DIY Network

1993 Honda Civic: "Racing Diet" Andrew Totolos puts a '93 Civic — already partly race-ready — on a weight-reducing program, lowering curb weight by 325 pounds and shaving standing 1/8-mile track time to under 10 seconds! From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-401

(Continued from page 2)

Performance tachometer and shift light

Now that all the unnecessary interior has been removed from the Civic, it's time to move on to the dash. In this phase of the project, Andrew removes all the extra gauges and wiring and installs a simple tachometer with a shift light.

Materials and tools:

standard shop tools
tachometer with shift light
self-tapping screws
spade taps
split loom

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	Andrew releases the steering-wheel column so the dash can be removed.
	Pulling the dash
	Removing A-pillar gauges.
	Andrew continues to pile up the parts removed from the vehicle. The stripped down Honda will be a dedicated racing machine.

Remove Dash and Factory Wiring

• Taking the dash out of a Civic is relatively easy. Begin by emptying out the glove box and remove the bolts that secure it in place.

• We next pulled out the radio and the three gauges mounted in the dash pad.

• The upper gauge pod unscrews from the dash. Then release the gauge wiring.

• The gauge bezel and the center vents pull out as one piece.

• After removing the steering column trim, unbolt the steering column and remove the three bolts that secure the dash to the car.

• Once the dash is loose, remove the factory gauges, then pull back the dash and unplug the climate controls.

• Pulling out the heater fan assembly is easy because it comes out in two big chunks.

• To remove the A-pillar gauges, unscrew the pod from the pillar plastic. Disconnect the gauges and re-bolt the steering column.

• Even the wiring has weight that can slow down the car, so unplug all of the factory wiring and remove all of the aftermarket wiring.

Installing the tachometer and shift light. All other "less critical" gauges have been removed in the continuing effort to shave off pounds.

Install Tachometer with Shift Light

Now that all the unnecessary wires have been removed, it's time to install the new tachometer with a large shift light — in a location right in the driver's sight line where they positively can't be missed, even if his eyes are trained on the track.

• To begin the tachometer install, first hold it up in position and mark where the mounting plate meets the dash.

• Use self-tapping screws to pre-drill the mounting holes, and then screw the mounting bracket into place.

• Next, hold the tachometer in place and bolt the bezel to the mounting bracket. Once it's lined up, connect the shift light lead to the tachometer.
  

  The spartan and stripped down Civic interior, with new high-visibility tach and shift light installed in conspicously plain sight.

• Use a test light to find switched power at the fuse panel, and then connect the power and illumination leads together. Attach a spade tap to the end and push it into the fuse box.

• All of the wiring gets covered in split loom for protection. Then attach the coil lead to a line that provides the RPM signal from the engine with an end splice, and loom the wiring to the dash.

• To complete the install, attach the ground wire to an existing body ground.

• Now that the tachometer is ready, reattach the car's engine control unit to the firewall, where it will be safe and secure. Here it will also be accessible for laptop tuning at the track.

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