Bye Bye guages.. Hello TFT and Single board computer.

[Super73]

Not sure how many have seen or know about my truck, but it's a 63 pick up with a LS1 / 4L80E swapped in it. The only guages that actually work with out my laptop hooked up to it are the gas guage and oil pressure. When ever I drive it around, I have my laptop on my passanger seat which plugs in to the OBD2 port and runs my scanning pogram (also a tuning program). With the new seats in the truck, I think it will be much harder to see it and more likely to slide off the seat. So I have opted to put together a single board computer with TFT.

This type of stuff is what I sell on a daily basis, so why not put something together. I don't sell the lower end consumer based products, so everything is going to be semi custom. The cables, specific inverter, display. I'll put some pics up as I start to build it.

[vin63]

That's very cool...thin film transister display - great idea. I use my Palm PDA for my gauges in my Duramax, too, just for that very reason. Post some photos when you can. How large of screen will you be using?

[Super73]

I have a 8.4" SVGA in my hands right now. If I can get a 12.1" WSVGA to fit, that would be even slicker. I might also be able to get a 9" WVGA to fit, just not too sure thats the resolution I want.

[Super73]

What guage set up do you think would look best next to the TFT?

[nuke1]

Personally i would go with the second one has the old school look to it but also and updated look lending it self to the display that you want to go with, just my 2 cents. Sorry for the caps locks work computer.

[19GMC63]

That's pretty darn cool... keep us updated.

I like the first or second... anything with that sweep style that makes it look like one individual piece and not 4 individual gauges... if that makes any sense. The last one doesn't look right IMHO.

[leftcoast66]

I really like the first or 3rd. Both are simple. 2nd looks like it belongs in knight rider or somethin like that. I'm stoked to see how the lil computer turns out for the truck.

[tiggamonsta]

If you are going with a computer screen for everything else, why not digital for those guages? Run dual head on the computer. You could put both screens behind a single piece of glass. If you cut it in right with a black dash it could even look like there are no gauges when the truck is off. Not sure how custom you are going with your dash.

[Tomsriv]

I like the duality of having a simple old rust bucket truck with a high tech gauge display. Will be interesting to see how it comes out. It was enough of a challenge for me to just get the stock gauges working.

[kdrodworks316]

WOW, make me feel dumb, I cant get my stock water temp gauge work and look what you are doing. Its damn cool, and I like the second set of gauges.

[Super73]

Tiggamonster,

I would but oil pressure and gas are the two that would be somewhat dificult. Oil goes through the Body control module for a 4th Gen F-body harnes. I'm not using a BCM, only using the Engine control module. I guess I could use a 5v sensor and bring it through HP tuners on one of the analog ins. Come to think of it, I might be able to do something similar for the gas. I'll have to poke around and see if HP tuners has a reistance setting on their anolog ins.

[SCOTI]

I have watched for your posts to try & learn some stuff about the LS drivetrains. Can you give us knuckle heads a 'basic orientation' on this? Will basic gauges not work w/LS based swaps?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I'd go with the black one in the second pic myself.

And check these guys for your monitor......

http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/raw-lcd-modules.aspx

[MEANlowGREEN]

I like the second one best. Anyone of them will look pretty cool paired with a TFT though...

[Super73]

Scoti,

Sorry, didn't see your post till now..

LS1's in anything are fairly simple. There are things that might and might not work. the LS1tech hybrid section is a great source for questions!! But let me try and run over a few basics.

To get a LS1 running in your vehicle you need to wire the following things:

Fuel pump relay
Ignition relay
(2) ECM relays
Fan Relay
Wire the serial interphace for the OB2 port

But, here is a link to LS1tech's hybrid section for FAQ's. There is a ton of info here including different ECM pin outs.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312119

There are only a couple of guages that will work providing you don't spend the money on the converter modules..

Speedo is driven by voltage on the newer stuff, your won't work with out an semi expensive converter box.

You can convert the LS series to manual oil pressure to retain your factory guage fairly easy. The part number for the fitting set is in the above link.

Voltage is fine

Gas shouldn't change

Water temp. I never attempted to make this work as I always had my laptop in the truck. I would guess it would be fairly simple to do. You just need to make sure the temp sedning units for your year vehicle are used as there might be a difference in resistance.


As far as what guages I'm going with.. I think I have a way to get my oil pressure on the TFT now as well as fuel. I'll be hooking a oil pressure sending unit up to my compressor with an adjustable regulator. Put an input voltage to the sensor and log the output. Move the pressure from 0 to 100 in 5psi increments. I can then set up a criteria in HP tuners for it.

I'll most likely do something similar for the fuel. Cell is a 16 gal cell, so I'll take a resistance readin at empty, put 2 ga in and log that for 1/8 tank, 4 ga in log that for 1/4 tank ect. Should come of fairly accurate.

[QWYKTRUK]

I would probably go with the bottom set up simply because the oil press and water temp would need to be seen easily and easy to read.
JHMO, John

Originally Posted by Super73

What guage set up do you think would look best next to the TFT?

[Super73]

Won't need the guages now since everything can be run on the TFT..

[pcmcobra]

Scoti:
I am using stock gauges on my 86 6.0 swap.
Even the same sending units. Just need a couple of adapters, one for oil pressure, and one for coolant temp. Yours should be the same.

[Super73]

I'm assuming those are electric guages in that year truck?

[olsofti]

I was thinking of trying to use the stock 2003 speedo and gauges with my 5.3 swap.Any info or suggestions if that would work?Does the BCM have to be used?A pinout of the gauge cluster would be helpful.
I know I'm asking a lot of questions,I'm hoping someone knows the answers.
Thanks

[65ShortStep]

Just wondering if you had made any progress with this? Would love to see pics when you get it all set up.

[PrerunnerRob]

Originally Posted by olsofti

I was thinking of trying to use the stock 2003 speedo and gauges with my 5.3 swap.Any info or suggestions if that would work?Does the BCM have to be used?A pinout of the gauge cluster would be helpful.
I know I'm asking a lot of questions,I'm hoping someone knows the answers.
Thanks

PM me, I may what you are looking for. I have the service books for a Silverado, I'd post here but am not sure if it would be frowned upon.