36 replies to this topic

[vxmagpie]

Hi all,

After 6 weeks of blood, sweat and tears, I've finally finished the installation of my Race Technology Dash 2. Definitely not for the faint hearted!! It has been a proper mission to get it to work with the existing VX wiring loom and various systems and sensors. I've had to fabricate a lot of stuff and also had to make some auxiliary looms and add in some auxiliary warning lights and buttons.

Anyway, see what you think.

 

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I hope the links work; it’s the first time I’ve used PhotoBucket.

Edited by techieboy, 26 July 2014 - 09:48 PM.
Fixed embedded images

[FLD]

Looks awesome.  Top work

[hairy]

Good work magpie!   post up some details

[Jason]

Looks great, what features has the dash got?  Data-logging?

[J13ME]

That looks seriously cool

[Rickwoo118]

Jesus that does look nice. Did you do it all yourself?

[Rickwoo118]

How do you go on with the current vehicle mileage? I take it the new panel was set at zero when you have installed it?

[Cookies220]

Oh my word!  That is seriously nice!

Well done that man!

[Hark]

Very impressive. As above what does it display?

[Ormes]

Top job that

[out on the bike]

That dose look good well done.

[vxmagpie]

To answer your questions, Yes; I did it all myself - and it was a complete PITA.  At times I really enjoyed it, but at others it was just plain frustrating.  The Dash 2 is obviously designed as a universal Instrument and as such has to be adapted to fit into the VX.  And as with all things VX, nothing is simple.  Some information to the original dash is ECU fed, some of it voltage, some of it PWM etc etc.  I almost gave up half way through the project as every move turned into another problem solving headache.  But due to the time I’d invested (and the money) I decided to persevere and I’m glad I did; I’m more than happy with the results and the fact that I did it all by myself.

In terms of features, the Dash 2 is pretty feature packed.  I only use my car for the road so the data logging function wasn’t really for me.  It requires a separate box that has to be fitted directly to the ECU, and not by OBD (because it’s too slow), so this causes problems with speed and odometer.  The speedo has to run from GPS and you loose the odometer function if you go down this route.  Not ideal for a road car.  There are ways around this, but it wasn’t for me.  I wanted a wheel-fed speedo and accurate, road legal odo.  

There are five pages that you can cycle through and you can have up to four separate analogue inputs connected, so you can add oil pressure etc. if you want.  I’ve added boost to the screen which is great, not having to find somewhere to place a separate gauge.  The fuel gauge was quite labour intensive to set up, but it now displays in litres, far more accurate than standard.  The speedo was also a bitch, but it’s now within one mile an hour of a GPS.  The shift lights across the top are awesome and totally configurable, as are the alarm functions etc. for low fuel etc.

By inputting the VX 220’s gear ratios into the software, the gears are displayed on screen and it is totally accurate.  The Dash 2 is configured by using a laptop.  I have added a USB port that is hidden under the carbon fibre dash panel next to the heater controls.  My dash panel is held on with just 3 allen bolts and takes seconds to remove and reveal the port.  I just plug in the laptop and change or add things.  I love it because it's so easy to customise once you know what you are doing.  And I can now see the entire dash through the steering wheel when driving.  With the old dash the top twenty percent was always obscured from view by the top of the steering wheel when sitting upright.  No such problem now.

My mileage does indeed start from zero again.  I had my last MOT just days before I started the project so the mileage is confirmed to that point.  I also took a photo of the exact mileage before removing the old dash.  My VX has only done 10k, and the condition reflects this, so I’m not that bothered about milage doubts.  I also have no plans to sell my VX, especially after all the work I’ve put in to get it how I want.  You can’t buy better for the money.  I also know a company that can add mileage to the original dash when I come to sell it, just for accuracy.  I’ve left the standard loom untouched, just disconnect the Dash 2 from the 24 pin Instrument loom and plug the old fake stack back in.  Simple.

[dw1]

It might have been a ball ache for you,but the end result is magnificent! You can hook them up to a data logger or a video data logger made by Race Technology. The DL1 data logger is about £350ish I think.

[vxmagpie]

I don't really need a data logger, and another £350 is just not viable after all the money I've spent so far on this project. I dread to think what this owes me now. If the wife knew.......she'd have to match what I've spent in shoes!!!

[Kieran McC]

Are you still running on a standard ecu and Courtneys mapping with the Dash2 ?

[vxmagpie]

Yeah, I'm still on the standard ECU with a Courtney's stage 1 map.

[Kieran McC]

Yeah, I'm still on the standard ECU with a Courtney's stage 1 map.

Where abouts in Suffolk are you ? I would like to have a look at the set up some time if thats ok ?

Edited by kieranmcc, 27 July 2014 - 04:11 PM.

[vxmagpie]

I live in Stowmarket, about 10 minutes west of Ipswich. You are most welcome any time you want to have a look.

[Kieran McC]

I live in Stowmarket, about 10 minutes west of Ipswich. You are most welcome any time you want to have a look.

Thanks will take you up on that will be in a couple of weeks

[vxmagpie]

I'll look forward to it. Just PM me when you've got a date.