Convert the digital speedometer from Kmh to MPH?
 

Hello my fellow petrol heads. Let me explain my current situation and hopefully one of you can point me in the right direction...or previous forum post.

So, I'm importing a second hand BRZ from Japan, to London, and the issue that I'm facing right now is that I need to convert the speedometer of the vehicle from kmh to MPH in order for the vehicle to pass its inspection. Now as most of you know, Jap spec BRZ's only show kmh both digitally and through an analog dial.

Unfortunately, this BRZ doesn't have the khm/mph toggle on side of the cluster, so my question is, is it possible to convert only the digital speedometer read-out from kmh, to MPH? If so, how, and who do I contact to do this in the UK?

I've spent countless hours looking for a solution both online and over the phone and I'm not able to find a clear solution to this problem. Worst case, I can swap the analog face plate, or completely swap the gauge unit, but surely there is a way to convert the digital read-out?

Any and all help is truly appreciated.

There are couple choices. On models that have mph readings from factory, there is a button to switch between mph and kmh. Models that are kmh only do not have that button. In case both clusters use same firmware, it should switch to mph when you wire button to correct pin (check wiring diagram to see which pin is used for that). In worst case - it simply will do nothing. Then it gets more complicated. Firmware would need to be reflashed from other cluster. Many shops do that, but not all may have correct firmware file (BRZ is not such popular car). If you could bring both UK market and JDM clusters, they should be able to copy firmware between clusters. Then km/h, mph button will definitely work (you do not need to install actual button, as cluster remembers last selection).

I seem to recall someone buying the STI tS cluster and using it in their car in the states, so I don't see why a cluster swap wouldn't work.

This is exactly the information I was looking for. I knew there had to be a way to change just the digital speed reading. Thank you for your input. Surely there are a few users on here that have had to change the speedometer reading, some further insight into how these users went about doing so would be great.

Changing the entire cluster is possible, but this would really be a last resort considering I may be able to change the digital reading for free if the correct firmware is already installed. Cluster replacement will cost upwards of 200£, which isn't bad, but it kills me knowing there can be something done to the digital speedo.

The car will arrive within the next 2 weeks. I'll keep the thread alive for any other users also looking to change the speedometer reading.

Please post a DIY once you do it!

Could you just disconnect the digital speedo for the inspection or will that not fly?

JDM analog speedo is KPM as well.

As Poodles has stated, doing so would leave me with the analog speedo in Kmh only.

Does anyone know of a Subaru/Toyota specialist in the UK that would be able to reflash the firmware within the cluster? Would the best place to get in contact with be Subaru/Toyota themselves?

I've called around to a few Subaru specialists, but no one has got their hands on a BRZ yet, and the companies that change digital and analog speedos tell me that they need to crack the encryption or some bull which could take up to 5 weeks.

Would an ECU tuning specialist be able to help in this situation? Thanks again for all of your input and ideas. The more the better!

Subaru/Toyota dealers won't be able to do that. Changing firmware is basically cracking into cluster. ECU tuners won't be able to help as well, unless they also specialize in cluster reflashing.

Why not just doing something similar to this to replace the speedo dial, if the analog speedo is in mph, it should be okay no?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58207

Edit: something liek this for dials, you have some dual ones http://www.cyberstork.com/items/grand_blue/

Update: After a long process of trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this, I thought I'd give an update on the different options I've come across.

The first is to get the entire cluster replaced from Subaru themselves. I was quoted a price of £800 here in the UK, and that's without the cost of flashing the cluster to match the mileage. Subaru refused to flash a second hand cluster, so this was there only option.

The other option came about after I got in contact with one of the forum members who is able to replace the EPROM chip in the cluster with one from an FRS/GT86. I decided not to go this route as the vehicle already has stupidly low miles for a 3 year old car and in the UK I would have to state that the mileage has been corrected when selling the car. If you need to get in contact with this forum member, send a private message to: kilohercas

In the end I wanted to get the car on the road as quickly and cheaply as possible, so I bit the bullet and went for a GT86 faceplate. This faceplate had both kmh/mph on the dial and doesn't look bad at all. The only nit pick I have is that the number 6 on the rev dial is not evenly illuminated, but other than that it does the job.

Hope someone finds this information useful.