Aftermarket gauge location in 3rd gen...
 

I'm going to be buying a third gen (think i've decided on an '87 Z-28 as my project) in the next 2 weeks and will be starting on it in October. But I'm looking at dropping a very stout 383 in it backed with either a T-56 BW or a Richmond 6 speed and ALOT of suspension upgrades (just about all of them.. even thinking about a 6/8pt cage to help stiffen things up).

So I'm gonna be tearin the stock dash out and making a custom gauge panel but I'm trying to figure out where I can put gauges (2 1/16") besides in the given space for the factory dash. I don't want a pillar if i can help it. I was thinking of the space to the right of the dash area and above the radio/hvac controls. Like making a custom box that'll fit in that area and be angled towards me for easier viewing.

So my question is has anyone on here done something like that before? (If so PLEASE post pics so i can see lol right now I'm just pulling ideas outta thin air) or do you have any better ideas? In addition to trying to avoid a pillar pod (which is an option...) I'm trying to keep the top of the dash clean. Basically I'm going for a stock outside appearance.

Thanks :)

-Chris

I dont run a radio in my 88 or 84 so I made a plate to go into the radio hole and installed gauges in there. Plus there is a ton of room for you to run the wires for all your gauges and routing is easy.


Dustin

I have seen quite a few things in 3rd gens....

mounting a gauge on to of the steering column
mounting a gauge pod up on the ceiling above the rear view mirror
mounting gauges above and below the dash pad in the center
mounting gauges outside on the hood
Replacing the gauge cluster
Mounting gauges in the center console
gauges on A pillers (I know you said you didn't want that)


Just some ideas. Sorry I don't have pics all where in cars at the drag strip.

I was thinking about making a panel for them to go under the dash in that open area but wasn't sure how that'd look. When you saw them did they look good?

Thanks for the reply's :)

You mean under the dash pad? There where 3 gauges. A WB, boost gauge and what looked like trans temp. All he had was then basically bolted through the pad hanging under the vents in the middle The gauges looked okay there but his setup looked unfinished with the wires hanging down going down behind the center console.

You could probably fab a clip or something to tuck a gauge in the corner of the right in front of the driver's side vent. without too much interference.


Heck the third gen dash could hold like 20 gauges if you went really crazy :lol:

http://i42.tinypic.com/20rtpjq.jpg

the hole under the radio, ive seen them there they look good as long as you fab work also does