shift light help

1991notchbackLX · Sep 16, 2009

I'd like to install a simple shift light in my car that's activated at a certain preset RPM. I'd prefer only the light (I already have an Autometer tach mounted in-dash in a Florida 5.0 gauge panel) and I'd prefer to mount it somewhere on the steering column or maybe even on the A-Pillar. I'm just not into the look of the MONSTA-TACH drilled into the dash with the light brighter than the sun that lights up the entire cabin. I'd like something low-key and functional. Suggestions? How are they wired up and how do I set the RPM? Pics of what you've got would be cool too. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

Chris

90lxcoupe · Sep 16, 2009

they make them with the RPM pills built right into the light, but thats the bigger style light thats brighter than the sun. They do have smaller ones that are like the size of a ball point pen, but they need a signal to know when to light up, i would search summit and see what you get there, or even just call them

Edit: took a quick look at summit.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-5332/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-5330/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-5310/

If it was me i would go with the adjustable light and the control module with the pills. I've got the light on my tach, but i dont really use it as much as i used to, lately ive been shifting by my ear and by feel

92GreenGT · Sep 16, 2009

I have a MSD light that uses the pills mounted on the steering column that I got used off Ebay for $25. Simple and effective, I didn't want to spend too much on it so that's what led to my decision. It actually came with the steering column piece too so I done pretty good I thought.

time only · Sep 16, 2009

I mounted my shiftlight on the dash by the flasher switch,it is visible but not like the 5" tach. The larger Autometer comes standard with a yellow lens cover that cut down on the output of the light ( I only takes it off when I am at the track and really need to see the light during daylight hours ). You could order a blue lens set that will cut down the output even more.
I have a MSD6AL and there is a port build-in to take one of the shiftlight wire to get the RPM signal. One wire from the shiftlight goes to ground and one go to a 12volt souce,and I believe that is it.

90lxcoupe · Sep 16, 2009

i was just thinking, you have the same steering wheel as me.

you know what would be cool, mount the shift light where the horn button is, dont right it would look really clean

1991notchbackLX · Sep 16, 2009

Thanks for the help guys! I like the looks of this one Auto Meter 5330 - Auto Meter Quick-Lite Shift Lights - Overview - SummitRacing.com
It wouldn't be too hard for me to tap into a tach signal wire for the light, but it looks like this one just has a plug on the end of it. I have to call Summit and see if that plug would just plug into my tach in the dash.

90lxcoupe said:
i was just thinking, you have the same steering wheel as me.

you know what would be cool, mount the shift light where the horn button is, dont right it would look really clean

Funny you say that, I was thinking the same exact thing. I'm not sure if my skills could pull it off as cleanly as I'd want though.

90lxcoupe · Sep 16, 2009

1991notchbackLX said:
Funny you say that, I was thinking the same exact thing. I'm not sure if my skills could pull it off as cleanly as I'd want though.

i dont think it would be as hard as you think, but i dont know how much space is behine the wheel before it would hit something

1991notchbackLX · Sep 16, 2009

92GreenGT said:
I have a MSD light that uses the pills mounted on the steering column that I got used off Ebay for $25. Simple and effective, I didn't want to spend too much on it so that's what led to my decision. It actually came with the steering column piece too so I done pretty good I thought.

Do you have any pics of your setup Dave? Thanks man!

1991notchbackLX · Sep 16, 2009

90lxcoupe said:
i dont think it would be as hard as you think, but i dont know how much space is behine the wheel before it would hit something

There's definitely not a ton of room back there, there's maybe 3" between the bolt and the back of the horn button. I'm thinking it would involve chopping up one of these shift lights, and then glassing it flush into an existing horn button. I'd snake the wires through the column so they weren't visible. I'm just not sure I want to spend 50 on the light and 25 on the horn button, just to hack them both up. Especially if there's a chance it could look like garbage haha.

Makdaddymac · Sep 16, 2009

does that light come with pills?

90lxcoupe · Sep 16, 2009

Makdaddymac said:
does that light come with pills?

no you have to use the module with that light, or it can hook directly up to a tach setup for a shift light

92GreenGT · Sep 16, 2009

1991notchbackLX said:
Do you have any pics of your setup Dave? Thanks man!

I thought I did but I guess I don't, I'll take one this evening and post up.

shift light help

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