Pics of 996 Carerra cluster into Boxster - Page 3 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Cloudsurfer · 05-23-2007, 07:32 AM

The shop that is going to do mine charges $200, which also includes shipping back to you.

As for the trim, yes, the 996 cluster is two "rings" wider than the 986 cluster, so you can either cut the 986 piece (as I did, very carefully I might add) or purchase a 996 instrument surround (very expensive).

Patrick

porsche986spyder · 05-23-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwm750

The shop that is going to do mine charges $200, which also includes shipping back to you.

As for the trim, yes, the 996 cluster is two "rings" wider than the 986 cluster, so you can either cut the 986 piece (as I did, very carefully I might add) or purchase a 996 instrument surround (very expensive).

Patrick

Thanks for all you info. Very helpfull. Now I just need to find a white faced one for sale some place. I found some on e-bay but they were all black faced gauges.

fornowh · 05-24-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche986spyder

What does DME stand for?

Could you tell me where you purchase the intakes (Truflow) on your car, or what model, I am looking through the web, but I do not see any application chart. Did you paint those -the red paint- looks great and is there a after market plenum for the boxster. I have a 2003 S.

Thanks

Thumper · 05-24-2007, 08:54 AM

Patrick,

Can you go into your OBC and get the oil level? My cluster gives me a failure notice when I go into it to get the oil level, which indicates that my cluster is more than likely from a TT with the dry sump system which reads the oil level differently than a C2. Not sure if the C4 uses the same oil system as a C2 or a Boxster. I also don't know if the fuel gauge is reading correctly yet, but it does read "Full" with my full tank of gas. The C4 and the TT use a saddle type tank which has a different type of sending unit. The miles to empty reading appears to be accurate based upon my average mileage per tank of gas, but I won't know until I go out and burn some of that expensive fuel.

Otherwise, my cluster works great. I don't know if I'm ready to invest in another cluster just yet. (I'm on my second cluster....the first was fried) But I probably will since little things like this drive me nuts.

Jeff

porsche986spyder · 05-24-2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fornowh

Could you tell me where you purchase the intakes (Truflow) on your car, or what model, I am looking through the web, but I do not see any application chart. Did you paint those -the red paint- looks great and is there a after market plenum for the boxster. I have a 2003 S.

Thanks

I sent you a P.M.

porsche986spyder · 05-24-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

Patrick,

Can you go into your OBC and get the oil level? My cluster gives me a failure notice when I go into it to get the oil level, which indicates that my cluster is more than likely from a TT with the dry sump system which reads the oil level differently than a C2. Not sure if the C4 uses the same oil system as a C2 or a Boxster. I also don't know if the fuel gauge is reading correctly yet, but it does read "Full" with my full tank of gas. The C4 and the TT use a saddle type tank which has a different type of sending unit. The miles to empty reading appears to be accurate based upon my average mileage per tank of gas, but I won't know until I go out and burn some of that expensive fuel.

Otherwise, my cluster works great. I don't know if I'm ready to invest in another cluster just yet. (I'm on my second cluster....the first was fried) But I probably will since little things like this drive me nuts.

Jeff

All this hasle just to get 2 extra gauges! I'm beginning to think it's NOT WORTH IT. The gauges are an extra oil temp, and an extra battery volt gauge. Kinda lame.

Why not just add an autometer dual gauge pod over the steering wheel? They make one for our cars.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4259_4804/products_id/16118

Cloudsurfer · 05-24-2007, 09:49 AM

Jeff-

My oil gauge works properly, and it appears my fuel gauge is accurate now after a re-set. I'll confirm once it gets low after I deal with replacing my clutch

The oil level gauges are different on the Turbo motors, but should be the same on a C2 or C4. As I said, mine is accurate. As for fuel, a C4 or TT gauge will not be accuate, due to the saddle tank to accomodate the front drive components.

As far as this being "worth it," mine has gone fairly smoothly, and I am very happy to have oil pressure, voltage is semi useful (useful to me as I have a high end audio install), and I love the dot matrix cluster and was thrilled to get rid of the "pretty Boxster" font on the gauge faces.

You could certainly get the same information by doing a gauge pod, and before I did this I was planning to install 3 gauges on top of my climate controls where the cubby is. I still would like oil temp somewhere, but I am very happy with this upgrade. Worst case, I'll get the dealer to calibrate my fuel level sender if it is still off.

Patrick

Thumper · 05-24-2007, 09:57 AM

The cluster swap is easier to install than the gauge pod idea offered up and is rice free. Not to mention it gives you a factory look. The added dot matrix display and OBC is worth the effort all by itself.

porsche986spyder · 05-24-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

The cluster swap is easier to install than the gauge pod idea offered up and is rice free. Not to mention it gives you a factory look. The added dot matrix display and OBC is worth the effort all by itself.

True, but the enclosed dual gauge pod over the steering wheel still keeps it factory looking. It's not like there are wires hanging out all over the place in the back of it or anything. Rice?? Not really when you think about all of those guys at the auto-x track with multiple guages on their nice German Porsches riding around on the race track. Besides, I would much rather have an air/fuel ratio gauge and a oil "pressure" gauge not temp installed. You can guy electrical ones that are not as hard to install as the mechanical ones. Or a boost guage for all you superchaged boxsters out there.

Cloudsurfer · 05-24-2007, 08:21 PM

I would hardly call a gauge pod "factory" but thats just my opinion. As far as the instrumentation goes, the 996 cluster IS oil pressure, not temp. As for Air/Fuel, its only useful if you have a way to adjust it, i.e. a tuned turbo car running a Utech for example. Unless you're going to ditch the factory ECU for a standalone management system, an Air/Fuel gauge isnt going to do you much good at all. If you are running a boosted car, of course, a boost gauge is nice.

All in all, I still contend this is a very worthwhile mod.

Patrick

LowFlyR · 05-27-2007, 02:35 AM

Does anybody got an idea if part number 996-641-984-7470C would work with 2001 Boxster S Tip?

porsche986spyder · 05-29-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwm750

I would hardly call a gauge pod "factory" but thats just my opinion. As far as the instrumentation goes, the 996 cluster IS oil pressure, not temp. As for Air/Fuel, its only useful if you have a way to adjust it, i.e. a tuned turbo car running a Utech for example. Unless you're going to ditch the factory ECU for a standalone management system, an Air/Fuel gauge isnt going to do you much good at all. If you are running a boosted car, of course, a boost gauge is nice.

All in all, I still contend this is a very worthwhile mod.

Patrick

Gauges are mainly for monitoring purposes. When I had a Jackson Racing Supercharger installed in my last car, I had an oil pressure gauge, an air/fuel ratio gauge and a volt meter gauge. It came with a piggyback ECU that I wasn't able to modify. So YES, they are good for a stand alone fuel system but at the same time they are just there for watching and keeping an eye on the engine to make sure everything is working properly. But just like the air/fuel ratio gauge, you CAN'T adjust your oil pressure on your new instrument cluster, so it's basicaly no different than for monitoring purposes only. Most people do it for looks and monitoring the engine. I plan on adding a chip or modified ECU to my boxster, so I wanted to watch the air/fuel ratio and make sure it will not run to lean.

Again I won't be able to adjust it, nor the oil pressure. Just be able to watch it.

Thumper · 05-30-2007, 01:26 PM

porsche986spyder · 05-30-2007, 01:41 PM

Thumper, I have to admit that looks dam good! Did you buy the outer instrument shroud too and paint it silver? Or did you just cut your existing one? What color are your gauge faces? It's kind of hard to tell, white, silver or black? It looks awsome!

Thumper · 05-30-2007, 02:03 PM

The Carrera gauge pod is a leather one from a 996TT. The cluster surround was already painted silver. The gauge faces are grey. Super hard to find. The only problem is that the cluster ended up being from a 996TT (I was assured that it was from a C2), so the oil level indicator doesn't work as the TT uses a dry sump system. I will ultimately change it out for a C2 cluster, but I can save the grey gauge faces by just swapping out the motherboard between the two clusters. Although I really like the black face gauges. The pics don't show it, but the OBC dot matrix display is ultra cool as you toggle thru the various screens. Graphical images and color too!

porsche986spyder · 05-30-2007, 02:22 PM

Okay, now I'm jealous. I want one with the white faces. What year is your Boxster?

By the way, be carefull when changing the faces of the gauges because it usually requires the needles/pointers to be pulled off first before you can put the different color gauge faces back on and can ALSO result in the reading being off. I had some Indiglow guages I put on my last car and it was hard as hell to get the needle to fall in the exact same place as before. Almost imposible unless the Porsche uses a different method. I found out the best way to get the needles to read correctly was to connect everything first and have the gas tank at half full so the needle is exactly in the midle. All the other needles usaully can rest on the small stoppers when the car is turned off.

Thumper · 05-30-2007, 08:20 PM

Mine is a 2001. The gauge needles can be a real bear to get off. I take a pic of the gauges before disassembly and then refer to it when I put the needles back on. I haven't had any trouble getting them to line back up just like they were when I removed them, but I could have just been lucky.

Try to find a cluster than you can verify is good. The first cluster I got looked perfect, but something was fried in it, as when I hooked it up I did not get any lights to work and I could hear a relay or two down by the fuse box just a-clickin. I couldn't get it disconnected fast enough. When I plugged in my second cluster, it worked like a champ.

porsche986spyder · 05-31-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

Mine is a 2001. The gauge needles can be a real bear to get off. I take a pic of the gauges before disassembly and then refer to it when I put the needles back on. I haven't had any trouble getting them to line back up just like they were when I removed them, but I could have just been lucky.

Try to find a cluster than you can verify is good. The first cluster I got looked perfect, but something was fried in it, as when I hooked it up I did not get any lights to work and I could hear a relay or two down by the fuse box just a-clickin. I couldn't get it disconnected fast enough. When I plugged in my second cluster, it worked like a champ.

Please send me the part number if you decide to get a new cluster of one that has a working oil level built into it. I want to do this mod, but want to buy the correct cluster and I don't want to loose my oil level indicator. Mine is a 2001 also.

Cloudsurfer · 05-31-2007, 05:33 PM

Thumper- Nice install! I like the Carerra pod, esp in silver. If your cluster is from a TT, both your oil level shouldnt work, and you should have major fuel gauge issues due to the C4 and TT having a saddle tank.

Dont you love the graphical OBC though!

Patrick

Thumper · 05-31-2007, 05:49 PM

Thanks. I've heard that my fuel gauge should be off due to the TT having a saddle tank configuration, but actually it has been very accurate. The graphical display rocks! Still working on a solution for the top light not working. I think that the cluster just needs to be told that it is in a convertible, but whall on the Rennlist forum has been working with a Porsche mechanic and they have yet to figure out how to change the cluster settings to accomplish this.

I'm taking mine into RUF to see if they have a solution. They installed Carrera clusters in their Boxster conversions, so I'm sure that they dealt with this problem. I am also keeping an eye out for a cluster from a C2 cabriolet. I have a feeling that the top light would work if I were to find one. Till then, this cluster will work just fine.