Well I finally finished my new Marshall gauge install. Whew... I'm glad that's over with. Lots'a work, but it was all worth it!!!

See for yourself.

 

Is that a Oil temp gauge??

Looks good

 

Nice.

 

It's more like "what did someone do to your MINI today" for me. I was washing him tonight, and noticed that someone had backed into his front bumper recently, scratching the bumper, cracking the paint and busting the lower mount for the indicator light housing.

Does anyone know of an easy fix to get the indicator housing secure again? Right now it's just the top bolt holding it in.

 

One of the nicest applications I've seen. How did all the sensor connections go for you?

 

Thanks for the compliments on my gauge install. The overall vision and design of the install was relatively simple in theory... Then there came the "Doing It" portion of the project. The sensors were not so bad. I'll elaborate more in a bit.. The difficulties were associated more with the routing of the wiring, finding proper grounding locations and fixing what I broke or jacked-up along the way. As a bit of a perfectionist, I felt like I wanted the install to be as much like something the factory might do, except with a few simple twists of common sense.

Here's a brief overview of my project:

The Water Temp Gauge sensor was installed in the upper radiator hose using an inline tap available from Deft Racing. It's a 34mm tap that allows the sensor to be easily accessable without any trouble. I also installed an inline disconnect in the event I'd need to remove the sensor (or the radiator hose)for any reason in the future.

The Oil Temp Gauge is run via the sensor mounted in a welded bung in the pan. Note the location immediately to the left of the oil drain plug in the pics. This was a huge convenience left over from the previous owner of this car. Most cars won't have this set up. If not, one could utilize the adapter available from Craven to install the sender in the oil drain plug. Also, I installed an inline disconnect in order to remove this sensor in the future without damaging the wiring.

The Oil Pressure Gauge sender is a remote mount using the Tapless Adapter from Craven. Using this adapter, you can maintain the relative location of the OEM idiot sender. When aligning the tapless adapter, be sure the 1/8" NPT points 90 deg. to the right so you can easily access the fitting and attach the remote line. Using No. 3 teflon/steel braided line, the remote line is attached to a -03 AN to 1/8" NPT union and run upwards from the tap location, through the drain at the base of the firewall cowling (immediately beneath the brakelines). A 90 degree elbow is attached to the line at the -03 AN fitting at the tap and a straight is used to attach at the sender.

The Boost Gauge is manual and picks up the vacuum from the line on the intake which supplies the fuel pressure regulator. This is done using the tee supplied from Marshall. I opted to purchase some heavier vacuum line (Gates 7/64) from the local O'Rielly store rather than use the lighter/clear tubing supplied with the gauge. Tapping the OEM vacuum line is a bit of a challenge. You will need a pair of 11"/45 deg. needle nose pliers to do complete this task.

All tolled, I have spent approximately 20-30 hours doing this install (5 or 6 just chasing parts). As a first (and probably only) time for doing this, I spent lots'a time just figuring out how to attain the results I had envisioned in the planning process. I was able to use a friend's hoist which made life easier at 54 years old. Let no one kid you, this is not a "Hard" project, but I'd say it's certainly a "Challenging" project. There's lots of parts removal in order to get in to places not normally accustomed to seeing daylight. Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome and am willing to assist anyone wanting to take on this project. Though I likely won't have any wrenches, wire cutters or cable ties in hand....... Purely a new-found plethora of information for someone to pick.

Motor On.......... Here's a few pics of the sending units for your viewing pleasure. Sorry about picture quality. I did what I could....

 

Wow very nice, looks great and it has to be nice to have access to that info now.

 

just got my last free oil change/check up on the maintenance warranty. Wish i could afford to extend it! :(

 

Passed my 1,200 mile break in YAY
Decided it was a good idea to roll over a nail BOO
Tested Mini dealership to see if they'd consider fixing it...nope BOO
Would be willing to sell me a brand new tire BOO
Discount Tire plugged and patched for free YAY



Blurry, Discount Tire Parking Lot Cellphone pic.

 

That's just plain sweet! There's some skills I just don't have.

 

I concour

 

That happened to me not too long ago. I didn't bother with the dealership. Went right to the tire place and they plugged it for me.
Congrats on your break in. I just broke it in too. I'm thinking an oil change soon.

 

Finished my stripes down to the ground.

 

I really like the "R56" badge. Where'd you get the badges to make that?

 

Scrubbed bug guts off her windshield...

 

What's the last thing to go through a bugs mind as it hits your windshield?

Its butt!

Dave

 

Funny, Dave, funny

 

got the window tint fixed... started to peel... looks nice and fresh now!!! cant wait for my bday coming up hopefully i can milk some goodies out of some family!

 

its not really officially my Mini yet since I won't get it till tomorrow or Sat, but I asked the SA to install my JCW suspension with the front struts pushed all the way in to get max camber like people do for that "free front camber, pull the guide pin" mod.

 

online tracking says my plugs wires and coil from WMW, have been delivered. hopefully i'll have it in be 5:30.

and hopefully a wash

 

Very nice! How about a night shot?

 

Added this bit of exterior cosmetic bling and expect no aerodynamic results what-so-ever.....

 

No pics yet in total darkness. I'll post when I get one taken. Thanks for the compliments.

 

Those are some slick wheels, are those Konig Illusions 18x8s? What does it say on the inner lip- Motor Rismo? pretty cool.

And may I ask, where you got them? Discount tire and tire direct have the 5-100 bolt patterns only in 18

 

1200 miles already? I only got about 700 miles on mine...and I got mine before you....do you drive it when you goto the bathroom too?