Dashboard cluster modification (w/ pics)

[firzen]

So I have a S5 T2. I'm currently doing my interior right now I figured I could swap in the NA's 9k tachometer in place of my stock 8k tach (I know it shouldn't rev that high but it's a clean and easy modification).

So I find an S5 NA cluster. I take both apart and figured I could hold onto by old odometer and lose the stock boost gauge in favor of the voltmeter. (Already got an aftermarket boost gauge)

During the disassembly, I notice that there are some subtle differences between the PCB boards and began to wonder if they were interchangable. I check the FSM and notice that there isn't any significant wiring variations except that the boost gauge has some outputs.

So my questions are:
1) Would there be problems if I were to use the NA cluster?
2) Is it possible to build a frankenstein instrument cluster out of combination of NA and Turbo cluster components? (i.e. swap PCB boards)

And for the record, I took several pictures to show the differences between the components of NA and turbo models.

Pictures of the clusters' rears (For screw location patterns)
I think the NA was missing a couple screws..?
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01678.JPG
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01679.JPG

The disassembled clusters.
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01680.JPG

Gauge differences and detail:
Boost/voltmeter and oil pressure
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01682.JPG
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01683.JPG
Tachometers
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01684.JPG
Note the PRND plastic bezel for the automatics on the turbo tach.
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01685.JPG
PCBs
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01686.JPG
http://mail.rochester.edu/~kkao2/S5%20T2/Dashboard/DSC01687.JPG

[turbovert91]

That's a good question, I don't know if the voltmeter would work with the TII dash harness. Check the fsm for the vehicle specific wiring to tell where the volt reading comes from in the NA model, you may have to wire it that way yourself if there isn't a provision for it already in the harness. Other than that I would think the NA cluster would work fine in a TII.

[yeti]

I'm pretty sure i read somewhere that the volt metre works.. I'll have to find my source..

Well this isn't my original source but googling "s5 na gauge s5 tii t2 voltmeter boost" yields:
http://forum.teamfc3s.org/archive/index.php/t-23790.html search for volt and the second result will say the volt meter works just fine on a t2 (plug and play)

[firzen]

Good to know. I'll get the cluster reassembled tonight then. :)

Thanks!

[mazda_wes]

i wired a separate volt meter in my car, which i think that you could do in this case. this is the cluster swap that i am going to do in my car soon.

[firzen]

Yes, I could use a separate, aftermarket voltmeter but I like the stock NA's clean look. That compounded with stock T2 boost gauge's poor accuracy is even more reason for me to use the NA's instrument cluster.

[need RX7]

If you figure it out, be sure to post a dumbed down step by step how-to for it. :) I'd like to do this eventually, for the same reasons you stated, but all the electrical stuff goes right over my head. :lol:

[classicauto]

I believe it is entirely possible. Silverrotor a friend of mine has done it on his TII, but I'm unaware of exactly how he did it. I don't know if he's a member over here yet....

[firzen]

There's actually not too much electrical stuff involved- if you look at the FSM, it appears that only the T2's boost gauge has a couple other connections over the NA's voltmeter.

I ended up swapping just the tachometer and voltmeter/oil pressure into my T2 cluster- the rest of the things remain the same. Hopefully that will get installed this weekend. I'll take pictures and post up my findings.

[firzen]

Alright, first gremlin encountered! (Not including myself :))

The voltmeter and tachometer works great, although the tach doesn't seem to be as sensitive as my T2 8k tach. I'm guessing this slight difference is due to the extra 1000 rpms and the needle movement is not as fine.

The other gauges seem to work fine. I haven't tested to see if the speedo/odometer works yet since the steering wheel is out but it should be fine.

HOWEVER. For some hilarious(?) reason, the water temperature gauge is now acting funny- it goes up and doesn't stop until it reaches the top. I'm going to pull the cluster out tomorrow and test the connections. It worked fine before so I'm curious what the culprit is. If anybody's got a clue, let me know.

[misterstyx69]

maybe "that " water gauge is not compatible with the Sender In the car,maybe Faulty??.Is the gauge sender's wire connected.loose.Dirty?..

[yeti]

I don't beleive he changed the water temp gauge. So that wouldn't be it..

[firzen]

I didn't change the water temp gauge. I suspect it might a wire or grounding issue but haven't had time to check it out.

[StarSpeedRacing]

It can be done,
I have seen it and I know it was easy but never had to do it myself yet.

[Skatelement]

You can use an s5 pannel to replace the s4 pannel but you will need to pin the sub harness that plugs to the pannel.
Also the nonturbo s4 pannel can be used in A turbo car just use the na sub harness and plug it in the turbo car harness and you have A volt meter.
By sub harness I mean the short harness that plugs to the pannel with the round plugs and connects behind the pannel to the car main harness.

[Skatelement]

Here is A link with some pinout info on the pannel connection if you need to pin A S5 pannel to fit the S4.
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2ndgen/tech_s4_to_s5_swap.html
Rotaryresurrection page has alot of helpful info and tips listed. Spend some time and just read it all, It explains alot.:driving:

[WE3RX7]

Not sure. I have a S5 NA cluster in my S4 NA, the only thing that didnt work right was the speedo, but that wasnt the cluster's issue... it was the speedo cable.

[firzen]

Since there's activity in this thread again, I might as well provide an update:

Turns out there was something wrong with the one water temperature gauge- I tried all combinations of it with another gauge and the two dash clusters I had. In all cases it was the only weak link so I ended up not using that one.

The tachometer was also fine too. Turns out my throttle cable was a bit stuck too and made me think otherwise.

Fortunately, I'm not dealing with the S4/S5 gauge swaps. :)