I'm interested in putting a Version 4 cluster into my 1998 L with a 1994 EJ20G engine. Aside from rewiring the plugs to the cluster, how hard would it be to use an electric speedometer sending unit and everything to do it right. How involved would this be? Thanks.

Brent

Use the mechanical speedo to the cluster, then tap into the vss signal on the back of the cluster. That's the easiest way.. Doing that on mine in the next couple of days. :)

You'll need a wiring daigram/ schematic to make it work.

Yeah, I've located a wiring diagram, so I'm set there. Where does the VSS detect the speed?

I have a preprep'd harness for the '98 RS FS btw. I'm not sure why you would need to mess with the VSS - your car came with an electric speedo. :confused:

Yeah, I've located a wiring diagram, so I'm set there. Where does the VSS detect the speed?
hey brent on the older mechanical gauges it pick up a pulse from the spinning shaft and sent the signal from the back of the cluster to the ECU...
very easy only two wires...they also make kmh -> mph converters for the mechanical clusters

Not the 98 L.

I have a preprep'd harness for the '98 RS FS btw. I'm not sure why you would need to mess with the VSS - your car came with an electric speedo. :confused:

hey brent on the older mechanical gauges it pick up a pulse from the spinning shaft and sent the signal from the back of the cluster to the ECU...
very easy only two wires...they also make kmh -> mph converters for the mechanical clusters

But if I'm not using a mechanical cluster then, how will it be able to produce a signal to send to the ECU?

Vehicle speed sensor; can someone give me a brief elaboration of this?

Not the 98 L.

Your L cluster doesn't look like this:

http://www.thawa.net/gallery/albums/My-car-a-field/IMG_2128.thumb.jpg (http://www.thawa.net/gallery/albums/My-car-a-field/IMG_2128.jpg)

:confused:

On the back side of the cluster there is an output signal (vss) that is picked up through the mechanical speedo spinning. If you get a wiring diagram/ schematic and look at it, and your cluster at the same time, it will make more sense. It's easier to do than it sounds.. ;)

ok brent, so you 98L is a electrical speedo right?....is the v4 cluster you are going to electrical speedo as well?...or is it mechanical?...

regarless your electrical speedo splits its signal...one signal goes to the ECU and one to gauge cluster

No, my 98 cluster looks like the early Impreza clusters, and it's mechanical.

I am in the middle of this very task, here is a little of the info that I have gathered. In my situation, the 5 speed transmission that I am using has a cable driven speedometer and no speed sensor on the trans itself but the speedometer in the cluster has a sensor that relays vehicle speed information to the ecu. Now I have disassembled the mechanical speedometer down to just the cable input and sensor assembly. This is how it works, the sensor is a magnetic reed switch which opens and closes 4 times per revolution of the speedo cable so if you apply a voltage to one side of the sensor you’ll get a square wave signal on the other, when in motion. Now I have no idea if this signal is useful for an electronic speedometer because I don’t know what the signal from an electronic speed sensor looks like or how many pulses per revolution it gives. So if one of you guys knows that information im sure I could come up with a solution.

No, my 98 cluster looks like the early Impreza clusters, and it's mechanical.

Thats really strange, I thought that all 98+ Imprezas were electronic. My GF's '98 OBS is electronic, and so is my buddy Rabitnutz on the boards. Wierd.

Here's a '98 L on autotrader:

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=185899434&dealer_id=43306724&car_year=1998&search_type=used&make=SUB&transmission=&model=IMPREZ&distance=300&address=06084&make2=&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&bkms=1125977241739&max_price=&min_price=&end_year=1998&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=56#vdptop

Clearly has the new style cluster:

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/8/23/185/899/1733134912.185899434.IM1.08.240x180_A.240x180.jpg

Are you sure yours is a '98? Maybe they switched mid production years. :confused:

I'm thinking that when the swap was done on the car, they converted back to mechanical because the 94 WRX tranny was mechanical. Yes, I am sure it is mechanical.

I'm thinking that when the swap was done on the car, they converted back to mechanical because the 94 WRX tranny was mechanical. Yes, I am sure it is mechanical.

Must have been it... Just trying to clear up my own confusion. ;)

Good luck with your conversion! :alien:

Haha, it's cool. Thanks!

Okay, so I'm ready to do this and I have the new sensor for the tranny and it has 2 wires that come off of it. Where do they go to?

hey guys! hate to poach, but...
i got a 95 L and going in is a ver4 sti complete clip swap including RHD. i'd like to keep the US speedo(kph and mph). but use the jdm dash/dashbar etc. what is easiest way? i haven't even begun searching yet. too many other things to find out first(more important things)! i can guess what 50 feels like pretty good, or just use the tach.
help if at all possible! thanks! -keith