Data Logger choices : Aim MXL2 - MXS - MXG
 

I will be buying a data acquisition dash very soon, and I am debating between different sizes offered by Aim.

It seems the smaller display MXL2 and MXS are almost the same size and fit nicely in front of the OEM cluster, or instead of it if needed in the future.

The larger MXG seems to be too big to sit in front of the cluster, but would be an almost perfect fit to fit instead of it.

I took some photos with the Aim scaled templates to get better sense of how it would look. The MXS template has the MXL2 template right behind it, as you can see it only stick a little on the side 1/4 inch or so.

I personally would like to install the Aim Dash instead of the OEM cluster considering my car is a dedicated track car., it would be more stealth.

QUESTIONS:
- Will the car still run if I disconnect the oem cluster unit ? I know some car need it to run, to protect against odometer tempering for example
- Will I be able to get the dash lights and gas level from the OBDII CAN signal ?
- Would it be possible to simply unplug these bulb from the dash and simply mount them in the center console for example ? or will they only light up with the dash connected ?
- If I don't how hard will it be to get these signals on the AIM dash ? Will the light even work without the cluster plugged in ? one sensor for each dashboard lights ? I can see 4 I would want to keep : ABS, DSC, ESP, CEL and also the gas level.

I will certainly try to answer some of these questions myself in the future, trying to unplug the cluster and stuff, but if someone already know the answer I am all hears.

I wanted to list here some relevant posts

PST INSTALL MXL2
CARTEK OUTPUT CONTROLS

Random dash installed in BRZ/FRS

http://www.speedhunters.com/wp-conte...60-800x533.jpg

I believe you need to keep the OEM cluster in order for the car to run but not 100% sure.

The "lights" can't be disconnected IIRC they are mounted to the circuit board behind the panel.

I don't believe the fuel level is in the OBDII/CAN for our cars the way it is for the BMWs.

I'm sure PST will have better answers than I do though.

I vote for the MXL2 as the curve fits the arc of the dash better and looks more seamless.

-mike

I wanted to share some preliminary photo of a potential Aim MXG in place of the OEM cluster.

The Aim MXG should fit almost perfectly in place of the OEM cluster circuit board.
The OEM circuit board container is thicker than the MXG so thickness should be ok.

The MXG is like 1/4 in taller than the cluster but with the bottom part sticking out it should only be a small piece of the bezel that should not ve in direct view. (see the part circle in red in my photo)

Now I need to find out if there is enough space behind to have all the Aim MXG wiring sticking out. It seems like its protruding quite a bit.

Anybody has a photo of these wires behind the MXG ? ideally with a ruler to get exact sizes ?

PS: this stealth installation would require to buy the extra module that relocate the Aim cluster button somewhere else. An additional expense but I think this could end up looking really nicely integrated.

Here's our Shop cars with the AIM Displays intalled!


AIM MXG W/ AIM Smarty Cam
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/37...4j8tl0r56g.jpg

AIM MXS Display With Quick Release Mount

https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/25...yrdsy5en6g.jpg
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3d...z555tip16g.jpg

Sorry to bump an old thread but I found a way around the cluster if you're interested...

Im interested.

You basically need to just make a harness extension...

I found a connector on the harness from a junk yard and i got a connector from the back of the oem cluster from mouser.com...

Ran wires about 4 feet long from end to end and plugged the oem cluster in the glove box

any more pictures with the mxg installed

Bringing this thread back from the dead. Has anyone implemented an AIM data logger recently? I'm not sure if bezel kits have been made in the past few years. Looking to utilize an AIM standalone with smartycam.