The BEST Gauges for any Subaru WRX STI; DEFI BF Series

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

You're missing a gauge. It's the one that measures how much I love you 😭

[@Smeedia]

That’s in my heart ❤

[@joshw8211]

😂

[@joshg1951]

Need to find a gauge that has his subscriber count

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@Smeedia 😂😂😂👁️👄👁️♥️

[@boosTiMon]

This is one of the best hood scoop’s talking to you upgrade. Timeless and priceless. Look at it from any angle after not having this upgrade to having it. Money!

[@Smeedia]

Right?! They’re a bit spendy but so worth it 🎉

[@kylekennedy21]

Seeing you pull the dash apart this far is giving me ptsd when I was installing my dash in my 05 wrx. I want the defi gauges myself now!

[@Smeedia]

The Defi gauges are wooooorth it 🔥 we did not test into it too much 😅

[@SoggyRaspberry]

im in surgery and man your videos are helping me get by so much easier. Thank you so much for the high quality uploads.

[@Smeedia]

Hopefully you have a speedy recovery my man ❤

[@strongislandautoenthusiast841]

God Bless.

[@HallFleming]

To remove the original clock cluster without breaking it, press the two front tabs back towards the front of the car. They are behind the vents that you removed at the front of the bezel. Be gentle and that will pop the front loose then take Both hands and push the left and right tabs on the side from underneath straight up and the rest of it will come out without breaking. I will warn ya though, sometimes they break going back in because you have to press down that brittle sun baked plastic! 😬

[@Smeedia]

They’re so fragile 😂😅 I think I’ve only ever got one out without demolishing it 💀

[@slo_06wrx]

Defi gauges have a shutoff sequence when you shut your ignition off. Hence the reason for two power wires

[@Smeedia]

Ahhhhh that makes sense then 😅

[@josephmatuszak3855]

For getting grommets back into place real easy, I use dish soap. Makes em just kinda wiggle and snap in nicely w/o trying to massage the skin off your fingers.

[@Smeedia]

That’s a pretty smart idea, I’ve tried grease and they just push all the way through sometimes 😂

[@josephmatuszak3855]

@@Smeedia yeah, grease is bad on grommets for two reasons: 1 - rubber swells with most greases 2 - messy.

[@CrMo4130]

Seeing you not hook up the illumination wire and combining constant and switched power really grinds my gears. Now you’re missing out on the shutdown sequence, and anything you program into the gauges will be lost on power off. And they’ll be bright as f*** at night without the illumination wire. Still love ya and your videos though!

[@Smeedia]

Tbh I did not even know they had a shit down sequence 😅 I figured it was only for dimming 😅

[@t1bmxfbm]

bmx dude, was there the props intro music in this vid.. i swear i heard it at 8:57

[@Dhane-0]

I completely agree on this being the best looking gauge setup

[@Smeedia]

They fit the GDs so well 🤌🤌

[@strongislandautoenthusiast841]

Hey Tanner, you gonna keep this GDB Chassis? I'm asking because every time you record a driving scene with this GDB chassis your so hyper excited. BTW, that Cosworth IM looks sick!! (I normally listen to your channel while working so I don't always get to watch the visual).

[@Umar-gw6fy]

17:00 that sound 🔥🔥🔥

[@Smljhndnsmr]

The biggest game-changer is…just having an 06-07 of any trim! I’ve had buyer’s remorse ever since trading in my 2006 for a brand new 2021.

[@Smeedia]

I 100% feel that! I missed having an older Chassis after getting rid of my old ones 😩

[@theburritodaddy9384]

Man that much better huh? I love my 2021 but I’ve never had the chance to drive an older body yet… my old man had a 04 and said the 21 is a lot like his so I was happy enough 😂

[@Smljhndnsmr]

@@theburritodaddy9384 In my experience, the 2021 has been an absolute rattle-box, lacks intuitive bite points for 1st and 2nd gear, and has noticeably weaker low-end torque compared to the 2006 that I owned for 10+ years. Every time I jumped into that thing, I was excited and knew the driving experience was going to be just as awesome as all the previous times. Every time I jump into my 2021, I think to myself, “which door card, dash piece, engine component, or chassis component is going to make a weird noise today?” Although I’ve heavily modified both of them over the years, the 2006 generally felt like Subaru gave more of a shit during the manufacturing process.

[@8145dwerdna]

I think the white illumination wire is to dim it for night. I know my defi red racer white needle were like that.

[@Smeedia]

That’s what I meant to say but that is what it does 😅

[@Jdm2005sti]

Love the gauges and a defi gauge member myself. The best way to remove the clock pod is to push the front two clips where the vent is before taking it out.

[@Smeedia]

I’ll try that next time instead of trying to pop it up 😅

[@green_bugeye]

Grap trough the hole where you took outbthe hazard lights.. relieve tension of the clip and take the clock out without braking it

[@UncleSpool]

I don't even have my Subaru anymore, but I still have a mint set of the STi Genome Gauges and hood sitting on my desk, lol.

[@Smeedia]

The Genmones are dreams but they’re all so spendy and best now 😩

[@UncleSpool]

@@Smeedia you can buy mine for cheap if you want? You wouldn't even need to change any wiring. Only downside is they're green.

[@daveb920]

To get the stock clock out, I use to trim pieces one in the front right corner, and then I start and work around the back left

[@Smeedia]

I’ll give this a try, normally the tabs end up snapping on me 😅

[@pw85___]

I had the white face DEFi gauges in my old GD. Boost/Oil temp/pressure. Definitely changed the game for my interior.

[@Smeedia]

They have a nice presence in the interior, definitely a step above the stock clock pod

[@DGMWRX87]

Awesome! I’ve been waiting for this since you mentioned it awhile back. To me this setup is nostalgic at this point 🙌🏼 I always regretted going with Prosport gauges over these

[@Smeedia]

Exactly! The Gnome gauges are top top tier but so hard to find in decent shape with sensors that are not $1,000,00

[@michaelmanago282]

love the new insta 360 footages nice POV.

[@Smeedia]

More interactive now Imo, no more tripod only 😅

[@R1Armadill0]

@@Smeedia Maybe some side by side shots would be nice depending on what you were working on.

[@omialmanza1900]

Oooiiyyy! Just as im ordering car parts! Smeedia drops a banger!

[@Smeedia]

Eyyyy perfect timing 😂😅

[@yowicky9465]

dude tanner thank you for not gatekeeping these gauges your a actuallyy the fing best we love you😭

[@Smeedia]

I don’t gate keep 😩😭😅

[@josephmatuszak3855]

Oil temp is extremely important honestly. I've seen more engines go kaput because the oil got too thin and hot to lube anymore... and didn't know til it was way too late.

[@Smeedia]

Between temp and pressure you can prevent some future failures

[@albegt98]

you said it right, already 20 years ago I put the DEFI in my GC8 👍, absolutely the best choice aesthetically, nice work man 👍💪

[@Smeedia]

They last FOREVER too, I want the Gnome gauges one day. But they’re hard to come by in good shape with sensors 😅

[@iCancelFlights]

surprised you dont have an old hanger around to use to route wiring/msc through grommets.

[@Smeedia]

Normally I’ll use a piece of welding wire to try and shove things through, all we have are the plastic hangers lol

[@PlumberWRX]

Tanner my man these man the car look so much cooler and the added information is priceless

[@gdizzle8265]

I watched through all these videos and noticed you never explained how you routed the vacuum block manifold. Would you be able to give us a detailed walkthrough of how you routed your vacuum lines?

[@Smeedia]

I definitely can 🫡 I just mounted it where it’s at, then ran a single hose from the intake manifold to the vacuum block for its reference. From there you can just tie everything into it

[@gdizzle8265]

Thanks Tanner I appreciate it! Btw love the content keep up the good work!

[@0uick]

With the clock, you slightly pop open each side of the clamps and slowly lift from each corner and it doesn’t break, that’s how I’ve always done it.

[@Cmfrs503]

Super clean install, nice work, looks so much better

[@Smeedia]

Thank you! Super happy with the outcome come 🥳

[@joshanderson1122]

This gen looks so good with the right set of gauges. Defi are great and I love that they're analog. Revel are another good brand I recently added all the same gauges from them

[@Smeedia]

Never heard of Revel before, going to have to check em out 👀🔥

[@joshanderson1122]

@@Smeedia I believe their parent is Tanabe they make both led and analog that can be daisy chained. Sold quality cheaper than Defi but not junk

[@markjohnson3737]

Waiting impatiently for the roof scoop video. I need one for my bugeye!

[@bensiok]

looks soo good with the extra 3 gauge pod

[@joshuawilliams639]

Things I didn’t know I needed

[@Smeedia]

Definitely worth it 🔥

[@GudEnuffGarage]

So clean! I want to get these exact gauges for my 06 STi. I love the look of them and how they match the cluster. I've been thinking about doing them in the A-pillar.

[@tobiasfrancisco5879]

Dude I've wanted that gauge pod for so long. Just gotta save the dough to pay for em now that I see how to install errrrvry thang. 🤙🏼 Thanks Tanner!

[@adampancher9237]

Rallysport is pretty nice. Just ordered all my clutch stuff and some other things. Got my stuff in two days and it’s always nice to save some money with smeedia’s discount code. I’ve said it many times but as always thank you for all the videos and info you bring us.

[@daviszalmanis1913]

I use Depo Racing gauges. Its like a Defi without an external control unit, way cheaper but still good quality. Allso Defi and Depo Racing are only analog gauges that doesnt make noise in my experience

[@Smeedia]

Just looked up the depos and they look good! Haven’t heard of them before

[@aregaminghd]

can you make a video on the vacuum & pcv system on a VA wrx? im sure there is plenty of info on it, but your way of explaining things is better than most with how much experience you have. like what is a vacuum box? how can we improve the oem pcv/vacuum system?

[@Smeedia]

I can add it to my list 🫡🫡

[@kgthegreatone943]

It's so important to have accurate gauges on a turbo car. Like oil pressure, fuel to air ratio and oil temperature.

[@Smeedia]

Those three right there are three most important 🫡🔥

[@StringGreens2]

Been using prosport gauges for over 10 years. Never had a gauge go bad...only one pressure sender failed after about 50k miles. Defi is great but nothing bad to say about prosports gauges after using them for over a decade.

[@Smeedia]

Personally haven’t used pro sport before but that’s not bad at all for only a sensor to go out in that time span 🔥

[@Devious_wrx]

5:33 Best way i found was to push the front two clips and itll come off clean but still difficult to come off cause those clips are on there

[@bradgreen987]

Beautiful gauge cluster. Electrical a bit daunting task. You make it look so easy

[@Smeedia]

They label everything rather nicely so it’s not too bad to hook it all up

[@jonathansawdon7089]

Have you ever thought of doin a forester xt? Love the content 👌

[@Smeedia]

I’ve debated it but never found one when the time was right

[@paulmarsdensr1095]

A nice set up brother. Subies forever.

[@Smeedia]

PAUL MY MANS!!!

[@Scoobaru_WRX]

@smeedia love the videos keep it up, I just did a 08-14 sti steering wheel swap, i highly recommend doing the swap in the GD, getting a DAMD wheels as well, fantastic driver mod upgrade. If you do do it you should do a video on how as there's not alot of info, but its more then doable. But the wheels bolts up with ease. To get tje controls wired up, its a little more tedease, but more then doable.

[@670cars8]

I want them so bad but I have the OEM lamco gauges, debating selling mine for the defi ones

[@Smeedia]

The Lamcos are pretty cool, don’t see em too often!

[@Christosan88]

That shroud depending on which ine could be a wait time. last time I checked. Congrats I want that for the Porschabaru

[@chrisschuster6451]

I have to redo mine with the zero sports cf pod

[@Smeedia]

That one is 🔥

[@OscarRamirez-im3sq]

do you have a video installing the two aem guages? theres prob a ton online but i love your format of videos. GGs

[@25rsti15]

I have a set of defi cr gauges from my 2014, definitely worth there price. Wish there was better pod solutions for the vb to use them and the boost wasn't ridiculous to tap.

[@Smeedia]

I swear I saw something similar to the any cluster for the VB?

[@25rsti15]

The only ones I've seen for the vb is the defrost vent pods.

[@MotoDev]

Defi is definitely best quality gauges. you can also choose exhaust manifold temp sensor instead of the water temp.

[@johnlexus1]

I agree this is a must!!

[@TwoFourSevenDIY]

Been watching your channel for a while now, I'm really curious what camera you are using for your main camera. Your content always looks really great visually.

[@CoreyWilliams-eg1hn]

Yo smeedia I don’t have defi but I have prosport and im lost on where to wire them, any chance you can guide me in the right direction

[@Smeedia]

I’ve never used pro sport before but I would assume it’s not too much different. I believe the pro sports don’t have a single controller so everything needs to be powered independently then running sensors should be the same 👀

[@CoreyWilliams-eg1hn]

@@Smeedia Okay,thank you Smeedia as always brilliant content

[@chrisalexander410]

I’m running the X series 60mm boost.oil temp and exhaust temp.

[@Smeedia]

Yesssss 🔥 ext temp in the up pipe I’m guessing?

[@moisesalcala7450]

Gonna have to disagree with you there my friend. I sold my defi gauges for AEM x series gauge. Boost, AFR, Oil pressure all on the A pillar. Its nice to be able to log everything with the serial output

[@Smeedia]

They’re nice for that, for engine critical gauges I prefer the digitals for quick reference like oil pressure

[@auberonkoo4282]

you should pry the OEM clock from the side and not from the front.

[@valrandir]

Love it, I would just go with oil pressure/temp and put the gauges behind the wheel, not to lose the OEM screen on the 2019+ sti.

[@bmr444]

You need to use that pry tool to push the tab in to get them out nicely I believe... I can't remember if it's tabbed the same as the AIT... But that's how I do the AIT pod for sure... Always terrified of breaking it... Lol

[@alexandremailloux8966]

Look up Jdm Gr Sti shift knob, maybe you seen one already. But it’s the best looking in my opinion and fit really well with the steering wheel

[@suprafastmafc]

I'd swear my buddy's 05 had these from factory? Were they added?

[@Smeedia]

They had a Gnome OEM Option but they rare 👀

[@AblationMusic]

Let’s make sure we have everything right, according to the description. This is what you pay without sponsors for the same set up. $308.75 oil temp $308.75 water temp $356.25 boost $413.25 oil pressure $223.25 Defi Advance Gauges Control Unit V2 $413.25 Defi Advance BF Exhaust Temperature Metric 60mm Gauge $ 208.00 ATI gauge cluster. $308.75+ $308.75+ $356.25 + $413.25 + $223.25 + $413.25 + $208.00 = $2231.5 in total without a sponsor.

[@Smeedia]

Those are all the gauge options. I most definitely do not have all of that 😂😅

[@Smeedia]

Defi is also the most expensive option, I wanted the DEFI because they’re the closest you can get to the STI gnome option. The Gnomes were OEM Defi options in the early 2000s that are all best to hell and wayyyy more $$$ for. Clean set. Definitely cheaper options out there!

[@AblationMusic]

@@Smeedia They are sooo sick though!!

[@mandel4889]

got a video on your head unit ? :)

[@Smeedia]

I do somewhere, was a couple months back 😅

[@uknterror508]

It's funny how Defi was way ahead of its time, having CAN like features before CAN integration was a common feature like how it is now. I love them, glowshit tried so hard to copy them

[@HarrodsGarage]

Could you not find the JDM switch for the windows because they are RHD

[@jacobstephens8447]

That gauge cluster is some hot boi shit fs

[@kheff46]

Get a TCG. Tanner coolness gauge

[@carlosVillasenor-s6e]

Don’t put a sensor in the aluminum radiator you could introduce electrolytes

[@Smeedia]

Don’t more than a handful of times and never had an issue with it 👀

[@sergiopassos376]

Hotboy jdm gauges ✅️

[@Smeedia]

Can’t go wrong with em 🔥

[@Luisv0117]

Love the videos and the gauges look great !! But quick question I have a 2017 wrx and sadly I think I have a boost leak, my car is fully stock, the boost won’t go over 2-3 psi and when I try to go over that my rpm slips , what do you think it could be please and thank you keep on with the amazing work !!

[@josefelix7307]

Hey tanner my 2018 subaru sti iat are reading high. Ambient is 70 and it reads 98-105 while driving. I tried another maf and it read the same. I have cobb sf intake

[@deeds1463]

I noticed you never use the firewall hole above the brake pedal for gauges. makes the cable run much shorter and easier to access. just curious why you prefer the passenger side?

[@ManiacSugar]

I need me some of those

[@Smeedia]

🔥🔥🔥

[@valrandir]

What's the difference between the existing coolant temp sensor, and the new "water temp"? Isen't water temp same as cooler temp?

[@25rsti15]

I'm in the process of doing the wiring on mine that i had from my old wrx from years ago and i had the white tapped but never used the headlight switch to dim the gauges or anything. I know the old manuals used to say the white was optional but with the advance control units they don't say they are optional. Is the white only needed if you want to be able to adjust the brightness with the headlights and is not needed for anything else?

[@bensiok]

bro at 5:40, you life it up from the front where the clock is from the front of the car. then it won't breaky

[@SilentProfessional.]

Are they ever going to fix their website for the 06-07 STi search function? It always tell me "There are no parts that fit" :( ..... I'm trying to rebuild my 07 Sti as well and your vids are coming in clutch !!

[@valrandir]

Unrelated but seing the naked shifter, does using a shortshifter makes it riskier to do a money shift?

[@Fwhalon]

I'm gonna be getting my accessport soon, is there a place where I can check to see if my car is tuned properly for what I have in it since I bought it used and already slightly modified? I'm in Kent so if you got a local place you'd recommend, I can head over there

[@Smeedia]

When you go to install it it’ll tell you if it’s tuned. It’ll ask to marry over the prior AP. If it’s open source tuned you’ll need to figure out what software it was tuned in and potentially have to put a factory tune back on

[@Fwhalon]

@@Smeedia Alright. Do I need a laptop? I currently don't have one. If I needed help, where exactly could I go?

[@harrisonmorin616]

12:12 makes me think of the OG Toph from avatar “ I am not toph I am melon lord!!!!”

[@MannyG-ki4xu]

Love the setup. I fkn love your videos. Is it normal to have ~50psi oil on idle? I’m running about the same oil pressure and running 5w40. Just curious your thoughts since I see a lot of conflicting info.

[@xperttii]

This might be a dumb question but do you think the sensors in the Defi kit can be used for both the gauges and my standalone ecu (Maxxecu)? Would love to have both gauges and also information for the ECU.

[@aynun1647]

Analog gauges have a special place in my heart, sad new cars are going mostly digital.

[@Smeedia]

Analog gauges are like nice watches 🤌

[@da9pauly]

Do they make that gauge pod for the 07 Fozzy???

[@Smeedia]

Yessir 👀

[@jadizzle]

Looking to get these for my fxt but can’t seem to source out imperial versions, any advice on where to find them?

[@t1bmxfbm]

Yay! more parts I desperately want now! Haha 🤣🤣🤣

[@apexjdmimports]

Hi Tanner, what would bet the top 5 gauges you would recommend for gd STI? I already have boost, oil temp and oil pressure. I’m assuming wide band and one other?

[@jmsti]

I love that triple gauge!!! But will not look good on my GV. LOL

[@Smeedia]

They look a bit funny in em 😅

[@donkyuhbuhts540]

What is the real world cost of this whole setup? I've been wanting to do this with oil temp, oil pressure, and maybe afr for my 11'.

[@donkyuhbuhts540]

Nevermind i seen you got all the links there already!

[@Smeedia]

I’ve bought this set up a few times, it’s def more in the spendy side and there are alternatives that are a bit cheaper. But the def is hit it for me 🔥

[@donkyuhbuhts540]

@@Smeedia cheaper is NEVER better!!!!

[@wariN70]

yo Tanner...where did you get the DAMD steering D Shaped for GDB model?

[@Menace_sti]

Can you use the oil gally plug under turbo for the pressure gauge or should i use the stock one

[@Smeedia]

You can but I prefer the front galley for pressure as it’s closer to the oil pump.

[@Menace_sti]

Thank you!

[@FoundAGarage]

I have your Hawkeye tshirt which no longer appears on your website… can you make a similar Blobeye tshirt? 🤓

[@Smeedia]

When I do another drop I’ll whip something up 🫡

[@godbodyaye9201]

Whats an average oil temp for these cars and whats considered high

[@ИванДинков-ъ8й]

Can this be installed on stock sti from 2011

[@Spritz69420]

do you reckon its worth having gauges on a fairly stock wrx?

[@Smeedia]

Never hurts to have em tbh

[@westonmickey3890]

How do you like your AEM gauges?

[@Toddsnightmare]

Is the boost gauge crooked? Or is it me

[@Subaruby34]

They look cool for sure, 1000-1200bucks for that is wayy to steep imo

[@Smeedia]

Perrin used to make a similar set for cheaper but idk why they stopped making them

[@gazza8475]

nice one brother

[@flownw1105]

Anyone know if bp5 guages are compatible with gd wrx?