More sensible instruments?

[dnb]

I'm getting a bit tired of the speedo & odometer in the Griff. It seems to spend more time on the bench being repaired and reset than it does in the car measuring miles. This isn't going to be ideal when I have the new dash and want to actually bolt the speedo in the car.

Can anyone suggest any replacement parts that are with the rest of the car? (I don't mind changing the other gauges to match, as long as the cost isn't huge) I like the idea of a digital odometer (+ trip computer would be really good, but I suspect I won't get this unless I make it...)

Can the type of dials from the last 100 type Griffs still be obtained? These would be reasonably close to what I want assuming they cam be bought in the right colour.

Thanks

[Chimjunkie]

Apparently these guys supplied TVR:

http://www.caigauge.com/Caerbont_Automotive_Instruments.htm 

I'm looking for an oil temperature gauge to match existing dials.

[350Matt]

Alternatively you can use another water temp sensor plumbed into your oil circuit and then use a switch to change from the water to the oil sensor?

Matt

[Pete500]

Thats a good idea Matt. A rotary switch and you can measure water, oil, gearbox and diff temp on the coolant meter.

[DarkMatter]

I'm sorry I can't help you with sourcing new instruments but if I was reworking my dash I would ditch the clock and move the temperature guage to that position so that all 'vital signs' can be read at one glance.

The space then vacated by the temperature could be used for a small 'eyeball' vent (connected to the heater system) to direct warm air onto the drivers right hand and the side window. I've no idea what difficulties there may be in accomplishing the above.

[dnb]

DarkMatter - that's a damn good idea!

I've already re-arranged the dash quite a lot, so a bit more won't hurt
The only snag I can see is getting the vent to be properly ducted, but I expect it can be overcome somehow...

What were the eyeball vents in the last 100 Griffs from? A Lotus Elise, wasn't it?

[DarkMatter]

dnb said:

DarkMatter - that's a damn good idea!...

I'm glad you like the idea. Keep us posted here on your progress.

dnb said:

What were the eyeball vents in the last 100 Griffs from? A Lotus Elise, wasn't it?

I'm sorry, I can't help you with that one.

[spend]

I thought we discussed new dash panels some time ago Dave? The world is your oyster if you make your own dash panel Most people seem to be limited by requiring TVR logos on the instruments. A lot of the vanilla CAI & ETB dials are much easier to install, revC works from ECU output, Speedo can be self calibrated...

I still like big analogue main instruments personally, but maybe a multi function digital display to replace the right hand minor dial wouldn't look too out of place.

Keeping the dash simple and considering carputer with touch display is the way to go tho IMHO

Dave

[dnb]

We did indeed Dave. I have a plywood prototype in the car now

The problem is that the standard speedo and rev counter are beginning to wear out!

I'd quite like a multi-function display, but I do like the separate dials. (TVR logo not required)

Carputer is under consideration, but there's not much space!

[spend]

It would be worth contacting CAI (I assume you have later dials) to see if they would put the new generic mechanisms in your existing dials. Check the website, I'm pretty sure there are versions where you can select how the RC is driven by dip switches and the same for the speedos. Doing away with the driver for the rev counter (due to coil packs) and being able to self-calibrate the speedo is a big plus IMHO.

Dave
ETA: CAI, Caerbont..., Speedy, Greengauges are all aliases of a single entity AFIK.... there may be more

Edited by spend on Tuesday 8th January 22:28

[Hoover.]

I have a self calibrating speedo, with digi odimeter and various other functions..... all with the TVR logo...... even got it set with mileage from the old one.... came from not so Speedy Cables.

Only problem is its not working since I had dash changed, but I think this is a wiring issue and not an issue with the instrument.

Hoover.

[Stilly]

The last 100 Griff SEs used the tuscan Mk 1 vents in brass.

Douglas Valley are currently breaking 2 x Tuscans so may be able to supply...

[Pupp]

Well, I've cut a 4th 52mm hole to the left of the speedo, which presently has a dedicated oil temperature gauge fitted (good mod but scary quite how long it takes for oil temperature to come up). Am now contemplating cutting a further hole of the same size to the right of the tacho (if there's enough room behind)... will relocate the clock into this and use the vacated oem clock hole for my new Innovate XD-16 Air/fuel gauge

Otherwise I quite like the standard(ish) layout

[Pasco]

Oil Temp guage for me please

[Chimjunkie]

Putting an oil temp gauge in myself. Where is the best place to put the sender? and what type of sender?

Cheers,

Jon.

[spend]

You need a sender matched to the gauge you are going to use. All seem to be stuck in the sump plug, I find it a PITA TBH, and if doing it again would try it in one of the galleries near the oil pump. Lot less wiring, doesn't foul connector on the exhaust, and will probably not get over cooled like the sump + bottom of the sump is probably the coolest point to take oil temp.

Dave

[Bluebottle]

Been thikning about installing an oil temp guage myself. I also want to fit an extenral oil cooler, and was thinking i could use the sandwich plate or pipework to house the temp sender?

[Norbert500]

The analogue clock stays....

[Pasco]

Norbert500 said:

The analogue clock stays....

Surely that's up to Dave

[spend]

Bluebottle said:

Been thikning about installing an oil temp guage myself. I also want to fit an extenral oil cooler, and was thinking i could use the sandwich plate or pipework to house the temp sender?

You can and should get the sandwich plate with the integral thermostat. Running without a stat is not sensible, as oil would be overcooled as well as warm up being compromised. Using an external stat is a bit problematic, really you want as short a run of pipe to the stat but to keep it away from the heat of the Y-piece I ended up with mine just under the rad. So I would advise the integral stat version, and you have less pipework to try & fit in (& joints to seal..) as well

You can get the sandwich with tapping for temp/pressure sensor, but I'm not sure how much room you would have to fit them. Mine is a pre-serp and the oil pipe unions are very tricky to connect as the diagonal chassis stays interfere when you are tightening them up. You also have to route the pipes where they can be firmly fixed to those members, carefully avoiding pulley or Y-piece rubbing or melting thro your precious oil arteries, which limits the rotational position you can fit the sandwich plate.

There is of course the option to fit a complete take off & remote filter which you could consider, but IMO we don't have room in nice cool places to fit such external plumbing and I am always concerned (not worried just aware) about pressure drop using any pipe run?

If its just an oil temp you want, you can get a tee to put both the switch & sensor into a single tapping & use the free one for a temp sensor (there is actually a combined switch & sensor available - ETB site IIRC).

Dave