follow ft86club on our blog, twitter or facebook.
FT86CLUB
Ft86Club
Speed By Design
Register Garage Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB > Technical Topics > DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides For all DIYs.


User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 03-13-2016, 07:06 PM   #1
xkalelx
Senior Member
 
xkalelx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Drives: 2013 BRZ black
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 394
Thanks: 265
Thanked 282 Times in 113 Posts
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
DIY - Ethanol content display in OEM clock. PIC HEAVY

Greetings! This DIY will walk you through how to modify your stock clock to accept an ethanol display for those 86 owners out there running flex fuel or straight e85!



You will need the following upgrades before beginning:
A Zeitronix flex fuel fuel kit, I picked mine up from @Moto-Phil and @moto-mike at Moto-East. The specific components you will need are the ECA-2 analyzer and a "hacker/tweaker" display board (aside from your flex sensor and wiring). You do NOT want the integrated display/analyzer "ECA" unit (square gauge). It has to be the "ECA-2" unit. Confirmed- the round gauge display WILL NOT work. Best practice currently is use the hacker/tweeker board. You can view the items needed here: http://www.zeitronix.com/order/order.htm#SECTION_ECA

Get a hold of Mike or Phil from MotoEast and they will be able to get a better price than going through Zeitronix directly. They are also awesome dudes. Very helpful and awesome customer service. They now offer the the "hacker/tweaker board" on their site as an option to sell in their kit. Let them know what you want and they will get it for you.

This modification does not alter the clock circuit board so airbags and seat belt function is normal. We will be covering up the light indicators for the airbag and seatbelt warnings but that is it. You will still get chimes for not wearing your seatbelt (unless you have the Carista app like me).

So lets get started. Here is the list of tools and items you will need:
Plastic trim tools
Screwdrivers
Razor blade
Dremel tool with cut off wheels/polishing wheels
Hot glue gun
LightDims (or similar)
Zipties.

The cost of doing this modification is less than $10. The pack of Lightdims cost me $5 and only used a single hot glue stick and some Dremel consumables.

Time: about 2 hours total.

Im assuming you have already taken your HVAC unit out of the dash. If you need help doing that: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8336








Remove two philips screws



Use a flathead to pop the push clips at all four corners to remove the back panel.





Remove these two screws to detach the board. You will NOT have to unscrew the clock from the board. Just leave it alone.




Remove board.



Try not to lose these clock button extensions. They fall right out. Just set them aside for now.





Lets pop the clear cover off now.




We will remove the PASSENGER print at a later step.



Pop the indicator display out and set aside.




Back view of the new board. This may sounds scary to some but is very easy to do. Take your dremel and trim about 1/32" from the top and bottom edges of the new board. It is a really tight squeeze without doing this. Only take off as much as you need to get it fit and be conscious of the circuits on the board not to cut or grind through them. See pics to see what I did.



Now the comes the scary part for some. We are going to take a dremel and cut out all of these internal light projectors. All they do is project light from the LEDs on the board to the backside of the display screen. Take your time and go slow. Keep your new LED board handy and check for fitment. Once its fits in nice, stop. No need to go overboard on this. Word of warning, try not to cut through the outside of the clock enclosure. We are only removing these internal structures.








Lets talk about LightDims. These are easy to find at computer stores like Microcenter or Amazon. They are going to dim the LED display because the display on the board is SUPER bright and intended to be used behind a tinting screen or smoked out lens. This particular set blocks 50-80%. Im sure filters can found at camera shops. If I can to critique this, Its a little dark compared to the stock light output of the dash lights. Even at night. But its very acceptable and Im happy with this setup.






Lets add some LightDims to the clock board LEDs so we dont get any weird background light from around our new display.




While we have the clear front cover off, lets remove the PASSENGER print. This isnt required unless you want everyone who ever sees it to go, "wow, the enthanol content of your passenger sure is high... dur dur dur" Sadly this isnt just silkscreened to the surface of the cover, it is thermally pressed. Which means its going to be difficult to looks perfect. I took a 240grit stone on my dremel and lightly removed the letters. Once you see the white pigment disappearing, STOP. Dont go any deeper. I wish I had plastic polish but I didnt. Toothpaste works almost as good. Use it on a polishing fabric wheel on your dremel to smooth things out. Its not perfect but it is not noticeable once installed.





Alright, plug the hot glue gun in and let it warm up. we are ready to mount the new display.







Ok. Now to dim this display. There are two methods. The easy way I will outline first and then the better way I will outline second.

Method one is to just put LightDim on the inside of the clear cover all the way over to the hazard button. Its definitely easy to do this but because it is not right on top of the display, it diffuses the light a little weird from the display. Makes it look slightly blurry. Hard to tell from the photo below.




I didnt like the look of this so I went back and did it the other way. It takes a little longer but the display is sharper. Mark and cut up the original display sheet and hot glue it in place. Use LightDim on any part that still has clear images on it.











Time to put the clock board back in and the back panel. We need to modify the clock board slightly and take a small piece from the corner. Dont worry, there are no circuits or components in this area. We need to do this make room for the new board cable.




While you have the dremel out, gring this screw support down flush. It is not used anyway. If left, it pinches your display cable. Also port a hole in this area to feed your display cable through. It has a phone jack connector so just make it big enough to pass through the back side of the panel. I didn't notch the top or bottom of the back panel for the cable because of clearance issues being installed on the HVAC unit. It may be possible but I didnt opt to try.




Reinstall back into the HVAC unit and take it out to the car to test fit and check functionality.






Finished product!









Hope this helps! Please feel free to offer up suggestions or better methods. If there are any questions, please feel free to post.

Thanks
Sam
__________________

Last edited by xkalelx; 03-06-2017 at 02:09 PM. Reason: updated info
xkalelx is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 34 Users Say Thank You to xkalelx For This Useful Post:
-Phil (03-13-2016), 1stGenBRZ86 (05-31-2016), Alltezza (03-16-2016), axelo (03-16-2016), bufu07 (03-13-2016), chaoskaze (05-30-2016), DAEMANO (03-13-2016), denso (03-14-2016), djwishbone (08-26-2016), Drakiv (03-13-2016), DustinS (03-15-2016), EddieBRZ (03-13-2016), GhostOp86 (03-15-2016), Guff (03-14-2016), Hyper4mance2k (06-03-2016), JonAvalon (03-15-2016), Jrryjms07 (03-18-2016), kch (03-14-2016), lextrueno (09-18-2019), menikmati (03-13-2016), NyC Zn6 (03-15-2016), ollie (03-14-2016), ort895 (03-14-2016), Paulo86 (01-05-2018), pgranberg11 (03-06-2017), phanguy (03-13-2016), Sarlacc (03-15-2016), stockysnail (03-18-2016), tato.valverde (03-14-2016), Tenino (03-13-2016), TouchMyHonda (03-14-2016), Tye300 (04-02-2016), Vin (01-02-2018), Wyattkb (03-13-2016)
Old 03-13-2016, 11:22 PM   #2
Wyattkb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Drives: 2014 Whiteout FRS
Location: United States
Posts: 444
Thanks: 56
Thanked 159 Times in 87 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
I was looking to do this same thing but never got around to it. Awesome job.
Wyattkb is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Wyattkb For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 06:14 AM   #3
Xero-Limit
 
Xero-Limit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Drives: JDL Turbo FRS, 335SC BRZ (ret)
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 931
Thanks: 368
Thanked 1,547 Times in 525 Posts
Mentioned: 380 Post(s)
Tagged: 6 Thread(s)
AWESOME! The "hacker tweaker" is an option that you can get with our flex fuel kit, we've just added it as a drop down to make it easier so it can just be ordered with the full kit
Xero-Limit is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Xero-Limit For This Useful Post:
JonAvalon (03-15-2016), Wyattkb (03-15-2016), xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 06:41 AM   #4
ollie
Member
 
ollie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Drives: GT86
Location: Sydney
Posts: 78
Thanks: 156
Thanked 29 Times in 23 Posts
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Awesome guide thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ollie is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ollie For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 07:51 AM   #5
go_a_way1
Not Bаnned Anymore
 
go_a_way1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Drives: Heavily Modified FRS
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 9,827
Thanks: 14,918
Thanked 8,274 Times in 4,797 Posts
Mentioned: 355 Post(s)
Tagged: 374 Thread(s)
Man I want to do this and I don't even have access to E85 lol!! Great write up!
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1GiantTurtle View Post
This thread got de-railed quick now it's just about Penis guitars
go_a_way1 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to go_a_way1 For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 10:56 AM   #6
lbroskee
Senior Member
 
lbroskee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Drives: 2023 WRB BRZ (MT)
Location: Coral Springs, SoFlo
Posts: 2,252
Thanks: 1,503
Thanked 534 Times in 430 Posts
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 5 Thread(s)
Garage
U got the $13x display instead of gauge right? I may have to replace mine with this one
lbroskee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 11:01 AM   #7
tato.valverde
Senior Member
 
tato.valverde's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Drives: Scion FRS RS1.0,Mazda MX-6 2.5i 4WS
Location: Chicago, IL / Madrid, Spain
Posts: 170
Thanks: 260
Thanked 110 Times in 48 Posts
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Beautiful!!

I already have a display replacing the Clock for my radar detector. Having the other display changed like you did would be awesome
tato.valverde is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to tato.valverde For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 11:18 AM   #8
Cockatoo
TALLY FT86
 
Cockatoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Drives: 2014 FR-S Monogram -- SBD Turbo --
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 624
Thanks: 185
Thanked 444 Times in 241 Posts
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Awesome creativeness!

Would it be just as easy to have the gauge where the clock is instead of the airbag light? My headunit has a clock, so the unit in-dash is pointless
Cockatoo is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Cockatoo For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 03:48 PM   #9
denso
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Drives: 86
Location: Germany
Posts: 84
Thanks: 56
Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
awesome job m8!
denso is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to denso For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 03:58 PM   #10
zc06_kisstherain
 
zc06_kisstherain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Drives: SWP BRZ
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,177
Thanks: 723
Thanked 667 Times in 507 Posts
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Garage
wow great DIY
zc06_kisstherain is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to zc06_kisstherain For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 03:59 PM   #11
akidnamedguiza
Member
 
akidnamedguiza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 38
Thanks: 16
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Will definitely be doing this once i go e85. Great job!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
akidnamedguiza is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to akidnamedguiza For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 06:40 PM   #12
TouchMyHonda
Vtec Jesus
 
TouchMyHonda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Drives: 13 BRZ, 13 Golf R, 15 Audi S4
Location: LSD
Posts: 1,165
Thanks: 623
Thanked 243 Times in 153 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
So awesome
__________________
OFT Remote, OFH, Motiv OP & FP, Perrin 3' CB & 3' IT, Setrab/MoCal cooler, STI motor mounts, Wilwood 6/4 plot F&R 12.8 kits, Brake ducts, complete Whiteline catalog, complete bushing replacement, OSGiken clutch & Diff, 4.556 FD, Stance W/Spec valving 8/9 Swift.
TouchMyHonda is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to TouchMyHonda For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 08:54 PM   #13
Guff
Now w/ over 400 womprats!
 
Guff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: BRZ LZR
Location: Texas/Illinois
Posts: 4,785
Thanks: 10,452
Thanked 3,420 Times in 1,424 Posts
Mentioned: 301 Post(s)
Tagged: 4 Thread(s)
Garage
__________________
"Sweet Subaru, sweet Subaru, send your BRZ unto me, for the roads of the unworthy must be baptized in speed and glory."
- The Ancient BRZ Sacrament
by Zaku
Guff is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Guff For This Useful Post:
xkalelx (03-14-2016)
Old 03-14-2016, 10:55 PM   #14
xkalelx
Senior Member
 
xkalelx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Drives: 2013 BRZ black
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 394
Thanks: 265
Thanked 282 Times in 113 Posts
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by lbroskee View Post
U got the $13x display instead of gauge right? I may have to replace mine with this one
Yes. You may be able to use the display from your gauge if you have the round one. No need to buy it twice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tato.valverde View Post
Beautiful!!

I already have a display replacing the Clock for my radar detector. Having the other display changed like you did would be awesome
Ha! Thanks man, if it weren't for your DIY on the radar detector, i wouldn't have even thought to try this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cockatoo View Post
Awesome creativeness!

Would it be just as easy to have the gauge where the clock is instead of the airbag light? My headunit has a clock, so the unit in-dash is pointless
Yes! Just delete your clock. It is screwed to the board, just remove. There is ample room on that side for a new display.

Thanks for the awesome feedback guys. Glad i could contribute to a place that has served me time and time again with great info and friendly enthusiasts.

Sam
__________________
xkalelx is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to xkalelx For This Useful Post:
tato.valverde (03-15-2016)
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FS- Bluetooth ETHANOL CONTENT ANALYZER (ECA) Jetbill Engine, Exhaust, Bolt-Ons 0 07-20-2015 06:15 PM
Pure 98RON gas vs 25% ethanol content gas dejxx Software Tuning 1 04-26-2015 11:26 AM
Pure 98RON gas vs 25% ethanol content gas dejxx Software Tuning 0 04-26-2015 10:31 AM
FS: Unichip w/ download cable, Zeitronix ethanol content analyzer Ashikabi Engine, Exhaust, Bolt-Ons 27 03-06-2015 09:18 PM
Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer - E85! No Limit Motorsport Engine, Exhaust, Bolt-Ons 7 05-03-2013 03:04 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.