Full digital display gauge set for 911

[octanemaestro]

Are there any sources and pictures of anyone who has converted the instrumentation to fully digital displays on their older 911, and perhaps converted the glovebox area too to digital display?

Can you imagine how fantastic that would be to have full digital dashboard gauges like a 2019 car and 2 SRS retrofit airbags.... Awesome. That would be worth a lot. That along with modern heat, AC, defrosters, power locks, auto-down/up windows, except for ABS, you'd have a pretty darn modern car.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Is it wrong that I DON'T want any of that modern stuff in my 911? Kudos to you if you can make it all work.

[Steam Driver]

I was thinking the same thing; if you want that fru-fru you have the wrong car. Sell it and get a late-model 911.

[AG81]

Why would you want to do this?

[LIRS6]

Originally Posted by octanemaestro

Can you imagine how fantastic that would be .....

Not really .....

Jason

[Slanski62]

In defense of the OP, I think it would be cool to have a car with the classic 911 styling and modern conveniences. Call it a 911-2020. Until then, I’ve got the bases covered with my ‘87 Carrera plus ‘13 M3��

[Tom '74 911]

The only digital displays I've seen in older 911s have been in race cars using a Motec or Aim or other digital dash, usually tied in to an engine management and data system. The aesthetic is a personal choice thing...

[75 911s]

recently saw a 'backdated' 996 so your dream car exists.

[QueWhy]

Barf. 911 gauges are iconic and make the interior instantly recognizable. If the quality of dash display is that important I think a classic 911 is the wrong car for you.

[Reiver]

For the majority the analog aspect of the older air cooled models IS the attraction.....no Nannies and the vehicle communicates in the old manner it was designed to.
Feel.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Steam Driver

I was thinking the same thing; if you want that fru-fru you have the wrong car. Sell it and get a late-model 911.

I don't understand this sort of thinking and chuckle at how it doesn't infect small aircraft owners; many put as much modern instrumentation and electronics in their old planes as they can afford (very common to see $25K + instrument panel components in aircraft built in the 60s and 70s). The fact that so many vintage car owners are averse to combining and taking advantage of the best of modern and antique is very amusing.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by octanemaestro

Are there any sources and pictures of anyone who has converted the instrumentation to fully digital displays on their older 911, and perhaps converted the glovebox area too to digital display?

Can you imagine how fantastic that would be to have full digital dashboard gauges like a 2019 car and 2 SRS retrofit airbags.... Awesome. That would be worth a lot. That along with modern heat, AC, defrosters, power locks, auto-down/up windows, except for ABS, you'd have a pretty darn modern car.

I can't think of anything more absurd than what you are describing. That's the polar opposite of what an air cooled 911 is all about. When I was reading this, I actually thought this was a troll post or an April fools joke.

[targa80]

This falls under the category of personal taste, I for one will not speak negatively of your desire for modern conveniences in a 30+ year old sports car. I do watch many custom car shows on the Motor trend channel and not all restorations of older cars are meant to maintain the original design of the car. whether your into Concourse, custom, track, street sleeper or a reliable daily driver the choice is an individual one. I like some modern conveniences that don't drastically change the appearance of my car. I have an updated radio/multi - CD player and speakers, remote door locks that are tied into the original alarm system (bypasses the alarm key in the drivers door). Updated headlights and the main fuse panel, added USB and blue tooth capability. looking at possibly upgrading the alternator and going with the electrocooler Air conditioner system. Heck, I have even been looking at the CIS to EFI conversion. The amount of money I spend is always an issue since I am retired, I'm not poor but I do consider the cost of each mod.

[fanaudical]

I have not seen this done to an older 911. I've seen some race cars with various mix of gauges in the existing dash, but never a full "modern retrofit". Personal tastes aside, I do think this is possible.

I have not really seen the products to do it (am guessing somebody makes it). What is the "Garmin G1000" equivalent for the automotive world?

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

I don't understand this sort of thinking and chuckle at how it doesn't infect small aircraft owners; many put as much modern instrumentation and electronics in their old planes as they can afford (very common to see $25K + instrument panel components in aircraft built in the 60s and 70s). The fact that so many vintage car owners are averse to combining and taking advantage of the best of modern and antique is very amusing.

I think I get your point but also think I understand some of the reasoning behind the difference.

Most of us have these cars as a virtual step back in time to our own past or a desire to experience a generation old classic sports car. The vintage aesthetic is an important aspect to that. We want it old. Or at least to seem that way. I have added some "modern" touches to mine but they retain a large portion of the vintage feel and are not immediately recognizable as not original. Examples are LED tail and signal lights as a safety factor to potentially avoid someone crashing into me, the CD player in my dash is a Porsche branded Becker CDR unit with which I can play or charge my iphone or an ipod. Some add upgraded air conditioning or heated seats or headlights like HID or LED. But those retain the vintage the original vibe and are not noticeable except to those who know these cars inside and out.

When someone buys an old Super Cub or similar, I don't imagine the original appearance of the dash is really a deciding or contributing factor. The experience or performance (or cost) is. They might, however, retrofit with large tundra tires and leverage its STOL capabilities to be able to drop into an isolated sand bar on a river that looks like a great fishing spot or place to camp, or a solitary flat patch near the peak of a mountain, areas only accessible to others in a helicopter.

The things that concern those people are features like navigation and communication, their ability and ease of use. Some find nav in the middle of nowhere (and growing up on the north west coast of Canada not far from Alaska, I know what that is) difficult or impossible using just a paper map, an E6B and a compass.

Yes, there are some that want it just because. A full glass cockpit's bling factor in a vintage aircraft is certainly cool. But it does serve a valuable purpose, too. Car guys want the vintage feel and experience. If it stops working for some reason, it's hardly a life changing experience. In a Beech 18, it might mean never seeing your wife and kids again.

I don't begrudge the OP's desire or question. I wish him all the best in his search if he embarks on such a plan. If someone created digital instrumentation that mimicked the original look, that might be interesting to me, but it seems unnecessary and unlikely to ever happen. So as for myself, I'm going to look onto my iconic five gauge analog panel with nostalgia and enjoyment as I travel back in virtual time.

[QueWhy]

I think the light aircraft example more closely follows the race car example. Function trumps form in every instance. For the aircraft it's added safety and capability and for the race car it's performance.

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

I think I get your point but also think I understand some of the reasoning behind the difference.

Most of us have these cars as a virtual step back in time to our own past or a desire to experience a generation old classic sports car. The vintage aesthetic is an important aspect to that. We want it old. Or at least to seem that way. I have added some "modern" touches to mine but they retain a large portion of the vintage feel and are not immediately recognizable as not original. Examples are LED tail and signal lights as a safety factor to potentially avoid someone crashing into me, the CD player in my dash is a Porsche branded Becker CDR unit with which I can play or charge my iphone or an ipod. Some add upgraded air conditioning or heated seats or headlights like HID or LED. But those retain the vintage the original vibe and are not noticeable except to those who know these cars inside and out.

When someone buys an old Super Cub or similar, I don't imagine the original appearance of the dash is really a deciding or contributing factor. The experience or performance (or cost) is. They might, however, retrofit with large tundra tires and leverage its STOL capabilities to be able to drop into an isolated sand bar on a river that looks like a great fishing spot or place to camp, or a solitary flat patch near the peak of a mountain, areas only accessible to others in a helicopter.

The things that concern those people are features like navigation and communication, their ability and ease of use. Some find nav in the middle of nowhere (and growing up on the north west coast of Canada not far from Alaska, I know what that is) difficult or impossible using just a paper map, an E6B and a compass.

Yes, there are some that want it just because. A full glass cockpit's bling factor in a vintage aircraft is certainly cool. But it does serve a valuable purpose, too. Car guys want the vintage feel and experience. If it stops working for some reason, it's hardly a life changing experience. In a Beech 18, it might mean never seeing your wife and kids again.

I don't begrudge the OP's desire or question. I wish him all the best in his search if he embarks on such a plan. If someone created digital instrumentation that mimicked the original look, that might be interesting to me, but it seems unnecessary and unlikely to ever happen. So as for myself, I'm going to look onto my iconic five gauge analog panel with nostalgia and enjoyment as I travel back in virtual time.

I agree with this--I love my car for its elemental form. That said, I understand completely if someone wants to modernize it. Mine will someday have electric air conditioning and electronically controlled ITBs. Different strokes.

Best of luck to the OP, and please keep us posted if you install them.

[sugarwood]

https://www.total911.com/five-dial-dashboard-a-porsche-911-history/

[786]

Originally Posted by ag81

why would you want to do this?

+1

[pkabush]

Like most person that own vintage cars, I’m definitely on the anolog side. I love old gauges. The green faced are my favorite. I do have a PLX AFR gauge but only because it’s a necessary evil with a boosted motor.
I watch allot of the shows on MT as well. I cringe when I see them rip out all the cool old gauges and replace em with digital. Same goes with installing white face gauges in 911s. Thankfully that fad is over.
But hey, it’s your car. Whatever floats your boat.