Hey ya'll. So there was a small discussion on shift lights a few days ago, and I really want to get something soon so I'm curious of the groups opinions on the matter.
What I'd most like to clone is the logic behind F1 style steering wheel lights, which during DEcelleration, go from redline to orange to green and when they turn off indicates that it is safe to downshift.
The easiest setup is probably this 7 LED sequential unit:
http://store.traqmate.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=48(video of the different modes, and in action here)
http://www.scoobymods.com/ecliptech_shift_sequential_shift-t8526.htmlI was thinking of doing this with either one or two solid lights, such as a drag racing light like this Raptor:
http://www.raptorperformance.com/products/Dual%20Mode%20Shift%20Light.htmThere is also a pretty cool one here, but I think it's too long to properly mount anywhere on the Sky
http://lumitach.com/Ideas? Discuss amongst yourself
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I've decided to update the first post of this thread with the install info so they don't get lost at the end of this talky thread.
The one I (and a few others) choose is the Ecliptech Shift-I. It combines a customized tach and shift light.
Install will be easy for everyone after seeing this guide. It was a real huge pain in the ass for me. Because I had a fight with a gasket.
First I wired up my power and ground. I already have a fuse tap on fuse 18 for my iPhone, and Valentine 1. Just tapped that and ran the wires behind the radio and hooked that up. I don't have photos, I forgot to take them.
The hard part of the install is the cylinder tap. I choose to tap cylinder 4 so there is less wire in the engine compartment. It's tough to do this one because there isn't much exposed wire. But I was able to make it fit.
The wire to tap is the wire that is different on each cylinder. For cylinder 4 it is the green wire. Take the connector off and cut away the tape. I found the included wire taps to be pretty cool because I could easily do one the cylinder wire side first, and the new wire second so I didn't have to try to keep as many wires steady with my hands. (This is the first time I've ever used wire taps in my life, so I was very nervous that I would break something)
Once I got that tapped I made sure the car started, and I had misfires... I freaked out, then realized I forgot to connect the wires back to the coil. WHEW Once I did everything was fine.
Uranium suggested that the best way to get into the cabin through the firewall is to go through the gasket that the main ECU wires go through. It is definitely the easiest way once you learn how the gasket works. This took me an hour and a big scare. Originally I didn't realize that there were two layers of rubber I had to get through. So I poked a hole, taped the wires to a hangar, and started pushing through. Everything seemed fine then it started to get tough to push. I look under the dash and saw frayed wire! I thought I has cut the ECU wires! Again panic! Then I realized that that the boot actually funnels flush with the wiring harness and I had actually been pushing the new wire through tape holding the ECU harness together and the frayed wire was just the new wire. Pulled it out. Started the car. WHEW #2 everything was fine.
So I decided to pull out the entire gasket, and saw how it was made. Poked holes on each side and used this awesome plier technique to feed it through without the hanger. Once it was through, just popped the gasket back and used a screwdriver to push it into place.
Connected all the wires to the shift light, jammed then under the dash and bam it worked!
I wrapped the tap up with electrical tape, hopefully nothing melts. U has suggested aluminum tape. Gotta get around to getting some.
I haven't decided on the final mounting point so I just jammed it between the steering wheel.
Gotta also learn how to calibrate it. Right now I just have one light going on for every 1k RPM. But I'm going to plan on having the lights start at 4k RPM and blink just before redline.
Pic uploading is having some problems today so here is a gallery for now:
http://gallery.me.com/kennysabarese#100364
