Where are all the nice gauge pods? - Honda Prelude Forum

Ktulu990 · 06-12-2009, 01:07 AM

Hey guys I can't seem to find any nice gauge pods for the prelude. I would like a center gauge hood like the ones for the STI's. Like the one seen here: Defi Triple Gauge Pod WRX/STi 2002-2007

Or the dual pod bezel like this: HPT Motorsports - Autometer Cluster Bezel Gauge Pod for WRX & STi

The only ones I can find are a-pillar pods and the center pods like this:http://www.gaugepods.com/prelude.html which is ok but nothing really special IMHO.

Let me know if you know of any other kind... Or if a place will custom make it.

Thanks
Matt

prepreludesh · 06-12-2009, 04:10 AM

I don't know if you have seen my setup or not (click the link in my sig. if you have not) but most people that have a center gauge pod go through alot of money, work and time to get one. They are all custom made, that's why no two are the same.

For a while, there was somebody making these and selling them on ebay for relatively cheap. The only problem I had with them was that they only housed 52mm gauges. The Defi Gauges I had were 60mm, however. I don't believe I've seen these for sale anymore, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

As for the topic of custom making one, alot of good examples out there are VTI BB8's "tube" concept where he had carbon fiber tubes that he carefully measured and integrated into his stock dash piece. Some guys straight up mount the mounting cups most gauges come with onto the dash piece. Mine is a WRX gauge pod molded into the stock dash piece and then covered with carbon fiber and finished with a clear coat. I can tell you from experience this took alot of time to have a guy make it (his regular service is to wrap it items in carbon fiber and clear them) and he never really had experience in fitting things to one another. The result was okay, but not commercial-grade by any means.

The best advice for doing this on your own is to come up with a plan and probably purchase an extra center piece just for back up. Make sure you have bought your gauges prior to it so you can test your rear-clearance. This is probably a largely ignored bit of advice for some because if you create the pod and put the gauges in, you'll find that the backs of the gauges don't have enough room between the internals of the dash that are behind the stock piece, and then the gauge sticks out abnormally.

Good luck.

NathanB · 06-12-2009, 05:41 AM

Here ya go.

www.gaugepods.com // Lotek Inc.

Kronn 98SH · 06-12-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanB

Here ya go.

www.gaugepods.com // Lotek Inc.

Same pod the OP already posted.

Ktulu990 · 06-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Thanks prepreludesh. You gauge pod is exactly what I'm looking for (without the carbon fiber and in 52mm size). I had it in my STI with the defi gauges and I loved it. It sucks that no one has steped up and mad anything like that for the prelude.

Nathanb: Yeah I saw them... They are ok but I guess I will have to settle on something like that.

NathanB · 06-12-2009, 03:15 PM

DOH...That's what I get for posting before having coffee I guess. I have the Lotek pod myself, matches the dash pretty well and gets the job done.

TheJGB-2KTypeSH · 06-15-2009, 01:27 AM

I got this on a group buy on NTPOG (North Texas Prelude Owners Group) I think it was like $58 shipped.

It even came in a Honda box!

prepreludesh · 06-15-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ktulu990

Thanks prepreludesh. You gauge pod is exactly what I'm looking for (without the carbon fiber and in 52mm size). I had it in my STI with the defi gauges and I loved it. It sucks that no one has steped up and mad anything like that for the prelude.

Nathanb: Yeah I saw them... They are ok but I guess I will have to settle on something like that.

Yeah, but the only real reason I got it covered in carbon fiber is because I didn't know of another material that would cover up the distinct "molding" between the OEM dash piece and the WRX pod... So you'll have to figure something out because without something covering your cut mark and molding marks, it'll probably look really shabby.

madcatz · 06-15-2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ktulu990

It sucks that no one has steped up and mad anything like that for the prelude.

prelude.....discontinued 2001...minimal following

WRX.....

prepreludesh · 06-15-2009, 02:54 AM

I wonder if we will witness a resurgence in aftermarket prelude parts coming to the market though... the car is now affordable for more entry-level buyers who are the perfect candidates to modifying their cars. I think the amount of H22 parts available is increasing... and as an example companies like MFactory weren't making upgrades to our transmissions before and there weren't companies making knock-offs of Hytech's headers at an affordable cost either (I'm talking, like, compared to 2005). Every piece to the H22 at least has 2 companies that still produce something for it, from intake manifolds to valvetrain components to block components. Who knows though?

madcatz · 06-15-2009, 05:16 AM

maybe....but limited production....and weight....for the cost to make a lude run vs a civic though....and civic shells are a dime a dozen.....who knows....you are right though about the increase in parts production