By Chirag Asaravala

The one thing Italian and German sports cars have always had over their American counterparts is a true racing inspired cockpit. Form hugging seats, ergonomic steering wheel and shifter, and of course those distinct competition-like gauge clusters. American sports cars, notably the Mustang, are of course designed around a different driver profile. Not only is the "typical" American driver different in physique then his European brethern, but his (and her) tastes differ as well. While we can't find a good reason why anyone would not like killer looking gauges, Ford apparantly thinks a subtle look is more appropriate for the bell curve of Mustang buyers. Fortunatly we don't have to live with what the factory gives us. Autometer recently introduced a plug-n-play instrument cluster for 1999-2003 V6 and GT Mustangs. (We think it probably will work in '04 models too, but check with Autometer to make sure.) The cluster has the look and feel of a race car dash, while retaining all of the factory electronic measuring and display capabilities.

Unlike cheaper white-face gauge conversions, which are just a paper or plastic overlay, the Autometer cluster is actually a fully assembled cluster which utilizes the factory circuit board. This means installation is a little more involved, but do-able by even the most novice of mechanics. In fact, if you can have upgraded the memory chip in your computer, this modification is along the same lines. Although the six gauges (speedometer, tachometer, water temp, oil pressure, battery voltage, and fuel level) are not actual individual mechanical or electrical gauges, the cluster appearance mimics their popular "Lunar" series instrumentation. We actually found the cluster to be more appealing in un-lit form. Watching the orange needles perform their full-sweep dance on white background makes for some very inspired driving. However come nightfall the set glows "moon blue" when the headlight switch is activated. The factory dimmer switch is not enough to subdue the sometimes annoying bright neon glow. Perhaps this is just my opinion, as I polled several enthusiasts who said the blue display ranked between 'very cool' and 'awesome.' Nevertheless the Autometer cluster is a great touch or sportiness for newer model Pony cars. We recently installed one in our Project '01 GT Mustang. The installation takes a little over an hour and the only special tools required are a set of Torx bits (see installation instructions below and on the next page.)

Installation: Autometer Lunar Instrument Cluster
Remove the headlight switch by inserting a small flat-blade screwdriver into the slot and prying the retaining clip back while pulling the knob outward.	Remove the two screws securing the trim panel to the dash. These screws are either T-15 Torx or phillips head.
Gently pull the trim panel outward until it is free from all the securing clips.	Using a T-15 Torx bit to remove the four screws which hold the gauge cluster to the dash.
Pull the instrument cluster out over the steering column.	Disconnect the two wiring harness connectors. You'l need to feel for two release tabs at the top of each connector.
The underdash area of these cars is surprisingly spacious and clutter free thanks to modern electronics.	The stock instrument cluster will be separated and the circuit board and digital odometer transferred over to the Autometer cluster.
Turn the factory cluster over and remove the six T-15 Torx screws from the rear cover.	Lift off the back panel to reveal the circuit board. Avoid touching the components on the board, hold it by its edges.