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C3 "E" Conversion: Digital tach and speedometer readout?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
C3 "E" Conversion: Digital tach and speedometer readout?
I'm doing a 79 L82 Auto "E" conversion; adding EFI with ignition control and a 4L60e transmission. How can I get my speedometer and tachometer converted to digital?
There's no way I'm paying almost $500 to keep using that stupid speedometer cable; it seems crazy to switch everything to digital and then spend $500 to switch it back to analog at the last second: http://www.tciauto.com/tc/speedometer-control-unithtml/
Adam
There's no way I'm paying almost $500 to keep using that stupid speedometer cable; it seems crazy to switch everything to digital and then spend $500 to switch it back to analog at the last second: http://www.tciauto.com/tc/speedometer-control-unithtml/
Adam
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
One option is Dakota Digital (who now sells actual gauges, not just digital displays) or another company that sells on Ebay. Both should sell a replacement gauge set for your car.
I'm using a Dakota Digital VXH gauge set in another application and it works quite well.
I'm using a Dakota Digital VXH gauge set in another application and it works quite well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
One option is Dakota Digital (who now sells actual gauges, not just digital displays) or another company that sells on Ebay. Both should sell a replacement gauge set for your car.
I'm using a Dakota Digital VXH gauge set in another application and it works quite well.
I'm using a Dakota Digital VXH gauge set in another application and it works quite well.
I started looking further ahead in my desired build, and I'm going to need to think through this a lot more...
I really, really, REALLY want to include a 2 DIN sized Apple CarPlay capable stereo and it's going to involve a custom hacked up Gauge Cluster- I can maybe fit 3 gauges in there while making space for a 2 DIN-sized stereo; 2 more will have to be relocated or moved to digital display.
Battery voltage is already displayed by the EFI screen, the clock is a joke; the EFI might/might be able to display engine temps. So I could keep fuel and oil analog gauges and remove the rest to make room for a 2 DIN...
Sigh
I'm thinking start from an aftermarket 1DIN like this and then hack the crap out of it: http://www.corvettemods.com/Corvette...ls_p_6202.html
Adam
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
GM vss puts out twice the amount of pulses per mile so unless your new speedo can convert that to the needed pulses you have to buy something to calibrate it, use gps speedo or if possible use output from factory ecm to aftermarket electronic speedo.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
I'm translating your recommendation to "make sure that the speedometer and tachometer will work with your selected EFI / Electronic Transmission Controller". -Is that what you're saying?
Sorry if I misunderstood something simple. My forum name is "NewbVetteGuy" for a reason; I just started learning about this car maybe 45 days ago and still don't understand some basic things, I'm afraid.
Adam
Last edited by NewbVetteGuy; Jun 15, 2016 at 11:49 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
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From: South Western Ontario
You best bet then is to start with individual gauges and make them fit. The Dakota Digital for the car is made to fit where the factory gauges are so it wouldn't be adaptable to make room for a larger stereo. I'm pretty sure the other who I can't remember the name of also makes circuit boards that fit into the stock cluster ruling it out too. Dakota Digital has universal round gauge setups that could work. But, having to make them fit means you could use any suitable gauge.
The 4L60e has a speed sensor in the tailshaft. You have to connect that to the speedometer and to the transmission controller. I'm not exactly sure what Kaycyc3 is trying to say since every speedometer I've seen which accepts the 4L60e tailshaft speed sensor signal is capable of being calibrated for it. The sensor is not X pulses per mile, it's 40 pulses per driveshaft revolution.
If your EFI uses a newer factory GM PCM then it would have speed and rpm outputs that could drive electronic gauges. I'm doubting you're using a GM PCM though. You seem to be planning for some aftermarket EFI and a transmission controller?
The 4L60e has a speed sensor in the tailshaft. You have to connect that to the speedometer and to the transmission controller. I'm not exactly sure what Kaycyc3 is trying to say since every speedometer I've seen which accepts the 4L60e tailshaft speed sensor signal is capable of being calibrated for it. The sensor is not X pulses per mile, it's 40 pulses per driveshaft revolution.
If your EFI uses a newer factory GM PCM then it would have speed and rpm outputs that could drive electronic gauges. I'm doubting you're using a GM PCM though. You seem to be planning for some aftermarket EFI and a transmission controller?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
You best bet then is to start with individual gauges and make them fit. The Dakota Digital for the car is made to fit where the factory gauges are so it wouldn't be adaptable to make room for a larger stereo. I'm pretty sure the other who I can't remember the name of also makes circuit boards that fit into the stock cluster ruling it out too. Dakota Digital has universal round gauge setups that could work. But, having to make them fit means you could use any suitable gauge.
The 4L60e has a speed sensor in the tailshaft. You have to connect that to the speedometer and to the transmission controller. I'm not exactly sure what Kaycyc3 is trying to say since every speedometer I've seen which accepts the 4L60e tailshaft speed sensor signal is capable of being calibrated for it. The sensor is not X pulses per mile, it's 40 pulses per driveshaft revolution.
If your EFI uses a newer factory GM PCM then it would have speed and rpm outputs that could drive electronic gauges. I'm doubting you're using a GM PCM though. You seem to be planning for some aftermarket EFI and a transmission controller?
The 4L60e has a speed sensor in the tailshaft. You have to connect that to the speedometer and to the transmission controller. I'm not exactly sure what Kaycyc3 is trying to say since every speedometer I've seen which accepts the 4L60e tailshaft speed sensor signal is capable of being calibrated for it. The sensor is not X pulses per mile, it's 40 pulses per driveshaft revolution.
If your EFI uses a newer factory GM PCM then it would have speed and rpm outputs that could drive electronic gauges. I'm doubting you're using a GM PCM though. You seem to be planning for some aftermarket EFI and a transmission controller?
The digital dash that is just the circuit board is Intellitronix and it has the ability to calibrate the vss signal.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
The VSS in the 4L60e and 700R4 use the same reluctor and produce the same signal.
You are probably thinking about the signal after it went through a DRAC, which conditioned it and converter it to a 2000 or 4000 pulses per mile.
And yes, Intellitronix is the name of the other company making a digital gauge package.
You are probably thinking about the signal after it went through a DRAC, which conditioned it and converter it to a 2000 or 4000 pulses per mile.
And yes, Intellitronix is the name of the other company making a digital gauge package.