Instruments

Merv and Sharon · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 03:44 AM

I will soon take delivery of a rolling chassis from Warwick Harrison and have been thinking about all the things that one does at this stage.... One of which is which instruments to use. I guess the short answer is anything that gets it registered, but I was thinking of a set of Smiths' gauges (Tacho, Speedo, fuel, oil press, and water temp). I have heard that these are more expensive than the VDO ones but is that true and have others found the Smiths sets easy to install?

Merv

BMK · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 05:15 AM

Merv and Sharon

I have used the VDO instruments with the Smith faces.

These are made up and distrubuted by Roger at Howard Instruments in Heidelberg in suburban Melbourne, Victoria.

Both Roger and his Father Ian are keen auto nuts and just cannot do enough for you.
My entire set including clock and all senders was around $1300 - about 5 years ago and I do think they have gone up much since.

Try www.howardinstruments.com.au

BMK · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 05:26 AM

Over time I have found the following to be a good source of parts

Kenmer Engineering for wheels and spinners Martin on 03 9 701 6037

Doug Pearse for general repairs, painting and some assembly/finishing of Cobras in Lilydale Victoria.

Finishline on the forum here for general jewellery parts either Enzo or Paula

Chris at McDonald Brothers Racing for engine work and chassis work and set up. Melbourne 039 4650000

Have fun...

Rebel1 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 06:18 AM

Merv, Don't know what state you're from but as Bernie says...VDO cockpit vision with or without the changed faces.

If you are close to Queensland the company to change faces here are Lionel Otto Instruments at Moorooka.

sambo · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 06:32 AM

Welcome to the forum Merv and Sharon. My Harrison is on the way too - what state are you based in? I've done a fair bit of research for the build and there is a whole lot more knowledge here on the forum, so ask away.

Sean Mullins makes a very nice aluminium tank for the Harrison if you're not using Warwick's. Classic and Vintage Light Bulbs in Adelaide can also supply lights/lenses at a reasonable price and the service is excellent. http://www.classicandvintagebulbs.com/

Cheers,
Paul

stephen low · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 07:46 AM

Can indicate Howard Smith's refaced gauge set including senders, plugs and adaptors but without a clock cost $1300 in Dec 2006. VDO stock set would have cost about $700 - 800 I think.

More original styled smiths out of UK are around $1800 - 1900 ie mechanical units.

You must have metric speed units and a 6 digit odometer otherwise it is open slather on choice.

Cheers

raw · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 03:18 AM

Hi Merv
The VDO gauges are about $750 .00 and you can have the pointer painted out and chrome bezels fitted which would add about $180.00 . What i like about the VDO speedo isthat it can be calibrated at will in the cockpit . The smiths will need a power supply to the fuel gauge and the water and oil will need a voltage regulator .
With the reverse light see if the MGB lights still comply , i have used the Ford Au Ute light cut into the body . Make sure the reflectors are also ADR ther getting very picky . The Motor Litor wheel is also a none ADR compliance part so if you like one fit it after .
Have Fun from RAW

WKB · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 03:44 AM

Merv,
I bought all my gauges and senders from Abel Instruments at Loganholme who were the agent for VDO when I bought my gauges a couple of years ago. They were VDO cockpit vision. They painted the pointers white and replaced the black bezels with chrome ones(Smith replicas). If you try Ottos it is worth the drive down to Loganhlme for a second price.

As RAW said, make sure you reflectors are ADR current when your engineer submits your approval paperwork.
Last week I had a phone call from the engineer to tell me the Qld Transport had not approved my car because the reflectors were not ADR approved. The reflectors, which were Hella were ADR approved when I bought them, but from that time to when the inspector was going through the apllication Hella withdrew them from the market. They are now no longer ADR approved.
Six dollars for two new ADR approved Narva reflectors, a couple of photographs emailed to the inspector and now the car is approved.

Warren

Aussie Mike · #9 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 04:09 AM

Another option is Autometer. I brought these in from the US through Summit Racing. From memory about $1200 landed but with the current strong Aussie dollar possibly less now.

They are nice and big and clear to read. The 3 across the top are all mechanical Liquid filled quages. They are very accurate and the needles don't jump about. All the small guages are 2 5/8" which is a bit bigger than your normal guages. The Speedo and Tacho are 5".

Cheers

Merv and Sharon · #10 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 09:49 PM

Many thanks guys! This helps a lot!

Merv

CHANMADD · #11 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 10:38 PM

What steering column is that ?

Aussie Mike · #12 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 01:44 AM

The Column is from a Suzuki Swift from the mid 80's

Cheers

BMK · #13 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 06:55 PM

Aussie Mike

Mike - Suzuki whaaaat...

Aussie Mike · #14 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 07:13 PM

Or Holden Barina, it's the same thing.

Cheers

Nvenm8 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 10:25 PM

As we are using a carbon fiber dash we decided to go for the smiths telemetrix gauges and a F1 Motorsport Tacho with a telemetrix bezel. (Pics are in my gallery)

The whole set was around $1400 but this doesn't include shipping as they were shipped from the UK with some other heavier items, so I'm not too sure what the shipping would have been for just the gauges, i'd guess about $120.

Jamie

boxhead · #16 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 11:15 PM

Hi there Jamie, Ijust had a quick look in your gallery.
I noticed you are fitting AP brake calipers, they dont appear to have a dust seal.
I am fairly certain that these calipers may not pass ADR regulations.
Others on here may be able to be more specific.

Aussie Mike · #17 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 11:21 PM

Hi David, APs have an internal dust seal and are one of the few performance calipers that do qualify. I think they are OEM on a few different production cars much like the Brembos used on the FPV cars. I have a feeling HSV might be using them instead of the Harrop calipers now.

Cheers

Nvenm8 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 11:33 PM

It's good that people are keeping on top of all this stuff :-)

Yep, Mike is right, the AP's run internal dust seals called wiper seals and you can 'apparently' fit secondary external seals if you do alot of dusty driving. The car will see a fair proportion of track time so didn't want the Porsche problem of burnt dust seals after track days.

Jamie

P.S. Mike good luck with your imminent compliancing

boxhead · #19 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 12:01 AM

There ya go, I wasnt sure but the right answer was out there.

NASSTY · #20 (**permalink**) 07-10-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nvenm8

As we are using a carbon fiber dash we decided to go for the smiths telemetrix gauges and a F1 Motorsport Tacho with a telemetrix bezel. (Pics are in my gallery)

The whole set was around $1400 but this doesn't include shipping as they were shipped from the UK with some other heavier items, so I'm not too sure what the shipping would have been for just the gauges, i'd guess about $120.

Jamie

I've used these guages too. Got them from Howard Instuments here in Melb for about $1300 landed from memory