Had the overlay sitting in a binder with all the paperwork I got when I bought the car last June and finally bit the bullet to do the install. I don't know why I waited that long, I think other priorities on the car came first and I wasn't sure of my end goal with the car so one thing led to another. About 10 months later its safe to safe the overlay is installed and looks great (excuse the shit quality iPhone shots). Looks completely factory and clean and that was what I was looking for.
As for the install, that took some time (most of it running to the Advance Auto/AutoZone). I went and got everything I needed and took apart the dash in 10 minutes being that I have taken apart the dashes on these cars several times. I proceeded to follow the instructions and had the cluster and needle ready for calibration in another 10-15 minutes. I rented an aftermarket SunPro gauge, T fitting and some vac line, as well as the MightyVac pump from AutoZone and was ready to go.
This is when things went downhill. As I was calibrating, my factory gauge would not work. Everything was together correctly, there were no leaks as the aftermarket gauge was holding steady pressure. I proceeded to troubleshoot further with no luck. I called Ray Hilton on a saturday and he answered right away and immediately began backtracking and helping me troubleshoot the issue. He mentioned several things that could be wrong, but still had no luck. He then proceeded to say that I may have messed with the gearing behind the cluster or bent the shaft during needle removal although it is extremely rare.
After getting off the phone with him I took apart the cluster to have access to the boost gauge gearing and they were meshing perfectly. No problems there. Frustrated, I took a break and did a quick search on SVTP. After reading a few threads I found that I might have the MightyVac for suction. Turns out the MightyVac they rented me sucked and didn't blow!
I put back together the cluster and then used my air-tank very carefully to calibrate the gauge with no more issues. Just wanted to share my experience here and give a thanks to Ray Hilton for this great product he offers and his awesome customer service. Also wanted to thank the SVTP forum for ultimately solving my moronic problem.
As for the install, that took some time (most of it running to the Advance Auto/AutoZone). I went and got everything I needed and took apart the dash in 10 minutes being that I have taken apart the dashes on these cars several times. I proceeded to follow the instructions and had the cluster and needle ready for calibration in another 10-15 minutes. I rented an aftermarket SunPro gauge, T fitting and some vac line, as well as the MightyVac pump from AutoZone and was ready to go.
This is when things went downhill. As I was calibrating, my factory gauge would not work. Everything was together correctly, there were no leaks as the aftermarket gauge was holding steady pressure. I proceeded to troubleshoot further with no luck. I called Ray Hilton on a saturday and he answered right away and immediately began backtracking and helping me troubleshoot the issue. He mentioned several things that could be wrong, but still had no luck. He then proceeded to say that I may have messed with the gearing behind the cluster or bent the shaft during needle removal although it is extremely rare.
After getting off the phone with him I took apart the cluster to have access to the boost gauge gearing and they were meshing perfectly. No problems there. Frustrated, I took a break and did a quick search on SVTP. After reading a few threads I found that I might have the MightyVac for suction. Turns out the MightyVac they rented me sucked and didn't blow!
I put back together the cluster and then used my air-tank very carefully to calibrate the gauge with no more issues. Just wanted to share my experience here and give a thanks to Ray Hilton for this great product he offers and his awesome customer service. Also wanted to thank the SVTP forum for ultimately solving my moronic problem.
Got it calibrated so it is actually quite accurate.
