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Custom Centre Brace / Gauge Holder


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#1 -Dab-of-Oppo-

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 04:42 PM

I have just knocked up a quick design template for a center console gauge holder to get a rough idea of what it would look like.

The front piece and bits with the trangle cut outs will be made from brushed aluminum much like the ones available from elise-shop.com The only reasons I did not go for one of these is that they are mounted lower down and would not have the length required to span my prefered gap as I have mine. I was also not keen on the way that it would be see through and seem to sort of 'float' in the middle with nothing behind / beside it.

The red triangles should tie in with the weight saving cut outs of the footrest as to should the red leather I will place behind them. The rest of the sides would be covered in the same black carpet as the rest of the car. I would also have to re-locate the cabin light and I would have a new one either side mounted flush into the panel, thats what the drawn on green bit is.

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Plenty of room to route the cables behind and hide everything away inbetween -

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The drivers side piece would not be able to go all the way back due to comfort & safety. I can easilly get my foot down there just as before with it finishing as in the picture. It will also enable me to stll have access to the bonnet release cable.

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I am not sure if I want to extend the passenger side all the way to the front of the car or not. I kinda like the idea of having each footwell fully partitioned off.

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So what are your thoughts, obviously everything will look alot better in the correct materials and colours but it should give you a pretty good idea of my plans.

Has anyone got any other examples of a custom job or have photos of their own?

#2 chrisvx220

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 04:53 PM

Like it, especialy the abs cut off thumbsup

#3 -Dab-of-Oppo-

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 05:15 PM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. It will hopefully be a chrome key operated switch with a sticker around it that I am going to design and print off with the ABS logo etc on. I just hope that extending and breaking the wires from the NSF sensor all the way to the cabin will not have any adverse effects...

#4 Art

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 05:35 PM

I quite like it. Does extending it all the into the footwell as shown not block the bonnet release handle from operating as you'll need to pull it into the brace to open the bonnet?

#5 techieboy

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 05:37 PM

Be careful, you may find yourself too cooped up in there with that fitted. It'll be a bit like climbing in and out of a single seater. When I got the car, it had the Vauxhall centre brace fitted and I found it to be a total pain in the arse, in day to day use. It was always in the way of my clutch leg when I was resting it and was a real pain if I ever needed to lean across to open the passenger window at French Toll booths or to talk to someone. I tried to live with it for a month or two and then it had to go. Stupidly, a few years later, having forgotten what a pain it had been, I fitted one of the Elise Parts central gauge pods and it all came flooding back. Despite being set further towards the front of the car I was forever kicking it and knocking it off it's mounting points. So that also ended up in the parts pile in the room of doom. I ended up using the gauge pod that clips into the courtesy light cutout, which at least left the footwell clear and the gauges readily visible (although that's soon to be consigned to the spares bin as well).

#6 -Dab-of-Oppo-

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 05:54 PM

Thanks for that, it was something I was a bit wary of. I will certainly drive about with the template fitted for a while before I go ahead with it. It seemed OK though getting in didn't really affect me and I think my knee is usually about in line with the gear knob. I tend to rest the calf of my clutch leg against the center console.

Mine butts up to the dash at a lower point than the OEM brace and about the same place on the gear box end. I think it gives a really good viewing angle to glance down at thhe gauges. It might even be usefull for bracing yourself against when cornering hard.


I quite like it. Does extending it all the into the footwell as shown not block the bonnet release handle from operating as you'll need to pull it into the brace to open the bonnet?


Possibly, mine is fooked though it just dangles :lol: It actually still works really well by now having to pull to the right! :blink:

#7 FLD

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 06:50 PM

I can give you an alternatively mounted bonnet release :D Seriously, I quite like it. My only concern would be looking down at a guage there. Obviously a guage is in the car for a reason so should be in easy view. How about those pillar mounted pod? Perhaps a little too 'chavtastic' but in easy view. I LOVE the abs switch bit.

#8 Zoobeef

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 07:08 PM

This was mine. Had a couple of switches under the gauges. Not in the line of sight but what you can do is put a couple of warning lights in the line of sight to tell you to look at the gauges. Bracket was self made

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Edit to add: It was finished in brushed aluminium after this picture so it matched the rest of the car

Edited by zoobeef, 25 March 2011 - 07:09 PM.


#9 techieboy

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Posted 25 March 2011 - 07:42 PM

I will certainly drive about with the template fitted for a while before I go ahead with it.

Good call. Before having either option, I'd have sworn my lower leg never went anywhere near the centre line of the car (except the clutch footrest kind of thing).

#10 Paulus H

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Posted 26 March 2011 - 10:24 PM

Had to dump this. It really got in the way.

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Paul

#11 Graeme Lambert

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 11:54 AM


I will certainly drive about with the template fitted for a while before I go ahead with it.

Good call. Before having either option, I'd have sworn my lower leg never went anywhere near the centre line of the car (except the clutch footrest kind of thing).


When i drove VXl's LY edition with the centre brace i found my leg was always banging off it. Thought i looked good, but even after 20 miles I knew that whatever VX i bought, it either wouldn't have one, or it would be up for sale as soon as i got the car home.

G

#12 Zoobeef

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 12:44 PM

I didnt once knock mine. I am a skinny runt though

#13 Andrew aka Stuwy

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 01:07 PM

looks the nuts... but hover your carpets :gayfight:

#14 GiGo

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 01:33 PM

Had to dump this. It really got in the way.



Paul


Looks nice Paul, any chance you still have it, wouldn't mind it :)

#15 Paulus H

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 08:25 PM

You are welcome to the original. I think it is in my parents garage. I can have a look for it on Mother's Day if you want it.

Mk2 version works better for me. Sorry photo is strangely obscured by image of quickshift. I know that's weird!!

Also I am using a shorter nylon gear knob (that's what quickshift is sitting on).

Weirder and weirder....

Paul

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Edited by Paulus H, 28 March 2011 - 08:26 PM.


#16 GiGo

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Posted 28 March 2011 - 09:27 PM

You are welcome to the original. I think it is in my parents garage. I can have a look for it on Mother's Day if you want it.


Cheers Paul, I'll make sure I get you a drink at the next meet :chinkychinky:




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