Gauges versus racepak

[Juicypop]

I put speedhut gauges in my build but really not happy with them. Thinking about going to a racepak. What gauges our people using with there ls builds? Just trying find something that may work better far accurate, bright at night, and just works.

[raustinss]

Feed us more info ....car ? Theme ? ...use of said car ? Drive train? .. If it's more daily driver with a ls I'd run Dakota digital's new hdx series . If they're made for your car that is

[Goosesdad]

I'm considering SpeedHut, any chance you could give us more color on what you are disappointed with? Thanks in advance!

[Juicypop]

Feed us more info ....car ? Theme ? ...use of said car ? Drive train? .. If it's more daily driver with a ls I'd run Dakota digital's new hdx series . If they're made for your car that is

I have a LS7 with a 4l80E and my shop wired the gauges to speed huts instructions. The gauges do not light the way they showed when I built them. They are very dim. I called Keith at customworks we our going try couple things he told us. We will see if that works. It is a 70 camaro by the way.

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/juicypop1/17855036_1915272678708103_5653449710964269966_o_zp sjw9u0sml.jpg

I'm considering SpeedHut, any chance you could give us more color on what you are disappointed with? Thanks in advance!

Was supposed to look like this at night. If looks nothing like this.

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/juicypop1/18302368_10212844298333022_1009783546_n_zpsjhocdan 6.jpg

[Che70velle]

I'm using AutoMeter Ultra-lites. Mine are bright at night, in fact so much that I have to dim them down some. I would think that you have a possible dimmer switch issue? Something doesn't sound right... I would trouble shoot the issue extensively before you ditch what you have.
Now on the other hand, the Racepak stuff is sick!

[Jr]

Which shifter is that?

Also, race paks are functional and bitchen. I vote race pak.

[LateralJeaz]

Any night pics? Just curious as I also have some speedhut gauges on the way..

[Sheck44]

I've used 3 sets of Speedhut gauges and have never had an issue with the brightest. I'm assuming you are using the Spedhut dimmer switch with your setup.

Btw .. I now have a Racepak IQ3s in my camaro and on full brightness it's like sitting in a spaceship LOL

Cheers
Steve

[will69camaro]

I've used 3 sets of Speedhut gauges and have never had an issue with the brightest. I'm assuming you are using the Spedhut dimmer switch with your setup.

Btw .. I now have a Racepak IQ3s in my camaro and on full brightness it's like sitting in a spaceship LOL

Cheers
Steve

No lie there. I think I have my brightness of the screen on 3-4 out of 10.

[130fe]

I love my Dakota Digital HDX gauges. I have had both them and the VHX series and have no issues at all. Using their OBD 2 BIM module, it transmits all of the PCM readings to the gauges. Each gauge has a warning light and you are able to change the colors of the gauges.

[Juicypop]

I'm using AutoMeter Ultra-lites. Mine are bright at night, in fact so much that I have to dim them down some. I would think that you have a possible dimmer switch issue? Something doesn't sound right... I would trouble shoot the issue extensively before you ditch what you have.
Now on the other hand, the Racepak stuff is sick!


As stated we called them and we will trouble shoot what they said to do.

Which shifter is that?

Also, race paks are functional and bitchen. I vote race pak.

B and M stealth shifter.

Any night pics? Just curious as I also have some speedhut gauges on the way..

I am picking up my car from the tuner today. When I get it back home will get some pics.

I've used 3 sets of Speedhut gauges and have never had an issue with the brightest. I'm assuming you are using the Spedhut dimmer switch with your setup.

Btw .. I now have a Racepak IQ3s in my camaro and on full brightness it's like sitting in a spaceship LOL

Cheers
Steve

Yah the dimmer switch would not change the look.

No lie there. I think I have my brightness of the screen on 3-4 out of 10.

Nice!

I love my Dakota Digital HDX gauges. I have had both them and the VHX series and have no issues at all. Using their OBD 2 BIM module, it transmits all of the PCM readings to the gauges. Each gauge has a warning light and you are able to change the colors of the gauges.

Those look great!

[carbuff]

I'm very happy with my Speedhuts. I did not choose anything out of the norm for color/background combinations though. It sounds like your issue is with the appearance as opposed to the function, correct?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0413_01_zps509c51fe.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0413_01_zps509c51fe.jpg.html)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0421_08_zps69437b0a.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0421_08_zps69437b0a.jpg.html)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0531_16_zpsfb62b150.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0531_16_zpsfb62b150.jpg.html)

[Jimmy Sean]

Love my Speedhut gauges.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y398/JimmySean71BBQ/Firebird/IMG_3886_zpscqlk95kv.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y398/JimmySean71BBQ/Firebird/IMG_3796_zpschzrwnhb.jpg

[Juicypop]

I'm very happy with my Speedhuts. I did not choose anything out of the norm for color/background combinations though. It sounds like your issue is with the appearance as opposed to the function, correct?

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0413_01_zps509c51fe.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0413_01_zps509c51fe.jpg.html)

It is both but as I said I contacted them and when get the car from the shop will try what they said to do.

That is a great looking interior brother on your car!

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0421_08_zps69437b0a.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0421_08_zps69437b0a.jpg.html)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/carbuff69/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0531_16_zpsfb62b150.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/carbuff69/media/1971%20Firebird%20Formula%20-%20Project%20TOW/update_0531_16_zpsfb62b150.jpg.html)

Love my Speedhut gauges.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y398/JimmySean71BBQ/Firebird/IMG_3886_zpscqlk95kv.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y398/JimmySean71BBQ/Firebird/IMG_3796_zpschzrwnhb.jpg

Thanks!

[Sheck44]

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii200/SCOBRA48/WAAAY%20OTT/IN10ENSE/DSC_8038_zps3qurn7ck.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/SCOBRA48/media/WAAAY%20OTT/IN10ENSE/DSC_8038_zps3qurn7ck.jpg.html)

[Juicypop]

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii200/SCOBRA48/WAAAY%20OTT/IN10ENSE/DSC_8038_zps3qurn7ck.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/SCOBRA48/media/WAAAY%20OTT/IN10ENSE/DSC_8038_zps3qurn7ck.jpg.html)

Wow what a interior you have there very sick brother!

[transam]

I prefer racepak over actual gauages. Its bright, the programmable shift lights are bright and easy to follow. The downside is if your ecm isnt compatible with all the inputs you need to buy modules for each item you want to monitor which can get pricey.

http://i67.tinypic.com/fz83zm.jpg

[Juicypop]

I prefer racepak over actual gauages. Its bright, the programmable shift lights are bright and easy to follow. The downside is if your ecm isnt compatible with all the inputs you need to buy modules for each item you want to monitor which can get pricey.

http://i67.tinypic.com/fz83zm.jpg

Looks sick. Thanks for the input.

[Hydratech®]

I have been doing an awful lot of work retrofitting every vehicle we have to the new LED lighting systems. For instance, I have always had a hard time reading my factory gauges on my 442 at night, installed higher output W5W bulbs only to end up building too much heat and melting things (!) The W5W bulbs were better than the 194 bulbs, but not that much. Then I installed some JDM ASTAR 194 replacements and WOW - the gauges are now damn clean and bright and zero heat issues:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE7UC6C/ref=od_aui_detailpages07?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have actually become highly addicted to JDM ASTAR products / latest gen LED automotive lighting from other brands too. Some of the bulbs are not cheap, but the results are amazing. It cost me some blown fuses and a wrecked turn signal switch before I researched the difference between a "CK" and a standard socket (sucked), but still tickled silly with the end results. And then there was the hyperflashing issues that gave me another learning curve too (specialized old school flashers designed for LED conversions), and also load resistors on the newer cars where the flasher is handled by the damn BCM...

:thumbsup:

[Juicypop]

I have been doing an awful lot of work retrofitting every vehicle we have to the new LED lighting systems. For instance, I have always had a hard time reading my factory gauges on my 442 at night, installed higher output W5W bulbs only to end up building too much heat and melting things (!) The W5W bulbs were better than the 194 bulbs, but not that much. Then I installed some JDM ASTAR 194 replacements and WOW - the gauges are now damn clean and bright and zero heat issues:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DE7UC6C/ref=od_aui_detailpages07?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have actually become highly addicted to JDM ASTAR products / latest gen LED automotive lighting from other brands too. Some of the bulbs are not cheap, but the results are amazing. It cost me some blown fuses and a wrecked turn signal switch before I researched the difference between a "CK" and a standard socket (sucked), but still tickled silly with the end results. And then there was the hyperflashing issues that gave me another learning curve too (specialized old school flashers designed for LED conversions), and also load resistors on the newer cars where the flasher is handled by the damn BCM...

:thumbsup:
This is great information thanks brother.

[Hydratech®]

I installed these astoundingly bright (simple old school 1156 style) bulbs in my John Deere tractor and can now very brightly see 40 feet ahead of me with a 20+ foot wide beam = now I can mow at dusk when it's cooler outside and can even mow in total darkness if I wanted to, drawing only half the amperage that the old style incandescent bulbs did:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MC6799K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

www.jdmastar.com

I also installed these headlight bulbs in our 2007 Town and Country and it is downright astounding - I mean major league incredible:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IXYUNRE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Took only a few minutes - easy as easy gets. Did one side first so that I could do a side by side comparison and was just stunned. Installed the other side then went out for a dark night test drive and was just blown away. What's really cool is that original old school halogen bulbs would explode if you tried to fire both the low and high beam filaments at one time. These new LED's run so cool that when you kick on the high beams, you get both the low beam LED's *AND* the high beam LED's firing simultaneously - unreal - possibly even downright illegal how bright they are. The LED's are targeted to provide a very wide left to right light dispersal, which means that I'm not pissing off oncoming traffic - I haven't even been "flashed" once, even if I accidentally forget to shut off the high beams due to how well they have designed the light projection / targeting. Definitely WAY COOL.

:cheers:

[Hydratech®]

I went nuts and just swapped out about 200 bulbs in our shop to LED and all I can say is WOW:happy23: The lighting output is unreal - the difference is night and day, and better still here are the before and after ammeter test results:

T12 two bulb 4' shop light came in at .55 amps to run

T8 two bulb 4' shop light came in at .44 amps to run

Converted to very high output 3000 lumens 5000k clear LED's in the same fixtures (bypassing the pesky ballasts) the amp draw for almost twice as much light output came in at just about half the power draw at .31 amps!

Here are the links for anybody interested:

Conversion lamp that runs with the existing ballasts (meaning plug n play without any rewiring):

https://www.ledmyplace.com/products/ballast-compatible-t8-4ft-22w-2row-led-tube-3000-lumens-5000k-clear-cover

Conversion lamp that runs straight 110V (bypassing the ballasts which is more efficient):

https://www.ledmyplace.com/products/t8-4ft-22w-2row-led-tube-3000-lumens-5000k-clear

Besides being just simply bad ass, I'm looking forward to seeing our next electrical bill - should show a considerable difference! Yes, reworking all of the light fixtures to bypass the ballasts did take me three days, and it did cost a lot of money on the front side to convert the entire shop. People that walk in now are stunned as to how nice these lights are (look kick ass even in the fixtures that have the wrap around plastic covers).

:lateral: