|
|
Installing a shift light in your Integra
will help determine the optimum shift time. This can often
be useful under racing conditions when it is necessary
to make sure you are changing gears at the optimal RPM
level. The installed shift light can be mounted just about
anywhere you would like but is normally mounted in an
area where it is easily seen without taking your eyes
off the road in front of you. |
| Required
Tools and Materials: |
| 1) (1) fork cable
terminals
2) (1) .250" female slide on connector
3) Wire tap / Quick Splice
4) Various size screwdrivers
5) Razor |
|
|
Acura
Integra Shift Light Install |
| A shift light can be a valuable item for
almost any driver. Whether you want to have pinpoint shifting
while concentrating on a curve while AutoCrossing, or
you just want to remind yourself to shift at 5,000 to
save gas, there are many reasons to have a shift light.
What is a shift light?
A shiftlight is a very simple device. All it does is
monitor your engine RPM, and light up at a predetermined
point. That way you can concentrate on driving, instead
of staring at the tach. Many people believe you don't
need a shiftlight because you can listen to the engine
and shift based on the sound. While this does work to
some extent, how many people do you know that can tell
the difference between 6,800 rpm at 7,000rpm?
Where to get one?
Many different companies sell different brands of shift
lights. Often times they are generic shift lights that
will work with almost any engine. Most import performance
shops sell different varieties of shapes, sizes, and
applications. Which shiftlight you choose should be
based on where you want to mount it, and what type of
car you have. |
|
| The first step in the installation is finding
a place to mount it. This is an important first
step, because you have to run your wires accordingly.
A few ideas for mounting areas:
On the dash, above the gauge bezel.
On the steeringwheel column
In the tray below the stereo
|
 |
Most shift lights are supposed to be mounted via screws.
Since I didn't want to particularly drill holes in my
dash, I screwed it on to an easily replaceable part.
The panel that covers the interior fuse box. Since the
light I installed is so large and bright, I have no
problem seeing it when it goes off. You can also attach
it with Velcro, for a non-perminant method.
|
 |
Once you have found where you are going to mount
it, its time to start running the wires. Black
duck tape works well for hiding wires under the
dash. First we will wire the power cable, which
is red. We want a power source that comes on and
off with the car. A good spot for this is the
"ACC" fuse socket in the interior fuse
box. Since it isn't used, you don't have to worry
about it cutting out a function of the car. |
|
 |
To attach the cable, use the .250"
female slide connector on the end of the power wire,
as shown here. After you have attached the fork
terminal, it should plug into the slot above the
ACC fuse socket. Then simply put a 15volt fuse in
the ACC socket. The next step is the ground cable.
The ground cable needs to attach to some bare metal
of the chassis. Luckily there are several bolts
underneath the drivers seat perfect for this. |
|
| Attach a fork terminal to the end of the
ground wire (black wire). This will make it easier to
mount and secure. I used a bolt located behind the clutch.
Just loosen the bolt enough where you can slide the fork
terminal underneath then tighten. At this point the light
should have power when the ignition is turned. Some lights
will flash briefly when they initially receive power.
Try turning the ignition to give power to the accessories
and see if it flashes. If it doesn't, don't worry it doesn't
mean their is a problem.
Finally its time to wire the RPM signal wire. There
are two good places to attach the wire too. Behind the
gauge clusters themselves, and in the engine bay by
the master cylinder reservoir Which you choose is a
personal preference. The advantage to the engine bay
wire, is it is terminated by an empty plug, so you won't
have to tap into the wire like the gauge cluster. |
| GAUGE CLUSTER WIRE
If you want to tap into the gauge cluster wire, you
will first need to get access. |
|
| Under the outerplastic of the gauge cluster,
there are two screws. Remove them, and then pull the plastic
up and out. It might be difficult at first, but it will
come out. From there you have three screws to remove,
pictured below. |
|
| Once you have the screws removed, you can
pull the gauge cluster itself out. Rotate it slightly
so you can see the wire harnesses in back |
| Look specifically at the one that plugs into the
RPM gauge area. On that plug there is a blue wire
with silver dots on it. That is the RPM signal.
That is the wire you are going to tap into with
a wire tap. The wire tap is pretty straight forward,
put the shift light wire in the shorter of the two
tunnels, and the blue RPM wire in the longer of
the tunnel. Then close the wire tap, and tighten
it shut with a pair of pliers. Reinstall the gauge
cluster and its housing and you are done. |
 |
|
| ENGINE BAY WIRE |
|
| In order to reach the engine bay, you are
going to have to cut a small slit in the rubber grommet
under the dash, and feed the wire through. The easiest
way to do this, is cut a small slit from the engine bay.
Then straighten out a clothes hanger and feed it through.
Then attach the shift light wire on the inside with tape.
Pull the hanger out and the wire with come with it. Luckily
the wire will come out right next to the RPM signal wire
we are going to use. Once you have cut a slit, and run
the wire through, identify the rpm signal wire. It is
blue terminated wire, and it will be taped to the harness.
Connect the two wires, and you are done. |
|
|
