[Mr. 5]

So I posted a couple threads about where I should put the gauge and I had a couple questions with the readings that other people were getting so I could compare.

Now I thought that I'd let you guys know my opinions with this gauge.
It comes in two sizes--52mm and 60mm.
I chose the 52mm gauge since I wanted it to fit in the corner.
When I was shopping around, the most important thing for me was getting a gauge that matched the original gauges. The STRI gauge looked to be identical; both with the daytime and night time.
Well, it is! The color match is absolutely perfect!
I started out with the smoked lens gauge and got a new clear lens gauge because I thought the smoked lens was hard to see in the day time. Little did I know that if I would have hooked the wires up correctly then the smoked gauge would have worked perfectly.

The gauges have 2 stage LEDs in them. When hooked up properly, the LED is bright in the daytime (or when the headlights are off). Once you put the headlights on the gauge dims to match the stock gauges. I realized this once I had already put in the order for the clear lens gauge. Oh well, I found that I liked the clear lens gauge better, but it's only a matter of preference.

I figured out the way to hook it up properly so everything would be fully functional. I thought I'd share it with you guys.
This gauge comes with a black wire (ground), red wire (ignition), and yellow (headlights).
I chose to tap the red wire into the cigarette lighter since I knew that this was only on with ignition. The ground also was tapped into the other wire from the cig lighter.

Now for the ultimate find--I found by using the multimeter that the red/grey wire that is connected to the radio is the illumination for the radio. This was the wire that I tapped the yellow wire into. By using this wire, when using the dimmer function in the control panel, the gauge will also dim since lights in the radio dims as well.

The vacuum line is connected to the tubing into the DVs. If there's one thing that I found poorly about the STRI gauge was the vacuum line, but from what I understand the line that I received was what normally comes with mechanical boost gauges.
I chose to get a vacuum line that I used in the past from Newsouth Performance. This line is much more flexible than the white weed wacker line and the kit that I got comes with a "no buzz" connector. Those who have used mechanical gauges in the past have noticed that their gauge sometimes makes certain vibrations during boost. The newsouth kit eliminates this.
Here's the kit that I got:




Overall, I am extremely happy with this gauge! I can't believe it's only $59! I was expecting to pay much more for quality like this. It works great and I couldn't be happier with the color matching.
The first couple of pics are with the smoked gauge and the last ones are with the clear lens.
Thanks for reading!

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Looks great man. The guage in the day and night pics look OEM. Great mod.

[scpage]

Looks very nice...I'm a fan of the clear lens as it matches the cluster panel.
Nice job.

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

So I posted a couple threads about where I should put the gauge and I had a couple questions with the readings that other people were getting so I could compare.

Now I thought that I'd let you guys know my opinions with this gauge.
When I was shopping around, the most important thing for me was getting a gauge that matched the original gauges. The STRI gauge looked to be identical; both with the daytime and night time.
Well, it is! The color match is absolutely perfect!
I started out with the smoked lens gauge and got a new clear lens gauge because I thought the smoked lens was hard to see in the day time. Little did I know that if I would have hooked the wires up correctly then the smoked gauge would have worked perfectly.

The gauges have 2 stage LEDs in them. When hooked up properly, the LED is bright in the daytime (or when the headlights are off). Once you put the headlights on the gauge dims to match the stock gauges. I realized this once I had already put in the order for the clear lens gauge. Oh well, I found that I liked the clear lens gauge better, but it's only a matter of preference.

I figured out the way to hook it up properly so everything would be fully functional. I thought I'd share it with you guys.
This gauge comes with a black wire (ground), red wire (ignition), and yellow (headlights).
I chose to tap the red wire into the cigarette lighter since I knew that this was only on with ignition. The ground also was tapped into the other wire from the cig lighter.

Now for the ultimate find--I found by using the multimeter that the red/grey wire that is connected to the radio is the illumination for the radio. This was the wire that I tapped the yellow wire into. By using this wire, when using the dimmer function in the control panel, the gauge will also dim since lights in the radio dims as well.

The vacuum line is connected to the tubing into the DVs. If there's one thing that I found poorly about the STRI gauge was the vacuum line, but from what I understand the line that I received was what normally comes with mechanical boost gauges.
I chose to get a vacuum line that I used in the past from Newsouth Performance. This line is much more flexible than the white weed wacker line and the kit that I got comes with a "no buzz" connector. Those who have used mechanical gauges in the past have noticed that their gauge sometimes makes certain vibrations during boost. The newsouth kit eliminates this.
Here's the kit that I got:




Overall, I am extremely happy with this gauge! I can't believe it's only $59! I was expecting to pay much more for quality like this. It works great and I couldn't be happier with the color matching.
The first couple of pics are with the smoked gauge and the last ones are with the clear lens.
Thanks for reading!

[e90AW335i]

That looks so damn good. Great work as always Mr. 5....

[I335]

Looks great - nice work!

[Sniz]

Gonna have to buy that

Thanks!

[ChaneRZ]

nice gauge. i need one.

[M3to335]

Jumpin jesus, someone finally found a working dimmer wire. I've been waiting forever to get my STRI gauge to dim.

Looks like I have something to do this evening!

[Chowbow]

Cool, looks like a good match. I'll probably pick up one of these if I ever end up going with a tune...

[forza1976]

cool man, any chance you can take a shot of the back of the gauge and pod through the windscreen? Would like to see how that looks as well.

[pikkashoe]

How does it attach to the dash, looks like velcro?

[pikkashoe]

Thanks for the inspiration, ordering the Newsouth Performance wiring kit and gauge right now.
Quick question, how hard is it to find the red/gray wire going into the radio, do you have to remove the radio? Also, how did you access the wires to the cigarette lighter, again did you have to remove it?

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

Thanks for the inspiration, ordering the Newsouth Performance wiring kit and gauge right now.
Quick question, how hard is it to find the red/gray wire going into the radio, do you have to remove the radio? Also, how did you access the wires to the cigarette lighter, again did you have to remove it?

Yes, you have to remove the center console and the radio to get to the wiring. I believe there's a DIY to remove the radio in the DIY section.
It's not that hard.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

How does it attach to the dash, looks like velcro?

It's attached to the dash with double sided tape. The soft side of the velcro is just to hide the grey double sided tape, so it's just for looks.

[pikkashoe]

Damm I really dont want to remove the radio, damm. Ill have to find that DIY to see how hard it is.

[M3to335]

Originally Posted by pikkashoe

Damm I really dont want to remove the radio, damm. Ill have to find that DIY to see how hard it is.

Crap, I feel ya on that one. I was hoping we could just pull the center console and find the wire that way.


Mr. 5, did I read correctly? Your gauge was only $59?!?! Mine was like $125

Does yours have the digital stepper motor with recal? Maybe thats the difference. Either that or I got ripped a new one

[pikkashoe]

Well the DIY is not that bad, two clips and two screws from the looks of it.
Need to find the cigarette lighter DIY as well now.

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by M3to335

Crap, I feel ya on that one. I was hoping we could just pull the center console and find the wire that way.


Mr. 5, did I read correctly? Your gauge was only $59?!?! Mine was like $125

Does yours have the digital stepper motor with recal? Maybe thats the difference. Either that or I got ripped a new one

I don't have the peak recall so you probably got a good deal.
It's just a gauge to look at.

[Mr. 5]

I received a couple of PMs with where to order the gauge and where to get the hose kit.

Here's where I got the gauge:
http://www.ravspeconline.com/shop/ca...oducts_id=1724
They have electrical gauges also.

Here's where I got the tubing kit:
http://www.newsouthperformance.com/tubing.htm

[MacDutchski]

looks really good! i think i might have to do this.

[forza1976]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

I received a couple of PMs with where to order the gauge and where to get the hose kit.

Here's where I got the gauge:
http://www.ravspeconline.com/shop/ca...oducts_id=1724
They have electrical gauges also.

Here's where I got the tubing kit:
http://www.newsouthperformance.com/tubing.htm

Got any pics of the backside of the gauge?

[LODOSS]

Looks Great!.. Lets see some videos of it in action