The Haltech iC-7 is one of the most popular colour digital dashes in Australia. Most people know it as the screen that goes with a Haltech ECU, but it can also run on its own in a classic car with a carburettor or a factory ECU. Here's what you need.
What the iC-7 is
- 7-inch full-colour screen that dims automatically to suit the light
- 14 programmable shift and alarm LEDs across the top
- IP64 rated housing (dust-tight and splash-proof), with buttons on the face rather than a touch screen
- Built-in inputs for sensors and switches, so it doesn't rely only on CAN
- 512 MB of data logging
- Configured with Haltech's NSP software (the same software used to tune Haltech ECUs)
Option 1: With an ECU
If your car runs a Haltech ECU, the iC-7 plugs straight in over CAN and shows everything the ECU knows. It also works with several other ECU brands over CAN, including Link, MaxxECU, MoTeC and Syvecs, and Haltech sells adaptor looms for others. For newer cars with a factory ECU, there's an OBD-II to CAN cable.
Option 2: Stand-alone in a classic
For a carby V8, an old six or a factory-injected car without CAN, Haltech sells the Stand-Alone iC-7 Classic kit. It includes a semi-terminated wiring harness, a coolant temperature sensor and two 0–150 psi pressure sensors (for oil and fuel), and it's set up to show:
- RPM, oil pressure, fuel pressure, coolant temp and fuel level (from your existing fuel sender)
- Indicators, high beam, handbrake and park lights on screen
Want more? A Haltech wideband (for air/fuel ratio) and tyre pressure monitoring can be added over CAN.
Speed: you need a source
Classic cars with a cable speedo have no electronic speed signal. The simplest fix is the Haltech GPS speed module (HT-011310). It sends a speed signal into one of the dash's digital inputs, updates 10 times a second and only needs a tick-box in the software. You don't need to touch the gearbox.
The GPS antenna needs a clear view of the sky. In a VB–VK Commodore, our speaker grill with Haltech GPS antenna mount hides it in the factory dash speaker grille. See where to mount a GPS speedo antenna for more.
Mounting it so it looks factory
Haltech sells a standard mount, a mount with a visor, a tube mount and a moulded panel, which work well in race cars. In a street classic, most owners want the screen sitting where the original cluster was, with no brackets stuck on the dash. That's what a dedicated dash kit does: it replaces the factory cluster housing with one shaped to hold the iC-7.
We're about to release a range of iC-7 dash kits designed for classic cars. Join the waiting list by adding your car in Your Garage and we'll let you know when your model is ready.
Rough budget (October 2026)
- iC-7 dash kit: around A$1,800 from Australian resellers
- Stand-Alone iC-7 Classic kit (dash plus harness and sensors): around A$2,650
- GPS speed module: extra
- Dash mounting kit: extra
Prices vary between sellers and Haltech stock is often on back order, so check before you plan your build.
iC-7 or gauges?
Not everyone wants a full digital screen in a 1970s or 80s car. If you'd rather keep a classic look with modern reliability, our RetroTech dash kits use SAAS gauges instead. Compare them in SAAS Muscle Series 3 vs Muscle Digital or see which RetroTech dash kit fits my Commodore.
FAQ
Do I need a Haltech ECU?
No. The Stand-Alone kit runs the iC-7 without one.
Will it read my factory sensors?
The fuel sender can usually be used. Oil pressure and coolant temperature use the sensors supplied in the kit.
Is it hard to wire?
If you're comfortable with basic auto wiring, it's a DIY job. Otherwise an auto electrician can do it quickly with the semi-terminated harness.