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Old 10-02-2012, 03:52 PM   #1
Jswansti
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So I installed my SMY Clustermaker gauge pod last night. I haven mixed feelings at the moment. The stock fitment and oem look of the pod is perfect, my issues came when installing the gauges. I will post pics later when I can.

My first issue was with the depth given for the wiring and gauges themselves. I have mechanical boost and electrical oil temp Autometer gauges, and it was incredibly cramped getting everything in, especially the boost gauge. The fitting for the boost line was slightly too long, so I actually had to shave some of the back off the plastic "cup" of the cluster. After that my gauge with the boost line fitting attached went in fine, but now I was hitting the clear plastic cover of my actual dash gauges with the boost line fitting, but just barely. I loosened my dash cluster and was able to shift it slightly enough for my boost line fitting to squeeze in, and for the cluster to clip into place.



The oil temp gauge went in just fine without having to alter the actual cluster pod at all. Only problem is my back light for the gauge won't come on when I turn my lights on now, which is my fault.

My biggest issue is that my gauges won't sit flush against the pods in the cluster. The very top of the gauge (12 o clock position) touches the pod, but the bottom (6 o clock) has a gap between the gauge and the pod. You can easily see the side of each gauge when looking at them from the side. I've pushed them I as far as I can, and they just won't go flush with the pods. I think I'm just gonna paint the sides of the gauges black so it is far less noticeable. I'm not sure of this is due to the cluster design or my gauges specifically, but I've seen pics of different gauges that fit in much easier and more flush than mine.







Overall, I actually really like the cluster. It looks good and I prefer the position to the a-pillar pod. Different boost gauges will fit much better than mine, especially electrical gauges, so you might not have any of these issues. I'm going to take it off tomorrow night to try and fix my oil temp light, make the wiring around the steering column much cleaner, paint the sides of my gauges, and take some detailed pics.

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Last edited by Jswansti; 10-02-2012 at 05:11 PM.
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Old 10-02-2012, 04:06 PM   #2
Guardian-X-
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Apart from the small issues it looks good. Like you said the fitment of the gauges is proably off due to the fact that they are mechanical and need more space at the back. My defi's require only a small connector at the back so little room is needed. But why the gauges seem to go in at an angle and are unable to sit flush is indeed kinda weird ... maybe the angle of the pod face vs the "tube" is a bit off OR the the problem is your gauge. I'm afraid that should you have had other gauges there would have been less issues.

Thanks for posting your experience with the pod and including pics. Hope you can get the small issues sorted.
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Old 10-02-2012, 04:20 PM   #3
Jswansti
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Thanks! Yeah, having electrical gauges will give you much more room and less headaches. I got the oil temp to sit almost perfectly in, the side is barely noticeable, but I'll probably paint it black still because I know it's there. The boost gauge sitting out further I'm almost sure is due to the boost line fitting. I just don't think there's any more space to push it back. I also think this adds to it not being perfectly straight, the line fitting os pushing on the dash gauge causing a slight angle. Adjusting the rubber band that is around the gauge and holds it into the pod helped a little bit, which is the last side shot picture. I will pull it out and paint the side/ rubber band black also though, and that should make it bare able enough for me. Someday I might invest in some defi's, but damn they're expensive!
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Old 10-02-2012, 04:48 PM   #4
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Sorry buddy, but your vote doesn't count because you're running a hot, pressurized fluid gauge in your cabin. Should count as -1 since you actually think its a good idea to have it directly in front of you.

That said, I've had an SMY cluster since Yanev's first pre-order batch. ELECTRIC Defi and AEM gauge fit snug, no modifications needed.
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Old 10-02-2012, 05:08 PM   #5
Jswansti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imma_stocker
Sorry buddy, but your vote doesn't count because you're running a hot, pressurized fluid gauge in your cabin. Should count as -1 since you actually think its a good idea to have it directly in front of you.

That said, I've had an SMY cluster since Yanev's first pre-order batch. ELECTRIC Defi and AEM gauge fit snug, no modifications needed.
Sorry, I should correct myself. My boost gauge is mechanical, my oil temp gauge is electrical. I highly doubt anyone runs oil into their cabin to monitor its temperature. As I said, the oil temp gauge went in perfectly fine, with minimal side showing. This could be fixed by adjusting the rubber band, but I haven't had time to try yet.

It is not unusual to run a mechanical boost gauge, so I thought it'd be useful to post up the minimal modification it took to get it running correctly.

Last edited by Jswansti; 10-02-2012 at 05:16 PM.
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Old 10-02-2012, 05:18 PM   #6
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If you guys have an issue with the bands and you can't get the gauges all the way in. Try cutting the band in half then trim off 1 inch of the length and try to install the gauge again. seems like some bands have less stretch and the thickness may cause to tight of a fit. Less band solved the issue on my end. Gauge sits flush with no gaps.

Thank you
Yanev
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Old 10-02-2012, 05:39 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jswansti

Sorry, I should correct myself. My boost gauge is mechanical, my oil temp gauge is electrical. I highly doubt anyone runs oil into their cabin to monitor its temperature. As I said, the oil temp gauge went in perfectly fine, with minimal side showing. This could be fixed by adjusting the rubber band, but I haven't had time to try yet.

It is not unusual to run a mechanical boost gauge, so I thought it'd be useful to post up the minimal modification it took to get it running correctly.
Haha jus busting your balls. Mechanical boost is fine, some gauge pods need an elbow fitting.
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Old 10-02-2012, 05:57 PM   #8
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Thanks ill try that with the band! It does seem a tad too thick and tight.

I looked around a little for an elbow fitting in my dads garage that would work but couldn't find one. But it probably would've helped a lot!
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Old 10-02-2012, 07:10 PM   #9
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.....or toss the rubber bands and use 6-7 wraps of electrical tape. Did you look at any of the other review posts?
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Old 10-02-2012, 07:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JarHarms
.....or toss the rubber bands and use 6-7 wraps of electrical tape. Did you look at any of the other review posts?
I have and after seeing the pics here on this post I decided to see if I can get a fix. I will look into this issue further and will find out about making new bands that are a tiny bit thinner.

Unlike Any1 else I stand by my products and will do my best to tweak and tweak. As well as be available 100% to answer anyone's questions and issues.

Email me at [email protected]
Call me or text me at 9174176454

Thank you
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Old 10-02-2012, 07:51 PM   #11
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Yanev is a stand up guy. I shot him an email about an issue, he responded, and fixed it.

No product is perfect. But this cluster is damn close. It fills a void in the market in a really cool way, I don't care what you're style is. This is stealth, matches OEM, always catches an eye, lighter than stock, easier to pull off than stock, doesn't intrude with gauge view.... You get it.

/free sales pitch

Maybe a stretch of thin foam or thick electrical tape should come instead rubber band? Not adhesive foam, just something that can be easily trimmed for perfect fit.
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Old 10-02-2012, 09:13 PM   #12
Jswansti
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I thought about trimming some foam board i have lying around if i need to try something else after the rubber band trimming. I won't get a chance to work on it until tomorrow night, but i'll post up any differences I see.
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Old 10-02-2012, 09:23 PM   #13
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Mine just came in, just need to get some gauges! I was thinking an autometer mech boost as well...might go electrical now.
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Old 10-03-2012, 09:17 AM   #14
Jswansti
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVT_2_WRX
Mine just came in, just need to get some gauges! I was thinking an autometer mech boost as well...might go electrical now.
It's really not too hard to get it to fit in, and I bet it would be a non-issue if you used and elbow fitting for the boost line.
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Old 10-03-2012, 05:54 PM   #15
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Just got mine in today. All I can say is "wow!" The quality is like oem, fit is like oem. Overall 10/10 hella worth the wait. My biggest gripe was with the rubber bands not wanting to stay straight and go in haha. Those bishes would just not slide in straight. Finally got my defi gauge to go in and took a bit of strength to squeeze the gauge in by pressing it on the back of the cluster and front of the gauge till I got it flush. Needless to say that gauge is not going anywhere hahaha. Anybody thinking of getting one, should get one, its worth it...

Thank you Yanev

Last edited by RIPEVO9; 10-04-2012 at 12:01 PM.
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Old 10-03-2012, 07:16 PM   #16
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So if I get an elbow, you think I wouldn't have to "shave" off some of the cup in the back? Can you tell me what size elbow the autometer takes? Thanks for the help and the write up.
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Old 10-03-2012, 11:38 PM   #17
Jswansti
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Honestly, I'm not sure of the size I have or would be needed, sorry! I just know that my fitting goes straight back from the gauge, and an elbow fitting would decrease that length by a bit. Trimming the pod to make mine fit didn't take much work.

Here are some updated pics I took tonight finishing up the pod install! I got my oil temp light to work, but then my boost light didn't want to work either. Fixed that and then my boost line kinked and wouldn't read, so I had to reroute the line. But I finally got all the problems fixed. Used electrical tape to make the gauges fit snug. Wasn't working out well with the rubber bands. The boost gauge still sticks out a tad due to the boost line fitting pushing on the dash gauge cluster.









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Old 10-04-2012, 12:02 PM   #18
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Heres mine installed....Gotta love the fit, finish and quality..







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Old 10-04-2012, 02:34 PM   #19
Jswansti
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Looks great! My next interior mod will hopefully be an in dash DVD unit. The clock pod setup looks sweet. If I fin I need more gauges that'll be the route I go.
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Old 10-04-2012, 02:58 PM   #20
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Those look great. Very temping if i ever need to expand outside my dash pod.
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Old 10-04-2012, 08:19 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mechatricity View Post
Those look great. Very temping if i ever need to expand outside my dash pod.
Free advise.

Prosport makes a 52mm Clock gauge. So if you are running a triple gauge in the center and you need a clock. Its another reason to buy an SMY Dual gauge Pod and a blank (which you can add a shift light into it)
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