Interior Dash Question

#1

Read through the rules summary again. Would like to use the center console of the dash (where radio, heater controls, that computer thing with buttons, etc) to install guages and toggles for accessories. It says that the radio/nav etc can be removed. Has someone done this and has a pic? Is the radio the only part that can come out?

#2

That dopey computer thing does come out. There are some fasteners on the backside of it that you probably can’t see. Mine is still in the car, but another E30 guru advised me that it can be removed that way.

#3

If it is just clock with temp readout it can be removed from the front (few clips); if it is "trip computer" (one where you have buttons such as 10, 100, etc) you have to remove it from the backside (I can’t remember if it is fastners or nuts).
Whichever it is, don’t yank-it-out too hard as it has elect. connection on the back (which can be removed).

HTH,
Igor

#4

Either OBC variant must be removed from the back of the trim panel (four screws). The trim panel itself is held in by two screws at the bottom and two screws at the top (hidden by the switches that have to be removed). Additionally the knobs of the climate control stuff have to be pulled off, the nut on the blower rheostat removed, the slider trim popped out, and the four screws behind that removed. Simple once you know how.

#5

Thanks for the advice. Just wondering how liberal the interpretation is on what components can be removed from that section. I would like to remove all of them and make a custom guage panel and section for toggle switches like my 944. Is this acceptable or are some of the components required to stay in (like the temp controls, fan swich, etc).

#6

Temp controls must stay, but radio and clock/OBC can be removed.

#7

traqrat wrote:

Thanks!

#8

jlevie wrote:

Nope. As I said in the post above clock can be removed from the front. Here are pics from 86 eta.

  1. Remove cover
    [img=http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2999/1003154vi9.th.jpg]

2."unhook" clips (top, bottom)
[img=http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6631/1003156kw4.th.jpg]

  1. Remove clock (elect. conn is on the back and shold be uncliped):
    [img=http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5006/1003157tc4.th.jpg]

In general OBC / trip comp has to be removed from the back - I have pics but can’t find the now.

HTH,
Igor

#9

I am now removing the interior. Where does it say I can remove the OBC? And how about the check control system? I don’t want to remove something I can’t

Michael

#10

9.3.13.22. The interior, including carpeting, seats, headliner (to include the leading plastic
panel), console, radio/cd/cassette/navigation systems, OEM seat belts, speakers,
glove box door, panels under the dash, grab handles, driver and passenger door
(front and rear) window glass and mechanisms, heating and cooling system interior
ducts, and sun visors, may be removed.

The OBC falls under the category of navigation.

#11

also wondering why folks think the OBC can be removed… saying it is part of navigation is a stretch, so a clarification would be good since this would have zero impact on performance.
cheers,
bruce

ilateapex wrote:

[quote]I am now removing the interior. Where does it say I can remove the OBC? And how about the check control system? I don’t want to remove something I can’t

Michael[/quote]

#12

We consider the OBC to be the navigation system. Remove it if you want but I’ve just left it all alone. I have other things to worry about/work on and I don’t want to cut the wrong wire. It all works well in my car so I’m leaving it alone.

Keeping it simple has worked for me.

Carter