You only need the new needles if you have an ES gauge cluster. If you have an OZ, which was designed for red backlights, then you would need to alter your gauge faces as well as get new needles. Also, since no one sells just needles, that's why there is a core exchange for those. If there wasn't, a whole new cluster would have to be purchased every time someone wanted new needles.

 

I do have an ES cluster. I'm not against their needle exchange program but i saw a few pics of people with their cluster backlights changed to blue using the lightrikz kit and it didn't look that bright thats why i am thinking about going red instead. Plus if i go red couldn't i keep my stock needles cus they're red also.

 

True - sticking with red will let you keep your needles. But I have some friends with Blue ES clusters and the are hotness

 

Yea thats why i was thinking blue at first plus my headlights also have a good amount of blue tint to them so i thought it would all match but now i'm like red would'nt look bad either lol... .does anyone know if i go with red would i still need to buy a new face plate?

 

Go red needles with blue faces. Two tone looks nice as long as the colors are complementary or match with a scheme you have with a HU or what not. I guess by "face plate" you mean the gauge face, so no on the ES you don't need to change it. I've recently discovered to shave the back of the OZ cluster for more light, and don't think the ES is in need of this. Someone correct me if that's wrong.

 

From what I understand, it's not possible to go blue faces, red needles. Since the same bulbs light everything up, using blue bulbs to light red needles will project some fugly color probably. Maybe I'm not accurate though.

 

Did you happen to get those guage cluster bulb #s yet shield?. Or do you care to help us out with it Z_Lancer_man?

 

I found the following thread on here that has some good info about all the bulbs but it doesn't say what year car they're talking about... does anyone know? are the bulbs the same for all years?
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=42034

 

Well since it was made in 03, I'd think they were talking 02/03. I'm pretty sure all years are the same.


Still just need the guage bulb #s.

 

Congrats! That is the post I was referring to when I said to search earlier

 

I can't find that list I had anywhere on my home computer. Lost in a reformat somewhere. It's really irritating because the number is floating around in my head and I can't pick it out. I'm thinking either 194, or 168 with a few notions of 74. I think, note I am not sure, that it is the 194 or possibly 74. Fairly common size I believe.

 

I actually fabricate the gauge cluster replacement LEDs using specially designed discrete LEDs (5mm) and soldering on some in-line resistors. But the bulb holder (base) size of the stock bulbs is roughly equivalent to the #74 bulb and the glass portion is roughly a #24 bulb. However, don't bother trying to replace the stock bulbs with #74 LEDs as you will be sorely disappointed in the lack of light dispersion. There aren't 74 LEDs with a wide enough angle of light dispersion. Also, just an FYI, the hole in which the bulb enters on the back of the gauge cluster is ~8.1 mm.

I've spent years (3 this month) researching and developing the gauge cluster LEDs

 

#24 incandescent works perfectly for the ES, the distribution of light is just like stock.
But if you have the OZ cluster, then that's a different story.
And removing the yellow tint on the back of the OZ gauge face does not make that much of a difference.

 

Z_Lancer's (Lightrikz) pics beg to differ

 

Yeah I'm liking the look of his. Might have to do that this weekend as money is running out due to new lease and new place.

Hey Zack you got new tight LED's coming out soon?