Let's Install Gauges

[SS32]

No one likes the Leatherz gauges?

Gauge panel:


Gauges:




Subscribed to see the DIY

[JonM]

Originally Posted by SS32

No one likes the Leatherz gauges?

Gauge panel:


Gauges:




Subscribed to see the DIY

Mine are LeatherZ gauges. I just decided to use Stack for something different.

We used to post detailed DIYs, but we have caught people on ebay reproducing them and selling them. I will post some general how-to as soon as I can for the S65 (I am getting married next week which cuts into my mod time), but all LeatherZ gauges come with a 20-30 page detailed instruction manual with torque values, pics, etc.

[bigjae1976]

I vote for the LeatherZ but they all look nice.

[_leon_]

hi!
can be installed in bmw 320d berlina 2009???
Thankss

[wp326]

waiting for DIY...

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by wp326

waiting for DIY...

X2

[tom @ eas]

Vehicle is scheduled to come in this week, we'll need a few days for picture cleanup and tutorials.

We'll be sure to update when ready.

[JonM]

Okay. I will hit the broad strokes of a DIY. LeatherZ gauges come with much more detailed instructions, with pictures, torque values, schematics, and instructions from BMW TIS. For this DIY, I installed oil pressure, water temperature, and voltmeter gauges into my S65 M3 sedan. Other E9X cars are similar, but some senders (like water temp) are vehicle-specific. I used Stack brand gauges, but VDO are very similar, except as noted. All parts and senders came from LeatherZ. Some pricing is still TBD.

To begin, put the front end up on ramps. Remove 17 8mm screws from the forward underbody protection and 3 10mm screws. The underbody protection will come off in 3 pieces. There are 2 pretty slick suspension cables you have to unclip before you can remove the paneling. Once the engine is cool, unscrew the coolant expansion cap. Unscrew the coolant drain plug at the bottom of the radiator on the driver's side. It is blue colored and will require a very large Phillips or flat head screw driver to remove. The plug is one use only. You will get a new one with the LeatherZ water temp kit. About ¾ gallon of coolant will drain out.



In the engine bay, remove the air filter assembly completely. 2 10mm screws, then all the Torx screws around the perimeter of the upper cover. Remove the air filter and unscrew the hose clamp on the air filter side. Remove complete airbox. Also disconnect the smog pump hose and the other hose clamp on the bellows between the airbox and the air collector.

Once the airbox is completely removed, disconnect and remove the upper radiator hose. It is held in place by locking features. Pry them to the unlocked position with a flat blade screw driver. You will need to pry and/or cut the one-use-only hose clamp on the front of the coolant hose assembly. More coolant will drain out of the engine.







Replace the radiator drain plug. Clean all traces of coolant off the engine. Replace the upper radiator hose with the LeatherZ hose assembly. Replace the one-use-only clamp you cut off. Make sure the radiator hose lines up with its alignment features and also that the wire clamps are locked in the down positions. Pull on the hose to make absolutely sure the hose is in place correctly.

For the oil pressure sender, you must remove the air collector. Do not bother trying to unscrew the 2 8mm chrome nuts on the top. Instead, first disconnect the evaporative return line at the front of the collector underneath the area where the bellows from the airbox attaches. You must squeeze and pull at the same time. Also remove the hose at the rear driver's side. Once both hoses are disconnected, loosen each of the 6mm hose clamps at each of the eight throttle bodies. Cylinders 1-3 and 5-7 are easy to see and get to. Cylinders 4 and 8 take more care. You only need to loosen them about 2 turns. Take note, on re-installation, BMW only calls for about X Nm of torque here. Do not over-muscle them! Once loosened, you can lift the air collector straight up and forward to remove it.



The oil pressure switch on the S65 is next to the oil filter. Disconnect the wire harness attached to it, and remove it with a 24mm socket. Replace the oil pressure switch with a LeatherZ oil distribution block. Position the block so that it is not touching anything in the engine. No riding conditions. Use feeler gauges to check if you need to. Sender torque is XX. The stainless braided hose that comes with the distribution block should be routed over near the power steering reservoir. Mount the sender assembly to the bracket holding the reservoir. Make sure you use the supplied ground strap. VDO senders should be mounted as vertically as possible. Cut the connector off of the end of the oil pressure switch wire harness and extend that wire to the "WK" contact on the VDO oil pressure sender. This will insure the idiot light on the dash will still work at the factory 7 psi rating. Note in my pictures, there is an additional T fitting to support the Stack/Autometer sender.





For wire routing, there is a large grommet in the firewall behind and to the left of the clutch pedal. You can easily route wiring through this grommet, but you can also cut a slit if you have to and re-seal with RTV. It will make life easier to remove the cabin air filters and windshield cowlings to see the wires come through on the engine side. Connect wires to the water temperature sender and also to the "G" contact on the VDO sender or whatever brand oil pressure sender you are using. Take care to route your wires and make it look like a factory installation.



The gauges will replace the ashtray assembly. To remove the ashtray, you need to remove the center console cover. Start by removing the shift knob and boot (disconnect the illumination harness). Pull up and the center console cover will unclip and you can completely remove it. You will need to disconnect the power/EDC/DSC wire harness.

Remove the ashtray from the center console cover with 4 screws. Replace with the LeatherZ gauge panel. Install gauges and U-brackets. For electrical connections, tap and solder to the 3 wires under the ashtray: Brown is ground, gray/red is dimmable illumination, and the other is switched power.



Reassemble everything in the engine bay. Re-install underbody protection.

Before you restart the car, be advised you need to replace the coolant you removed. I add about a half gallon of blue BMW coolant and distilled water, then with the expansion cap off, start the engine. Turn interior fan to low and heat to max. Slowly add more coolant until the float is between the min and max marks. The system on the S65 is self-bleeding. After 15 minutes, install the cap and turn off engine.

Check for leaks. Drive the car for 15 minutes. Check for leaks again. Enjoy your new gauges.

[Singletrack]

Great contribution to the community! Thanks!

[JonM]

Originally Posted by _leon_

hi!
can be installed in bmw 320d berlina 2009???
Thankss

Ashtray replacement panel = yes
Oil Pressure sender = yes
Voltmeter = yes
Oil Temp sender = yes
Water temp = not sure. Would take some work on our part first, but probably doable.

[xtremecruiser]

I hate to quote pictures, butt dam they look good !

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Very nice - here's our M3 project with the Macht Schnell ashtray pod installed w/ Stri gauges:







Oil Pressure has not been connected yet, as we're waiting for a distribution block to arrive what will also feed a oil source to the blower.

[hragageles]

Hello ppl,

Anyone know the name of this carbon Fiber... please..!!!!

[hragageles]

Anyone know the Name or reference or where can I buy?
this carbon Fiber... please..!!!!


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[pilotchip]

Originally Posted by hragageles

Anyone know the Name or reference or where can I buy?
this carbon Fiber... please..!!!!


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

I'm no expert, but it looks slightly similar to carbon leather trim.

[WarrantyTracker]

Why oh why does BMW set up the oil pressure idiot lights on 3-series cars at 7 psi? It's sooooo low.

I think the VDO Vision guages are a great match to the stock interior. Do the adapters accomodate them?

[code7rpd]

I used this thread to install gauges - great DIY! For anyone that has installed an oil pressure gauge, I'm curious if you are experiencing a similar issue. My pressures are within spec, but anytime I accelerate the pressure drops slightly by about 10-15 psi and then immediately increases. Even at idle when blipping the throttle I get a drop in pressure (never goes below 20 psi) before it rebounds. This doesn't seem normal - anyone have a similar observation?

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by code7rpd

I used this thread to install gauges - great DIY! For anyone that has installed an oil pressure gauge, I'm curious if you are experiencing a similar issue. My pressures are within spec, but anytime I accelerate the pressure drops slightly by about 10-15 psi and then immediately increases. Even at idle when blipping the throttle I get a drop in pressure (never goes below 20 psi) before it rebounds. This doesn't seem normal - anyone have a similar observation?

I don't have that. However, while cruising, every time I lift the throttle a bit, the pressure would drop a few psi before rebounding.

[FR01]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Since you are looking for both oil temp and the stopwatch - the Performance Steering Wheel might be the alternative you're looking for. Otherwise, the gauge pods are only offered in triple gauge variety.

For those looking for white backlit gauges, here's a couple interior shots of our Project 135 w/ Stri DSD White backlit gauges:

Is the wheel control module configured to pick up oil and cooling temps without any new senders required?

[Dkhan22]

Wish the pictures on this thread still worked :/

[Mturbo]

Originally Posted by Dkhan22

Wish the pictures on this thread still worked :/

Here are mine, hope this helps. My gauges are prostart.

[KawBoy]

Where are you guys installing the MAP sensor for the vacuum/boost gauge?

Thanks.