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Old 05-16-2011, 07:54 PM   #1
O.C.D.
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Default SMY and Defi Gauges install - great pics if you want them!

Like many, I have been oogling over the SMY Cluster for the 2008+ Imprezas. I decided to pull the trigger and buy the setup. The gauges were the killer as Defi is not cheap! But I decided I wanted the best so I ordered them.

I must note, the SMY cluster is a fantastic piece of work. The fitment was great and the finish was even better!

I chose the oil pressure gauge and the boost gauge. The flavor was Defi Red Racer Series.

Pre-install:





For the oil pressure unit you have to remove the alternator. To be honest it was cake in this car. When you remove the alternator you can see exactly where the stock unit sits and what you have to remove.

Based on XLuben's thread I grabbed a 24mm deep socket and removed the stock sensor and bung:


Last edited by O.C.D.; 05-16-2011 at 08:22 PM.
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Old 05-16-2011, 07:58 PM   #2
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I cleaned up the bung and wrapped it in teflon tape then installed:


here is the Defi sending unit with the 1/8th pt thread wrapped in teflon tape as well:


Here she is installed:



Here is the pigtail and the sensor installed. All that is left is the alternator and zip-ties:
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:02 PM   #3
O.C.D.
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I then routed the lead and attached with zip-ties:


Next was the boost gauge. This was pretty easy but I am anal so I had to make sure it looked factory:



So I routed the unit up and decided I wanted a solid place for it to mount. I rotated a hose clamp and used a longer metric bolt setup. Because of this I have a solid mount and it look almost factory:



Last edited by O.C.D.; 05-16-2011 at 08:23 PM.
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:04 PM   #4
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Remove the driver's side wheel and have some fun. Getting the fender liner out was not the easiest but dooable. Just be careful with the trim work:


When removed, look up into the fender and you will see this:


On the top of this grommet there is an area that you can cut into and feed the cabling through.

naked dash:
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:07 PM   #5
O.C.D.
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Feed the gauge wires through the grommet and then you are ready to wire the gauges.

I used the rubber bands provided from the SMY Cluster and then wrapped them with some electrical tape. This gives a very tight fit but has some give to move the gauges.

Here is the stock cluster with the SMY Cluster:
\

Notice the stock cluster and the two part construction:


Notice the SMY Cluster and the one piece construction:


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Old 05-16-2011, 08:15 PM   #6
O.C.D.
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As I had the gauges in place I grouped the wires together:


I added the fuse-taps and the ground eyelet:


I then taped the clusters together to make it easier when installing:


Feed it all through the top of the steering column and then hit the fuses you need:

Constant 12v - Fuse # 3 - DOOR LOCK
Switched 12v - Fuse # 26 - IG2
Illumination/Dimmer - Fuse # 16 - ILLUMINATION

(thanks xluben)






Here is how it looks when fired up. Click the link:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/WRX/?action=view&current=Defistartup.mp4
I must say that I have waited years for a setup like this. The SMY Cluster is phenomenal and the Defi gauges really make it all work.

I would not have used any other parts,........period.

Jon
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Old 05-18-2011, 12:29 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O.C.D. View Post
Anyone else notice the right side (when looking at the dash) gauge is not symmetrical? I saw this during the install and it is driving me nuts. I looked all over for a reason while installing but could find nothing as to why?

Look at the left gauge and how close it is to the base and then look at the right side?!?!?!
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Old 06-24-2012, 04:05 AM   #8
waltah
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O.C.D. View Post
Remove the driver's side wheel and have some fun. Getting the fender liner out was not the easiest but dooable. Just be careful with the trim work:


When removed, look up into the fender and you will see this:


On the top of this grommet there is an area that you can cut into and feed the cabling through.

naked dash:
how the heck do you get the fender liner out? i saw 2 plastic pop rivets, popped those. then i saw phillips head plastic screws but they are tucked behind the side skirt? any tips or tricks? installing my defi boost gauge tonight.

fun fact. i tried fishing the wire through one of the firewall access holes, for 3 hours. Im not a novice when it comes to wiring. I have fished many wires over the years. Home, commercial, auto, etc... i wasnt even angry, I was just perplexed as to why i couldnt find the damn coat hanger under the dash. 3 freakin hours.

hence why im asking about going through the fender, i gave up.
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:27 AM   #9
TeeJayHoward
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O.C.D. View Post
1) Where does the wire coming out of this box go? What does it connect to?
2) Is this box included with the boost gauge? Or is it purchased seperately?
3) I assume that this box takes the boost/vacuum reading and sends it out electronically to the gauge. Is this correct?
4) The only wires coming out of the gauge appear to be a ground, constant, switched, and dimmer wire. Where is the gauge getting the actual boost signal from? Is there a plug or something on the back of the gauge like in the BF series?
5) Where did you get your Defi Red Racer gauges from? (And would you recommend getting mine from the same place?)
6) Is there any place in particular you found to be an easy, out of the way location to mount the ground wire to?

Last edited by TeeJayHoward; 06-30-2011 at 07:46 AM.
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TeeJayHoward View Post
1) Where does the wire coming out of this box go? What does it connect to?
2) Is this box included with the boost gauge? Or is it purchased seperately?
3) I assume that this box takes the boost/vacuum reading and sends it out electronically to the gauge. Is this correct?
4) The only wires coming out of the gauge appear to be a ground, constant, switched, and dimmer wire. Where is the gauge getting the actual boost signal from? Is there a plug or something on the back of the gauge like in the BF series?
5) Where did you get your Defi Red Racer gauges from? (And would you recommend getting mine from the same place?)
6) Is there any place in particular you found to be an easy, out of the way location to mount the ground wire to?
  1. Connects to the gauge.
  2. Included with the gauge.
  3. Correct.
  4. There are two plugs going into the gauge. The one with the wires you mentioned, and the other plug with the signal from the pressure sensor.
  5. I got mine from RallySportDirect. Their prices aren't always the lowest, but their service is MUCH better than the "PM for a price, I'll beat anything, and then drop ship it to you" online retailers.
  6. I used a bolt near the fuse box.
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Old 10-15-2013, 11:06 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O.C.D. View Post
I cleaned up the bung and wrapped it in teflon tape then installed: here is the Defi sending unit with the 1/8th pt thread wrapped in teflon tape as well: Here she is installed: Here is the pigtail and the sensor installed. All that is left is the alternator and zip-ties:
Hello just a question, when you removed the alternator during the install, you had to disconnect the battery right? And when you connected it back, did the car start? Or no? Is there a safety feature that when battery is disconnected, the car won't start? I saw on YouTube that it has to be deactivated by the car remote or something? Sorry for the stupid question.
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Old 10-16-2013, 05:12 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsantos1082 View Post
Hello just a question, when you removed the alternator during the install, you had to disconnect the battery right? And when you connected it back, did the car start? Or no? Is there a safety feature that when battery is disconnected, the car won't start? I saw on YouTube that it has to be deactivated by the car remote or something? Sorry for the stupid question.
the will crank a little longer but should start.

IIRC, just pump the brake pedal a few times with the battery disconnected to reset the ECU if you encounter problems w / the car NOT starting after you reconnect the battery.

unless you like spark! mine had to crank / turn over for what seemed like an eternity, but it started after... I dunno, 15 seconds? it seemed like an eternity.
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Old 10-16-2013, 05:36 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChesterWRX View Post
the will crank a little longer but should start. IIRC, just pump the brake pedal a few times with the battery disconnected to reset the ECU if you encounter problems w / the car NOT starting after you reconnect the battery. unless you like spark! mine had to crank / turn over for what seemed like an eternity, but it started after... I dunno, 15 seconds? it seemed like an eternity.
Thank you
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:21 PM   #14
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Fantastic job.
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:28 PM   #15
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great write up - thanks.
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Old 05-16-2011, 08:31 PM   #16
O.C.D.
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Yup, OCD is really how I do things. I feel that if you do something, make sure it is 125%.

Thanks for the comments.
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Old 05-16-2011, 09:25 PM   #17
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Fantastic info! I just picked up my STI the other day and I am already lusting a clean, functional gauge setup, probably boost and EGT or oil pressure. This thread is going into my gauges folder. Nicely done.
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Old 05-16-2011, 09:30 PM   #18
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I don't have a 2011 but I have been eyeing up the Defi Racer series and was curious how easily everything went together, looks easy enough!

Great write up and very clean!
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:55 AM   #19
xluben
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Looks awesome. This should help a lot of people!
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Old 05-17-2011, 09:36 AM   #20
O.C.D.
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I was daunted in the wiring which is odd. I never get daunted, lol. But this is a brand new car so I had to make sure it was clean and done right.

Simply wire the gauges together and hit the right fuses and it is really easy. I could do the whole thing over in a few hours now. Took me a lot longer the first time though.

Thanks for the props all.
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Old 05-17-2011, 10:05 AM   #21
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Awesome work! I have the exact same setup, minus the very smart boost sender mounting solution. I decided to mount the sender on the fuse box with a small screw. I may try your solution as it shortens the hose length a bit.

Thanks for the pics and writeup.

A
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Old 05-17-2011, 11:24 AM   #22
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Great job on the install!!! Lol I am anal about installing things right too so I appreciate the work you did!!!! Awesome, and it looks great!!!
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Old 05-17-2011, 12:11 PM   #23
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Subscribed for when I do my boost! Great writeup thanks for the info.
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Old 05-17-2011, 12:26 PM   #24
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For reference, here is the exact same setup during the day:



The Defi gauges match the stock ones perfectly!
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Old 05-17-2011, 02:01 PM   #25
CpnNeeda
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Default Wiring

Awesome install, but I'd like to see a pic of the fuse links and possibly a link from where you got them. Very interested in them.
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