FAQ

Q) What size are the gauges?
A) Minor gauges are 52mm and Major gauges are 80mm. (SAAS)

SAAS Muscle Series :



 *As long as your gauges fall within the specified range, they’ll fit the dash kit. For example, if your minor gauge bezel measures between 8.5mm and 9.5mm, you’re good to go.


 

Q) What’s the difference between SAAS Muscle Series 1 , Muscle Series 3, And Muscle Digital?

Look:

  • Series 1:
    The Muscle Series 1 is traditional analogue-looking gauges. There are some subtle differences between them, and even more differences under the hood. The Series 1 has clear needles and a gun metal bezel.

  • Muscle Series 3:
    Muscle Series 3 is traditional analogue-looking gauges. There are some subtle differences between them, and even more differences under the hood. The Series 3 has red needles and a bright aluminum bezel.

  • Muscle Digital
    The Digital gauges are obviously unique. They have a digital readout, plus an analogue progress bar around the perimeter of the dial face. With a grey bezel

Colours:

  • Muscle Series 1:
    Series 1 can be set to Green, Red, Blue and White.

    *Note that the minor gauges lose their colour setting when the battery is removed, and default to green.

  • Muscle Series 3:
    Series 3 can be set to Red, Green, Blue, Purple, White, Amber, Pink, Ice blue, Orange, and Aqua.

  • Muscle Digital:
    Digital can be set to Red, Green, Blue, Purple, White, Amber, Pink, Ice blue, Orange, and Aqua.

Features:

  • Muscle Series 1:
    Speedo and tach have a remote programing button, while the minor gauges have a programing button on the rear.

  • Muscle Series 3:
    Speedo and tach have a remote programing button, while the minor gauges have a programing button on the rear, and an optional remote programming button (supplied).

  • Muscle Digital:
    Speedo and tach have a remote programing button, while the minor gauges have a programing button on the rear, and an optional remote programming button (supplied).

Sensors:

  • Muscle Series 1:
    oil pressure and water temperature sensors are single wire.

  • Muscle Series 3:
    Oiil pressure sensor is 3 wire, and water temperature is a 2 wire sensor.

  • Muscle Digital:
    Oiil pressure sensor is 3 wire, and water temperature is a 2 wire sensor.

In summary, the Series 1 and 3 are visibly similar, while the Digital and Series 3 are electronically similar.


Electrical Interference & Gauge Readings

(Important for Older Vehicles)

SAAS electronic gauges are designed to be accurate and responsive, but like most modern electronics, they can be affected by electrical interference—especially in older vehicles that weren’t built with sensitive electronics in mind. If the wiring isn’t set up correctly, you may notice unstable readings, flickering displays, or the gauge restarting itself.

These issues are most commonly caused by electrical interference entering the sender wiring. Oil pressure and water temperature gauges use low-voltage signals, which means they can be easily affected by nearby electrical activity.

Common sources of interference include ignition components, alternators, electric motors (such as radiator fans, fuel pumps, or wipers), relays switching on and off, and poor or corroded ground connections.

Common Installation Causes

  • Using different ground points for the gauge, sender, and accessories, which can allow interference to travel through the wiring.

  • Running sender wires too close to ignition wiring, coils, or alternator cables.

  • Powering the gauge from an old or unfiltered ignition circuit.

How to Avoid Issues

  • Use a fused ignition-switched power supply.

  • For best results, power the gauge through a relay directly from the battery.

  • Avoid tapping into heavily loaded or aging circuits.

  • Keep sender wires away from high-current wiring.

  • If wires must cross, cross them at right angles rather than running them alongside each other.

  • Use suppression-type spark plug leads and ensure ignition components are in good condition.

Following these steps will help ensure stable readings, smooth operation, and long-term reliability of your gauges.


Frequently Asked Questions

Will the SAAS Fuel gauge work with my Standard Commodore fuel sender?

Yes, however, there are a few things to know and consider.

The standard Commodore fuel sender resistance in Ohms is as follows:

Empty: Approximately 283 ohms
Half: Approximately 97 ohms
Full: Approximately 40 ohms

Your sender should be in good condition.

If you want to, you can test your sender ohms values as follows:
Note it is recommended to remove the sender from the tank to perform these tests.

Set up your multimeter to ohms. Pace one probe on the sender terminal, and the other to ground. This can be the body of the sender itself. Check full, empty and the mid point and check against the standard specifications.

Also ensure that the ohms reading is constantly changing between the upper and lower values as you slowly move the sender arm through its movement.

If you find any ‘dead zones’, you can try cleaning the resistor surface and contact with a contact cleaner, or replace the sender. They are available from places such as Rare Spares.

When we build a full SAAS kit, we pre-set the SAAS Fuel gauge to setting #5 “Autometer Sender - Empty: 240 ohms.  Full: 33 ohms.

This is suitable for most applications. Sometimes on the digital gauges we see that full reads 97% on the gauge.
On Series 3, we see no discernible offset.  However, if you need a more accurate fuel level reading, consider fitting an Ohm converter available from Emdawg JDM, or an Autometer “Fuel Bridge”. This will allow you to adjust full, mid, and empty precisely.

It can also help eliminate erratic needle movement due to fuel slosh.

How to avoid issues

Electrical Interference & Gauge Readings:

Use a resistor style spark plug for electrical noise suppression. (Usually the part number will have an R in it.)

For example a Holden (308) V8, recommended resistor spark plug includes NGK BPR5FS (3124) or BPR6FS (2623), which help reduce electrical interference.

These plugs are generally suitable for stock engines, with some setups using Denso Iridium options like IW24 or IUF24.

Note: If the engine is modified or using forced induction, you may need to go one heat range colder (e.g., BPR6FS or BR7EF)

For (304) EFI V8s, resistor style spark plugs are the specified standard for proper ECU management.

Please consult with your engine builder or mechanic for the best resistor style sparkplug for your application.

How long will it take to receive my dash?

A) It usually takes around 2 - 3 weeks at this stage.

How do I connect the dash If I'm running a Sniper?

Our dash comes pre-wired and includes its own oil pressure and water temperature sensors.

For LS engines, the temp sender can be installed on the opposite head—typically the driver’s side rear—or in any available water port. You can also install it using a SAAS adapter in the top radiator hose.

For oil pressure, a dual adapter can be used at the factory port to fit both sensors.

The Sniper tach output wire is compatible with the SAAS tachometer, or you can connect to coil No.1 instead.
If your transmission doesn’t have a VSS (vehicle speed signal), you can use a cable-to-VSS converter or opt for our SAAS GPS speed sensor.

What engine / transmission combos are compatible with the Emdawg Retrotech Instrument clusters?

Our Retrotech Dash Instrument Clusters are currently compatible with the following model Commodores:

VB VC VH including SL, SLX, SLE, Vacationer, Executive, Berlina and Berlina Wagon. (Note: Calais may be added in the future.)

Most engine / transmission combinations will work with our instrument clusters. It just boils down to some minor differences in the wiring. Below is an example of engines and transmissions we know will work.

ENGINES:

All carbureted engines 186, 202, 253, 308, & strokers etc.

Newer engines with carburetors fitted such as 304, 355 & LS Gen III.

In this case, the tach signal will come from the coil, or coil 1. 

Fuel injected engines with factory or after-market ECUs such as 304, 355, & LS Gen III engines. 

The tach signal will usually come from the ECU, or alternatively coil 1. 

TRANSMISSIONS:

As the speedo gauge is electronic, transmissions, both auto & manual with a speedo cable output (Trimatic, TH350, TH400, M21, etc.), will require either our SAAS GPS adapter and aerial, or an after-market cable-to-pulsed output adapter for the speedo to function. We have had many cars work well with the GPS adapter. 

Transmissions with electronic Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) output (4l60e, 6L80e, T56, etc.) can use the VSS signal output from the transmission.

You may also need an oil pressure splitter, common for LS, and or a radiator hose temperature sensor adapter. These and more are available from our website.

How much modification work is required to install our instrument clusters?

For the wiring, you will need to replace the existing instrument cluster round connector with a (supplied in the assembled kit) Deutsch connector.

There are also additional wires for the oil, temp, tach, etc. as well, of course. Each kit comes with full instructions on how to do the installation, so if you can wire in say an after-market head unit, amp, and speakers, you can install this dash.

We are also here to provide full support anytime if you get stuck, or have any questions.