I got to thinking--- I'de like to see the follow add-on or option:

When the vehicle is COLD (eg. 6kish limit, no vtec) I'de like to see the "RED" lines move to the 6kish mark... not stay at 9k and surprise me (yes, yes.. I know look at the engine temp...still)

Now, for the really cool one (IMHO):

I'de like the RPM gauge to stay the way it is BUT with a GREEN bar which show "IF" you down shifted NOW you would end up at "THIS" rpm (a 1/4" BAR perhaps on the tach)... and if that bar isn't there (As you see it also rise to 9k) you know it's not okay to down shift... granted, you learn this stuf, but sometime I'm focusing on RPM and not speed... Just thought it would be a cool idea.

...late night thought, (Yes, I've been drinking Tea, so I'll be posting more posts!!!)
Aaron

 

Hmm theoretically possible, but it would need a microprocessor in itself to figure it out.

Basically, the green portion which shows you the correct rpm to blip to in order to downshift will be a function of gear ratio and road speed... hmmm thoroughly doable.

But whathappens if you do a 4 to 2 shift multiple colours?? nah you would keep into the gear ratio below the one you are in.

Hey this is a good idea...

 

I would like to see a full panel of analogue gauges - tach, speedo, water temp, fuel & oil pressure. White face, black numbers and orange needles.

 

No, it would show that 3rd gear would give... not 2nd... eg: Your bad for being in 4th too soon. However, if your doing 80 in 4th, it should show a "green" line at like 8k.... if your doing 30mph in 4th, it would show "green" at like 1.5k. Nothing "super" fancy, just an indication of "If I down shift into the next lower gear"... This could help with double clutching too.

-- Aaron

 

M5 has the progressive Redlive while warming up, indicated by LED's in the tach. And it doesnt take long to learn the speeds at which you can downshift.

 

I like this idea - gee amartin..

well, yes I can double clutch etc and all that already, and yes it would be gimmick for me - but still, I think it is a great idea nonetheless.

Would be a good learning tool I think for many ppl as well.

OK, anyway from a practical standpoint, we need:

1) To calculate the relevant rpm at each gear for the gear ratios range of speed.

2) Program that into a processor

3) Then display.

1&2 are prolly quite easy, mebe not 2.. but anyway, 3 would be impossible on the stock setup, you would need to add in multicoloured LEDs or something...

 

Anything is attainable in this world today with regards to cars. It's just finding the good mechanic/technician to do so. Oh how I wish "Q" was real :-)



simon2000
toronto, canada

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by simon2000
[B]

 

amartin,

Not only is this a doable idea, but it's not that difficult either (at least from a concept side of things). We already have access to the current RPM from the ECU, and with the known gearing ratios one could easily calculate the 'downshifted' RPM. In fact, I think the LEDs for the new display would cost more than the microprocessor needed to run it. Bare-bones parts cost would be around $40. Of course, this assumes we could chop into the stock dash to add more LEDs surrounding the stock LEDs (someone will need to check that out first).

 

None of the stuff on the dash means anything unless you look at it. I find that I glance at the dash little on the track, and where I really need the tach I don