pretty critical to understand.
Thanks!!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Columbus OH
It was an existing part of the car. It dropped the inductance to correlate with the factory gauge ohms rating.
We simply didn't use it.
(Looked a lot like a isolation transformer.)
We simply didn't use it.
(Looked a lot like a isolation transformer.)
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Delmarva Peninsula
Very happy, all is working correctly, almost no battery drainage. I now notice that I'm running too cool (160F)
As Brian said, removing the dash and the small issues mentioned above during install aside, it's a very easy installation.
I went with the back face, white leds version.
Nick
(160F)As Brian said, removing the dash and the small issues mentioned above during install aside, it's a very easy installation.
I went with the back face, white leds version.
Nick
Chappie
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
Hi Chappie,
The dimming doesn't work with our headlight switch so yes you'll have to use their switch. On the other hand, the light intensity can be changed from the menu (both day and night time). I only set them once and never feel the need to change the setting.
Nick
PS If I woud do this again, I'd wait for the new HDX version (when it comes out for the Corvette). You can see it them on the Camaro page http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...od/prd1042.htm
The dimming doesn't work with our headlight switch so yes you'll have to use their switch. On the other hand, the light intensity can be changed from the menu (both day and night time). I only set them once and never feel the need to change the setting.
Nick
PS If I woud do this again, I'd wait for the new HDX version (when it comes out for the Corvette). You can see it them on the Camaro page http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...od/prd1042.htm
Last edited by dembo; Dec 11, 2016 at 09:34 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Delmarva Peninsula
Hi Chappie,
The dimming doesn't work with our headlight switch so yes you'll have to use their switch. On the other hand, the light intensity can be changed from the menu (both day and night time). I only set them once and never feel the need to change the setting.
Nick
PS If I woud do this again, I'd wait for the new HDX version (when it comes out for the Corvette). You can see it them on the Camaro page http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...od/prd1042.htm
The dimming doesn't work with our headlight switch so yes you'll have to use their switch. On the other hand, the light intensity can be changed from the menu (both day and night time). I only set them once and never feel the need to change the setting.
Nick
PS If I woud do this again, I'd wait for the new HDX version (when it comes out for the Corvette). You can see it them on the Camaro page http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...od/prd1042.htm
Right now we're trying to decide on whether to go with white numbers or red numbers. The red would look pretty cool since the interior is red.
Chappie