Has anyone installed teh BMP gauge cluster?
If so, any good tips before I hook everything up?
BMP has a new design hook-up for the oil pressure sending unit that doesn't require tapping the top of the oil cap, but I'd like to get some tips from anyone that has performed the installed and had it running for awhile without any problems.
Thanks!

 

I have the same questions. Mine, however are with the "new" cluster made for dual guages. I see a picture for the cluster on a mini with the nav setup, but no price. Anyone know anything about this?

Frank

 

Oh come on, Shaskan and I can't be the only Mini owners with this option, speak up!

 

Hank, Yep, BMP cluster arrived Monday. They have changed to picking up the oil pressure at the sending unit instead of the filter.
You need a deep 27mm 12point socket to remove the sending unit. I started the install yesterday after a trip to Sears for the socket. The problem is the deep socket I got is not deep enough. From the end of the socket to the shoulder inside you need at least 1.785inch or it bangs on the plastic part of the sender and it won't reach the nut part of the sender. :evil:
The gauges are mounted as that was the first step. Looks cool, but non-functional.
If you have any tips on your install please let me know. Many thanks.
Woody

 

I have the gauge cluster also, and began the installation a few days ago. The gauge pod mounts just as the directions indicate. It does take a bit of fumbling to get the bolts aligned, (lower the steering column to the lowest possible position) but it mounts up fine. The boost gauge connections were pretty easy also, again just like the directions. The intercooler needs to be removed, which is very easy. I have not yet installed the oil pressure sender, as I need to get a proper sized socket, and am having a really hard time just reaching the sender. I am going to try again using a lift once I get the socket. A friend did the electrical connections for me, and while we have the boost gauge operating, we were missing the last page of instructions and were not sure how to hook up the lights to the gauges. So no lights yet. That's where I am, still more to do, but some of it completed. I love the look of the gauge pods, and now feel like the tach by itself looks rather sparse. I'd love to hear tips on access to the oil press. sender from someone who has done it.

 

DK23,
In fumbling around last night trying to get that socket to work I found the best way for me to access the sending unit was from the top side of the motor. However, I did remove the heat shield that is on top of the headers. 13MM socket for 2 bolts.
Didn't take it out jst pushed it aside.
Of course I can't tell you if I could do the adapter, etc. cause I never got the sending unit out.
I don't know about you, but I couldn't get at it from the bottom.
Woody

 

Hey Woody, the kit you received, did it have the new attaching method for the oil pressure, the one where it ataches to the sending unit and not the top of the oil cap?

 

Woody, I haven't even been able to get the plug off the sending unit, not to mention get a wrench on it. I still need to find the right sized socket. Is access from above easier than from below with the car on a lift? Thru the wheel well is impossible.
David

 

Your right, there are two types of deep sockets that I've seen. Some brands have a 12 point section that only travels into the socket about 3/4" and then the hole narrows to a small hole in the center. Other brands follow the 12 point socket section almost the entire length of the socket. The latter is what you need to find. Sears has changed vendors several times over the last 30 years, as I'm sure other companies have also. You need to just check the inside of the socket. I'm sure mini has a special tool, for the job, but that "special" tool will cost a Special "price".

The new style adapter is a little more work on initial installation, but less involvement on future oil changes. But it requires no drilling, and no exchange of oil cap. And the adapter is included and the price did not go up.

 

bluethunder:
Are you saying the new style adaptor set-up is now available and that BMP is shipping it with the full kits at no extra charge? Because if that is so I am one very pissed off customer. I have been waiting over a month for mine, I have called BMP three times in the past three weeks and each time I am told the parts won't be finished for another week! And if they are shipping them with the full gauge kit, than I expect to get mine free of charge!

 

Hank,
yes the kit I have DOES NOT pick up from the oil filter it picks up pressure at the sending unit.
You have to remove the original unit, install a brass fitting, then put the orig. sender back in to the brass fitting, install 45degree fitting in the side of the brass fitting and install the electrical sender for the gauge into the 45 .
Hope this makes sense and is the same as yours

DK23
Yes, I got to my sender from the top. Did remove heat shield that is on top of the headers (2 bolts). I tried thru the wheel well, not a chance! I tried from underneath with the car on stands (don't have a lift) that didn't work either. So I stuck with the top.
The electric plug comes of this way - on top of the plastic plug there is an orange tab, if you are standing in front of the car you push the tab to the left (passenger side) then pull the plug, rearward (obviously). With mine I also had to kinda pull on the passenger side of the tab just a little bit to get it to release.
Then make sure you see the previous post about my bout with the 27MM socket, also the post from bluethunder.
I'm still looking for the socket. I called the garage down the street and there tool man is here on Monday. So I'm going to see if he's got one.

 

DK23
I also forgot to mention to you about the directions. I got pages 1 thru 5 but at the end of page 5 I could see that there should be more directions. Page 6 maybe. Called BMP, talked to Stephanie and she faxed me another page 5 (many thanks Stephanie) which must be from a different set of directions, but it had the rest of the info needed for the install.
Hope this helps
Woody

 

Hey guys I got two problems solved today thanks to our chats on this thread.

First off, the set of instructions is actually seven pages. Pages 6 and 7 are from Auto Meter and are basic overall wiring schematics for the entire install. While not that necessary to complete the install, its nice to see the complete layout cause the BMP instructions are pretty poor. I am in the 'instruction' business so I feel I have some credibility to make that comment.

If anybody wants those two pages, give me your fax numbers and I will fax them to you. Better to fax them than post them on the MCO site.

The other problem I solved was that I finally managed BMP to caugh up one of those new sending units. After three phones calls and 5 weeks of waiting they are going to FedEx it to me today. Now I can look forward to the complete install and all the problems that will throw at me. I will read through everyone's post here as a suppliment to the printed instructions. I am anxoius to get this puppy hooked up before my JCW upgrade, this way I will be able to make clear technical comparisons between the S and the JCW.

 

Hank,
Thanks for the fax offer, I will take you up on it. Check your PM. If anyone finds a socket, please post the info. I'm still looking.

 

any pics?

i realy want the two pro mini style gauges around the tach for the oil pressure and the boost

however i am pretty electronically dumb

so what do you guys suggest for someone like me? i cant afford the 450 bucks for the promini gauges

 

Autometer? Apexi?

 

Tha gauges that come in the Promini kit are Autometer. Its a nice package, the wiring harness, clips and all the monuting stuff make it worthwhile, however the instructions leave a lot to be desired.
I think that many of the aftermarket companies think that when they sell stuff, the people that are buying are auto mechanics, so they really don't put much into the instructions figuring an auto mechanic will know what to do anyway. Not a good appraoch to take.
Does anyone live near a NAPA store, they may have that particular socket?

 

I'm still waiting for Monday to find out if the tool man (not Tayor) has the 27MM socket necesary for this install. Everything else is done. Just need to do the sender work and connect the wire.

Hank and DK23 ------ do you guys know if there is a standard socket that would fit this damn sender - say like 1-1/16 - you know like 1/2 inch is the same as 13MM. It would have to be the correct fit, nothing sloppy?
Woody

 

DocSandy:
I haven't gotten that far yet. After calling BMP for four weeks, on Friday I finaloly got them to FedEx out the new style connecotr for the sending unit! Hopefully I will be able to finish the install next week.
Would NAPA Auto Parts or efven Pep Boys carry the type of socket wrench needed?

 

I will check NAPA tomorrow, Pep Boys has only a 6 pt. deep 27mm socket. I have everything working now except the oil pressure sender. Boost gauge is pretty interesting to watch. It reads in vacumn until you hammer the throttle, then the boost goes nuts. (pulley and ECU installed). You can set the warning lite to come on at any pressure.

 

Ok, finished up the install today. I have a couple of tips that worked for me. I accessed the oil pressure sending unit from above after removing the two heat shields by the exhaust headers. It provides reasonable access. I had borrowed a Snap-on 27mm deep socket, but it really didn't work very well. The sending unit is a very strange shape, not really a 27mm. I found a 12 pt. box end 26mm wrench worked very well to loosen the sender. After that it is pretty straight forward. Also, the lighting source is a gray with red stripe wire that is over by the dimmer switch, not the same colored wire in the bundle over on the left of the steering column. Hope this helps.