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It is hard to argue that adding aftermarket gauges to your classic ride improves the look of your car.
Swapping a late-model engine into a classic musclecar or street rod has become common place. But, with that swap comes computer controls for ignitions, fuel systems, and even gauges. When it comes to custom gauges and instruments, Dakota Digital is a major player the industry. Their instrument systems offer so much more than just readouts of speed, temperature, and voltage, making them a shoe-in for a performance-oriented build. But, connecting those gauges to your new computer-controlled engine can be a daunting task – until now.
The BIM (Bus Interface Module) system (left) and compatible VHX module (right).
With the BIM-01-2, the connection is actually an easy one. We talked to Greg Karpe at Dakota Digital, and asked him to tell us a little more about this time saving development. “With an LS conversion as our example, the BIM-01-2 will streamline the installation of our VFD3 or VHX instrument systems,” he explains. “The BIM-01-2 plugs into your DLC (OBD-II) connection, where you’d connect a scan tool to read trouble codes. Once connected, the BIM-01-2 requests data from the ECM, and converts the information for use by the instruments.”
When using the BIM-01-2 module, you no longer need to install secondary sensors for readings like oil pressure, water temperature, etc.
Greg continues to explain that, “In most applications, the interface is able to glean data for speed, engine RPM, oil pressure, coolant temperature, intake air temp, and in automatic applications, gear position and transmission temperature.” In other words, it not only makes gauge connections easier than the standard custom gauge install, it also brings additional readings to the table that would require the costly and difficult installation of additional sensors using different systems. Greg told us, “All of this data is transferred directly to the Dakota Digital system control box, via a single, supplied data cable. The BIM-01-2 saves the hassle of adding a second, dedicated set of sensors to the engine, not to mention, eliminates the hassle of finding and connecting speedometer and tachometer outputs from the harness.”
Two compatible dash sets. A rear angle on one, and front angle on the other.
While the biggest benefits of the new BIM-01-2 system are the ease of installation and simplified wiring, according to Greg, “The additional information available cannot be overlooked. To get all of the information in your instrument system that the BIM-01-2 typically provides, you’d spend over $300 in additional modules and sending units, not to mention the additional time and complexity they would add to the project.”
No more dealing with the myriad of wires that are involved with connecting certain gauges to your LS-swapped classic or street rod.
We have to mention that the interface unit does need to stay connected to the OBD-II port, in order to function, and is unfortunately, not 100-percent universal. There are some applications that are not yet supported, so if you are considering using this system, get in touch with the team at Dakota Digital, and they can let you know what will and will not work. They have access to an extensive list of what is typically available from different makes and models, and compatibility lends itself to almost any 1996 to present GM OBD-II application, Ford 1996 to present OBD-II, some Chrysler 2000 to present OBD-II, as well as CAN OBD-II protocol.
