Howdy all! My Dart build is nearing completion and I need to iron some of the small details of the Dart. After the transmission goes in this week, it will be off to the home stretch. So, here' my dilemma.

Since I've added a manual transmission to the Dart, I'd really like to add a tachometer. My only problem is what to get and where to put it? I really don't want to cover up any of the stock gauges as I'll be using them and I don't want anything below the dash where it could bump into my knees. Some of the locations I've thought about are on the center console facing the driver with a remote shift light somewhere in or above the dash... Or place a small tach on the dash pad in the corner by the VIN tag. The only other option I can think of is a hood mounted tach, but I don't think I want to drill any holes into this hood as it's pretty straight and nice. Any opinions and ideas would greatly be appreciated.

My other question is what color seat belts should I get? They'll probably be from Simpson Race Products and they'll be a 5-point. I was thinking along the lines of black as the entire interior is black and silver, but the guy at the shop thinks red would look cool. The only thing that is red on the car are the calipers, but I can see how red could break up the interior a bit. The belts also come in blue. What do you guys think?

What color belts? single choice
	Black
	Red
	Blue
Votes accepted starting: 08/08/16 08:26 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Go with red belts for sure, you have enough black already. I would put the tach where that crank in the middle of the dash is as long as it's not one of those huge ones. I have mounted a tach on the pillar above the VIN number, there is a screw about 6 inch up that you can use to mount it, that would be the most visible location.

Tach inside for sure...

I'd sit in the car, and have the tach there to move around different positions to see where is best for visibility of it, and around/past it as well.

When I switched over to running hill climb I used a shift light. Same came in handy when running a road course.

For safety, I was always taught a contrasting seat belt color then your driving suit, and black is best for sun UV belt protection. Red is my personal last choice.

The lower screw in the A piller is a great place to mount a tach. I have even mounted monster tachs there with external shift lights . Easy to see and doesn't block your road view or starting tree. It also allows you to hide the wiring down the side of the dash under the trim.

I think I'm liking the tachometer on the A-pillar. Do you guys have a specific tachometer or brand you recommend?

I like my eyes on the track. A tach there is distracting

5 inch monster tach in my 65.On the dash with shift light.I had it under the pad till the pad got crappy looking.As for belts Id say red against the black.We run RJS 5 point belts with the round release.As goos as Simpsons IMO but less $$$$.Rocky

This is where my son mounted his tach in his 72 Dart. He can still see all his stock gauges ok. Myself I would go with black seatbelts in your car. Ron

http://www.jegs.com/i/Auto+Meter/105/438...CFUYdgQodgboPAA

My Choice....

There is no way I would use a digiatl tach in race car or a halfway serious stick shift street car The constantly changing numbers, even at idle, won't be easy to see when it comes to shift when the car is being driven hard
I had Cyberdyne digital oil, temps and voltage gauges in my old nine second street Duster, never again Analog needles are way easier to glance at and get the information you need in a hurry

Looking at the pictures of my dash, there might be some room for a very tiny one on the right side of the column, right next to what I believe is the wiper knob. Thinking about it again, above the dash would probably be a little distracting in an autocross or road race condition. I guess if I get a small tachometer and play around with the position I can see which I like best. My rev limiter will probably be set to about 6500 or so.

Maybe a shift light on the dash or the steering column (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g2945/overview/) and a small gauge in that small area (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2698/overview/ or https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2892/overview/)?

I am removing the automatic and tach from my Barracuda. No real need for the tach IMO..

So you can avoid hitting the rev limiter?

Yep, watching a tach is distracting. Use a good shift light mounted close to your line of sight to shift. A tach is for setting idle speed and checking the shift light. Mount it out of the way.

The shift light on my tach is so bright even in the day with the cover on I can see it.At night you never have to even look close to it.It lights up the inside.Its an Autometer 5 inch with light.Rocky

I have never heard until this instant of a gearhead who wanted to remove a tach from a car. I guess there's one in every crowd!
I vote for red belts or possibly blue for a slightly more sophisticated look. I really like all-black interiors but you need a little contrast.

As for tachs, I'm with Cab. Industrial design says needles are much more readable in active situations. Another thing learned from that source is to clock your gauges so the desired value has the needle pointing straight up.

R.

I've got an autometer monster tach stashed away in the garage somewhere I think still...if you wanted to try holding it up in the car for an idea how it would be if you wanted Samy..

How big is the tach? I won't be in town for another week and a half, but I can drop off the starter if I come to pick it up.