Sputnik

Here is the image of the GENUINE
Carbone Dashboard panel (sometimes reffered as "Gauge back panel")



As you can see the genuine panel covers not just the flat area around the gauges itself...but goes below them creating some curvature in its surface...as a result the genuine carbon panel covers whole area around the gauges.
It is the main difference between the factory one and "aftermarket" (aftermarket carbon gauge panel cover is completely flat and doesn't cover the area below the gauges level).
I tried to find the online store which would sell the genuine carbon panel itself (without the extra 4 pieces which are applied to other areas of the dashboard...such as the area around the ignition lock, AC *****, airbag and so on).
If you know where I could but this genuine carbon fiber gauge panel cover please let me know.
The Imagineauto looks like selling them....but no..they are "aftermarket" which are flat.
<a href="http://www.imagineauto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IA&Product_Code=CGP964&Category_Code= 9933" target="_blank">http://www.imagineauto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IA&Product_Code=CGP964&Category_Code= 9933</a>

FVD-USA sells the genuine one...but as part of whole kit....same as GERT!

<a href="http://www.fvd-usa.com/catalog/interieur_dash_cover/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.fvd-usa.com/catalog/interieur_dash_cover/index.html</a>

Thanks!

DJF1

Get the carbon fiber dash kit ( 5 pieces) from Gert. It looks fantastic. The instrument cover alone looks a bit out of place. Trust me I've been there...

Tim Ashfield

This is an upgrade I have been toying with. Are the carbon parts easy to fit? I believe they are fitted with adhesive any recommendations as to the best stuff to use. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

DJF1

Tim are you refering to the stick on stuff or the genuine kit?

tonyarcur

HI Sputnik: Call or email Theo Papodopoulus at FVD. I just bought the carbon OEM gauge surround from him. Make sure you talk to Theo. Good guy to work with.
Tony

Tim Ashfield

Danny. No I meant the genuine kit is this fitted to the existing panels with adhesive? Any insight appreciated I know you have done an awful lot of work to the interior of your car.

John D II

Tim,

Here is a link to an older thread where I described how I accomplished the install on my 993TT: <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002604&p=" target="_blank">Carbon Fiber dash install thread</a>

Overall, it's a pretty easy task.

DJF1

[quote]Originally posted by Tim Ashfield:
<strong>Danny. No I meant the genuine kit is this fitted to the existing panels with adhesive? Any insight appreciated I know you have done an awful lot of work to the interior of your car. </strong><hr></blockquote>

John is the teacher on this as you can see on his install procedure. My mechanic and I went the difficult way and actually replaced all the vinil with the Carbon Kit pieces. Like John described they are glued to the factory to the same pieces like on your interior.
If you decide to replace them its pretty straight forward procedure as well with the exeption of the airbag cover which is a royal PITA to remove and install again... You would have to loosen up the top and bottom dash to free up the pieces. Also the same procedure as described by John goes for the instruments on the dash. The airbag module is two pieces interlocking and you have to pull down, to the left and out the bottom part to unlock it. Trying to lock it back it gave us a very hard time. I was kind of scared to remove these two panels in fear the airbag will explode so make sure the battery is disconnected in advance and at least 30 minutes prior to doing this... You will be surprised some of the pieces are actually glued by the factory so say good bye to a couple if you think of saving them... I tried but I had to resort to a flat screw driver to remove the remains of the foam like back side of the vinil pieces. We glued the new pieces much like the factory had done so I did not use the masking tape trick.
Finally my kit had the side CF panels which I guess they were for 96 and on and initially they would not fit very well. We ended up driling a small screw in the front and back which you really have to look hard to see to secure the panels and they look great.
Overall I'm really pleased with the result although I'm not exactly done yet!

Good luck!

Tim Ashfield

John/Danny

Thanks for the information this upgrade is definitely on my list and your help is much appreciated. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />