Once that boost comes on, does anyone really "see" their instruments?

[Tilikum Turbo]

Although I have to admire the layout of the old-school 5-gauge setup on the 911,
once I drive between 8-10th's and 10/10th's of the capability of the car, i don't "see" the gauges anymore, since my concentration level is so high, and everything is happening so fast, there simply isn't time to look at speed/rev's, etc.

I compare this to driving a super-bike, where you have to pay 100% concentration on the actual driving and nothing else(when driven close to or at the limit.

Am I alone on this?

[Roby466]

I must admit that the AFR gauge I installed to make sure I was ok on boost, well I don't really want to look at it while on boost... nor can I.

[philip j]

That's the beauty of data logging, you have a record of your run. After 140 mph the hands get a little sweaty though! I can see where the Alcantera wheel would come in handy. Philip

[mark houghton]

I drive with my peripheral vision on the gauges...when I'm not $hitting my pants that is. I've chanced an occasional glimpse to just confirm I'm not about to see (hear) the death throws of too lean. But then, I don't go 140mph on the back country roads....not made for that...so I've got all the time in the world to look at gauges at just a mere 100.

[JFairman]

It's real hard to take your eyes off the road to look at the instruments when boost is happening. Thats why it's very nice to have a shift light.

I made my own with a digital rpm switch velcro'd down behind the tachometer. You use the purple/black wire from the tach for the rpm signal.

There's a hole already in the instrument cluster sheetmetal the tach is mounted in at about 2 o clock to the tach. You can feel it through the vinyl. I put a light in that hole powered by the rpm switch set to 6500 rpms and it works great.

There's also another hole already back there at 10 o clock fwiw.

[Tippy]

That's the beauty of data logging, you have a record of your run. After 140 mph the hands get a little sweaty though! I can see where the Alcantera wheel would come in handy. Philip

Yeah, it's amazing how "off" the data is from what you interpret. The displays may be quick and you "think" you saw the data accurate, but it really takes a datalog to really see what's going on.

[oilonly]

Just the boost gauge.

[Ken911]

Just the tach on the way out of a corner then down the straight check the oil temp and pressure then boost on the way to the braking point check the speed. Never look at any of the gauges in the corners.

[iamchappy]

I have short gears in my transmission so things happen way fast, i have to video the gauges for review.
Shift light is set to go off at 6000 but I often hit the rev limiter at 7000 because i cant shift fast enough.
I lifted the tires once shifting from 2nd to 3rd.
I sometimes can see the boost. or i sometimes can see the AFR but never both, they are pillar mounted.
The engine is also in a 2200lb 914....

[jsveb]

Iamchappy, I know I have said it before, but your car is super sweet!!!

I can't see it either. I have a tell tale on the boost gauge, when driving all I do is glance on the rpm trying to shift about 5500. For logging I have an innovate lma-3 logging boost, rpm, G's, and warm control pressure.

[krasuskyp]

hmmm, I've gotten rather good (well rehearsed) @ glimpsing my tach or telltale or AFR whilst on the boogie (which is pretty much everywhere, all the time)... but never any combo thereof 8-)

I did clock my gauges which verymuch helps, my shift point is 12noon so that's easy. My AFR is a beyotch down in the AC cluster, but again so much day in day out WOT practice and I can read it when I need to regardless of circumstance.

It is drawersoilingly terrifying tho, always. Love that!

[T77911S]

you have built one of my dream cars. the 914 that is. absoluletly beautiful. love the color too,

1st to me is useless. things happen way too fast. i feellike i am scrambling to reach gears and sterring wheel, like i am about to fall off the back of a horse that just took. kinda like a cartoon. the car has gone but i am still in my original place.

[gumba]

I like the old school look and built these. The race car tach has everything I need to see in the center gauge at a glance.
I did a simpler version for the turbo. Tach, a/f gauge and shift light. The light to the left of the tach is a low a/f warning light.