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View Full Version : Doing an M2-1001 instrument cluster "clone"...



Chops
05-01-2012, 08:53 PM
I've been looking and at random pictures of the M2-1001 online (very few available actually), and realize that I really like the looks of the gauge cluster in them. The tried and true classic look. The proper roadster look.

At any rate, I'm waiting for some stuff of mine to sell on CL, and once that happens, I want to find an old cluster that I can pull apart and custom fit a new panel with some nice aftermarket gauges, something like Stewart Warner, VDO or possibly even Smiths. The Smiths ones will be a very long stretch.

With the SW line, I'm looking at either the 6-piece Wing series or 7-piece Cobra series. In the Cobra series, I wouldn't use the Amp gauge.

With the VDO line, I'd use either the 6-piece Series 1. The only thing with these is that they say something about a Ford or Chevy transmission sender for the speedometer.


Anyway, I'm just wondering how difficult it would be to do this. I've read that the NA cluster is actually quite basic and can be tapped into straight from the two wiring harnesses that plug into it. IF I do this, I'll take my time, make it look M2-1001 stock (or at least as close as possible) and have it so it is pretty much "plug & play".

Now I just need to find that NA cluster schematic again that I saw last night.

If any of you have done this, have more information on it, links, pics, whatever, please let me know.

Many thanks in advance! :wink:

http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv198/aaa-111/streetstyle/streetmiata/gaugefaces/cimg1635.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/c0dyblah/other%20miatas/gauge.jpg

M2-1002
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/JamieRThomson/eBay/P100076204800x600.jpg

V-Special
http://www.thebluepotato.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/p11.jpg

morr
05-02-2012, 01:03 AM
Unfortunately I have nothing to offer other than to say how freaking amazing those last two are... :shock: Actually, have you tried contacting Adam (Revlimiter) about the wiring, reproduction, etc?

druz
05-02-2012, 02:15 AM
This is the rear of a 1001 cluster, pretty simple.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fqejVsdCj1A/T2FRjMYyl2I/AAAAAAAAAhU/1xMA3XkeEPI/s800/m2%2B1001%2Bgauges%2B3.jpg

The traces on the back of the standard cluster are labeled so it's easy to figure out without a diagram.

Phatmiata
05-02-2012, 05:30 AM
Unfortunately I have nothing to offer other than to say how freaking amazing those last two are... :shock: Actually, have you tried contacting Adam (Revlimiter) about the wiring, reproduction, etc?


Or just have Revlimiter make a set of faces that "look" like the M2 version. That would look cleaner, and be easier too.

morr
05-02-2012, 06:19 AM
That was my initial thought. I just wasn't sure how difficult it'd be to actually create almost an entire cluster from scratch vs. just the faces themselves.

modernbeat
05-02-2012, 08:05 AM
I think there are vintage motorcycle gauges that are closer to the M2 gauges than just about anything currently on the market for cars.

Chops
05-02-2012, 08:17 AM
Actually, have you tried contacting Adam (Revlimiter) about the wiring, reproduction, etc?

I haven't contacted him at all about this actually. Not yet anyway. It seems fairly simple as there's only like two dozen connections if that to be made.



This is the rear of a 1001 cluster, pretty simple.

The traces on the back of the standard cluster are labeled so it's easy to figure out without a diagram.

Thanks for that shot! I've been searching for a shot like that of the M2 cluster, but just couldn't dig anything up. I think the most difficult part will be sourcing a pair of mating connectors to go with the stock harnesses in the car so I can just "plug & play". That and getting a speedometer that the speedo cable will work with unless it can be easily switched over to an electric speedo instead of a mechanical. This I have to research.



Or just have Revlimiter make a set of faces that "look" like the M2 version. That would look cleaner, and be easier too.

I disagree. No doubt Adam makes great looking gauge faces. Unfortunately, no matter how good his gauge faces are, there's no possible way of swapping the tach and speedo to the opposite sides of the cluster. Also, I think the M2 cluster is a much simpler, cleaner design than the stock NA cluster.



That was my initial thought. I just wasn't sure how difficult it'd be to actually create almost an entire cluster from scratch vs. just the faces themselves.

Again, I don't think it will be that difficult. There's not much going on in the stock NA cluster. Not to mention it will be totally unique.

revlimiter
05-02-2012, 11:04 AM
I disagree. No doubt Adam makes great looking gauge faces. Unfortunately, no matter how good his gauge faces are, there's no possible way of swapping the tach and speedo to the opposite sides of the cluster. Also, I think the M2 cluster is a much simpler, cleaner design than the stock NA cluster.



Agreed. Due to the sweep of the M2-1001 gauges, I've never tried to replicate them. I've had thoughts of doing the 1002 design for a while, but not the 1001.

http://revlimiter.net/cr/1001.jpg

A lot of the charm, for me, lies in the sweep. The 4 gauge setup is nice. The thin gauge rings are great. The individual glass is wonderful. But the gauge scale, for me, is the thing that puts it over the top. The 1002 design is a little too stock-like. The 1001 is artwork.

As for your project... it's a great idea... but you really might consider just sourcing a 1001 cluster and installing that. It's hard to improve upon perfection.

oldcafe
05-02-2012, 11:30 AM
out of curiosity, why the 1002 tacho in this pics are scaled in miles ?

revlimiter
05-02-2012, 12:03 PM
It's probably got a converter gear (or resistor?) installed. I've had a few UK based customers with converters in their speedometers. Imagine having a 180 mph speedo!

Phatmiata
05-02-2012, 02:20 PM
If you are looking to buy an OEM M2-1001 Gauge Cluster you are gonna spend a cool grand easy when its all said and done, and it will count miles and speed in KPH anyhow.

You could also save some money and get a similar style panel from RS-Products and and some vintage looking gauges from Revlimiter, AWD, RS-Products, etc.

3370

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7136055509_586dc1853f_o.jpg

oldcafe
05-02-2012, 02:23 PM
mhh Adam, if you look carefully the picture seems to have the double scale, the last number is 180 but has been deleted with black pen, also thewritten km / h has been cleared the k
I do not remember who owns this cluster,was on sale in UK on the mx5nutz time ago

revlimiter
05-02-2012, 04:32 PM
^ you're right! I saw the blacked out k in the center (km/h becomes m/h) but didn't notice the blacked out numbers. Good eye.

BTW, there's been a few M2-1001 clusters on sale recently. A couple on CR, and a steady stream on yahoo japan. They're not the hardest to get item. You might only have to wait a few weeks for one to show up for sale, Chops.

Jamie
05-02-2012, 04:40 PM
Excuse the dust (inexcusable I know! ;) ). Below are a couple of iphone pics of my m2-1001.

Once I've finished other jobs on the car, I was planning on asking Adam about doing a MPH version of the speedometer, so I could go without the sticker.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15854148/M2-1001/2012-05-02%2018.30.54.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15854148/M2-1001/2012-05-02%2018.31.03.jpg

revlimiter
05-02-2012, 05:32 PM
If you can scan your gauge face for me at a nice resolution, it would be no problem!

Chops
05-02-2012, 06:29 PM
Jamie, stop me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the M2-1002 cluster that Adam was talking about on the previous page?


Randy, those KG Works clusters aren't all that cheap, quickly approaching the $1k mark on their own.


Adam, I suck when it comes to trying to look shit up on Yahoo Japan. LOL

vote4pedro
05-02-2012, 06:43 PM
First off, Adam is right. The 1001 clusters pop up all the time on Yahoo Japan. There is a Brand New one up for sale right now, but 138,000 yen is pretty steep. I would also be hesitant on doing the wiring for them. I would think you would need the appropriate NA6 wire loom since that was the model they were made for.

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h163617408

The only thing I dislike on them is an idiot lite for oil. WTF? A vintage set up like that should have a vintage oil gauge too IMHO. I have been wanting to do something similar looking to the M2 1001 gauges, while retaining the stock gauges and a oil gauge. I like the KGW panel, but I was never fond of the KGW gauge rings.

While lurking on Yahoo Japan I found what Randy mentioned earlier, a discontinued new RS Products Type-01 gauge panel that RSP was selling as an M2 1001 style gauge panel. I attached some pics of it. It uses the factory NA gauges, but has a very nice M2 style look and feel. The deep gauge rings just add to it. I will just need to get some decent gauge faces to go with the panel. A less expensive alternative to sourcing the genuine gauge set up.

33713372

Phatmiata
05-03-2012, 05:29 AM
I wasn't aware that they discontinued that version? I'll have to see about finding one now just to compare it to the KGW and AWD versions. The rings do look spot on to a M2 car though!!

vote4pedro
05-03-2012, 11:24 AM
I wasn't aware that they discontinued that version? I'll have to see about finding one now just to compare it to the KGW and AWD versions. The rings do look spot on to a M2 car though!!

Yeah, I tried to purchase one through Rev9 when I found out they are no longer being produced last year. They still have the panels listed on the RS Products site though.

Chops
05-03-2012, 01:25 PM
So does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions as to how an aftermarket speedo would connect to the stock speedo cable? Or does it need to be replaced?