Pre-OBD LCD cluster conversion?

I've started to research a possible LCD instrument cluster to display most of our gauges for our chumpcar. I've found plenty of write-ups on how to turn a raspberry pi or arduino or carpc with obdII into something with a cheap 7inch LCD screen. The problem I'm running into is our car doesn't have OBDII. Still on the hunt for a decent write-up; but, just curious if anyone else has had any experience doing such a thing in a street or track car and if they can pass along some knowledge. It's a 94 Honda Accord that it would be going in. Thanks.

There are pre-OBD HUD systems available off the shelf.

Anyway it's not rocket science, these clusters take a PWM square wave or ignition coil ground spike signal for the tach, usually a PWM square wave signal for the speedometer, and temp & fuel gauges run on a 0-5v signal. Warning lights usually run on a ground connection - they have power and when a wire going to them connects to ground, they light up.

So you need to get all those signals into whatever you're using as a dash - a raspi or arduino would be best in this situation (but if you use just an Arduino and an LCD for your digital cluster, don't expect nice graphics). The hardest parts would be getting a tach input if your stock cluster used a spiked signal, and getting a speedo input if your stock system used a speedo cable.

just get some cheap gauges- or keep the stock cluster- and put your effort and money into something that will make the car better/faster/safer/more reliable..

Tach is easy, either use a Shift-I or build a sequential LED tach. Plans for the latter are readily available. I prefer these over a tach, especially with color-coded LEDs. You can place them more in the line of sight and you can use your peripheral vision.

Some of the UTV gauge panels would probably also suit. http://www.trailtech.net/digital-gauges/vapor

For the speedo I was going to try and incorporate that input from a GPS unit since the VSS is broken and too much to replace. We had a nice traqmate which provided most of the critical inputs; but, that team member decided to part ways and build his own vehicle so we are left with just a tach

I think those UTV units sometimes use GPS for speed. Or just get some obsolete cell phone, download a free speedometer app and duct tape it somewhere.

Keith Tanner wrote: I think those UTV units sometimes use GPS for speed. Or just get some obsolete cell phone, download a free speedometer app and duct tape it somewhere.

I've got a few galaxies laying around i may try to do that with and we already have usb power hookups in the car. I really want to program my own display, I'm just looking for something that can convert the data inputs into outputs.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

LOL!!
That reminds me of some of the ideas we used to install Halda Twinmasters back in the day.

Those UTV units might work, if you can find the specifications for the input signal types it expects before buying one.

For racecar, all you need is a progressive shift light and idiot lights for coolant and oil pressure. Who cares what the speedo says? Fuel gauge works right? It's digital: Light is off or on. And it's probably idiot proof, although you know your team drivers better than I do.

Fuel gauge doesn't work. The whole cluster was FUBAR when I took ownership of the car. It has to be in the car for the lights to work, and alternator to charge, etc. Stupid mid-90s tech (like an optispark). These "UTV units" you speak of, please tell me more?

I do know how long we can run without fueling though. I'm really just looking to clean up our whole dash/wiring layout. Car has been next to bulletproof through two races as long as E30s don't run into us. And since it's the offseason, repairs/replacements are minimal, I figured it'd be a good time to gussy up the car a bit.

As you can see it's a charlie foxtrot right now and the stock unit is useless. We have a large tach mounted on the steering column behind Mr. Eversly.

And I really need something pretty to match our unicorn.

UTV example: http://www.trailtech.net/digital-gauges/vapor

the utv units are nice there are also motorcycle ones with big tachs and stuff that are simple to install. just need to find one with a lower rpm read out. http://kosonorthamerica.com/tag/meters-multifunctions/

Ah nice, thanks for the info! That might be a last resort if I can't get this Pi/Arduino combo set up how I like. Those can always be tasked to do other things like an LED board brake light than can display funny images to the people behind you.