Does anyone know of a book, magazine, or site that talks about this? From what I hear shift lights only tap into one wire (?) and I can't imagine one wire from the ECU contains 150 bucks worth of technology/circuitry from Autometer or another brand.

Yeah they tap into your tach signal wire.

I emailed a couple of motorcycle guys who have supposedly done something similar to what I am thinking... no replies yet though... :(

drat.

Well take an oscilloscope to the signal wire and graph out what you see. It shouldn't be hard if your an electronic's buff to make something simple to turn on at x voltage...

Goodluck. Personally all the time a manufactur puts into designing a unit that works with virtually any car, comes in a presentable package and offers some type of warranty, is rather cheap at $150.

Yeah, but then you have a big giant black thing on your dash with a big ugly yellow light! I just want a small LED light to flick on at XYZ RPM... I will figure it out over time I guess.

I've got a friend whose working on a customizable shift light for the Impreza. PM me if you want more details.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

Originally posted by StankFootZ
Yeah, but then you have a big giant black thing on your dash with a big ugly yellow light! I just want a small LED light to flick on at XYZ RPM... I will figure it out over time I guess.

I've seen some as thin as a pen. I've also had a friend mount his light in his A/C vent for a very stealth install.

You need to stop browsing the local APC authorized dealers. ;) :D

I've always considered shift lights a ricer kind of item so I didn't know you could get them anywhere else. Where should I look for a more sleek model?

Originally posted by StankFootZ
I've always considered shift lights a ricer kind of item so I didn't know you could get them anywhere else. Where should I look for a more sleek model? Harlan might be able to build you a custom (smaller) version of his shift light.

http://www.harlan-engineering.com/store/store.html

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the one at harlan is pretty ugly though...i wouldnt want something like that in my car...i think it should be 1 big bulb not 5 differnt bulbs creating as much light as 1 big bulb