I picked up some gauges for the rally car this week and I've got an idea of where I would like to install them for greatest visibility without my eyes leaving the road. I know. It's ironic that I'm posting in the Interior/Exterior about fiberglass in the car, but you guys are the experts, so maybe you can offer some advice...

Here's a picture for reference. It's a rally GVR4 (mine is nowhere near this sweet... yet). I'm not looking to do anything to the OEM gauge panel (yet), but check out the dash surface above the cluster and then read on.



I have four matching, white-faced SPI gauges (remember Stillen?) - boost, oil pres., oil temp, coolant temp. They're all 52mm and, aside from the boost gauge, they're all electric, so wiring isn't so much a problem.

What I'm considering, is mounting all four in a nice row across the top of the factory gauge cluster, but making a hood to go over them which imitates the lines of the stock dash (and provides a bit of shade for the gauges during the day so I can read 'em). That is to say, imagine taking four gauges and setting them atop the dash where it goes over the cluster. Then faking the existing dash to cover and secure the gauges.

I sit up so high in the car that I can see the entire hood. There is no "cab forward" design in the Galant like there is in the Talon. If I sat on the floor, these gauges might block my view of the turbo through the hood vents. I like the idea of being able to scan the gauges on my way to check the tach/speedo and back. Seems like the right place to put them, and less attractive to thieves.

It would be very cool if I could install a tinted lexan "window" across the front to help hide the gauges when the car is parked.

I don't think I'd have to worry too much about paint, since I intend to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flocking_%28texture%29 the dash in the future to prevent glare and reflections.

Would it be best to try and mock it up with cardboard sheets or go right to the foam? Will using cheap-o Home Depot brand resins be an issue on something so small and lightweight?

TIA.

Hey bring the vr4 over and we can see what we could build out of fiberglass. You know I did do the supra tails myself, plus a few stereo boxes. So I know the ways of the glass
-Todd

Star Stage II, Greddy Type S, ADFX 3" DP, blah blah blah

Whiird. Appreciate it. We'll have to get together one of these days. For sure.