I was thinking on moulding some of my own. I only really want water temp, but depending how it looks, I might add more pods.

I was thinking on just getting some modelling clay and taking a mould of the space between the drivers air vent and the tach and making a fibreglass cast of it.

Does anyone know or has anyone pulled the a pillar off to find out where the airbag would fire out of? if it is high enough, would you be able to get some a pillar pods? or does the whole pillar fly off when the airbag goes off?

 

the airbag is in the headliner, the only things in the pillar are wires and the stamp that says SRS. Pillar pods are over rated anyway I would just get some nice looking mounts and line them up on the edge of the 2nd tier of the dash.

 

There was a group buy for these on Mazdas 24/7. You missed it. Price was $65-70 shipped.

These are pretty much ideal, but I'm not sure if they would fit the 2010's.

VentPod Single Gauge Pod for Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 - Revolution Performance Motorsports!

 

There was a group buy for these on Mazdas 24/7. You missed it. Price was $65-70 shipped.

These are pretty much ideal, but I'm not sure if they would fit the 2010's.

VentPod Single Gauge Pod for Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 - Revolution Performance Motorsports!

I remember someone saying earlier in the year that the RPM VentPod doesn't fit the 2010s (they had emailed RPM). $65-70 shipped sounds pricey for a 1-gauge pod, IMO. I'd *maybe* pay that for a 3-gauge pillar mount (although they typically run less than that). I know my 3 isn't a performance car, but I don't see any other way of mounting 3 gauges in that car w/ good sightlines and w/o losing the center console readout

 

I think sombody took off an A-Pillar and did find that there is an airbag inflator in there. If true, I doubt anybody will make a A-Pillar pod due to saftey issues, if the A-Pillar does in fact break away in an accident, then you will get a face full of gauges.

 

I was told an OEM catolog for the 2010 Mazda 3's would come out in June for new mods. Dont know if something like that would be in there or not.

 

I gave up looking for pre-made pods and mounted two Autometer Gauges in standard Autometer Gauge Cups on each side if the cluster. At least for me, as I sit in the car, nothing is obstructed, I can see the Nav Screen just fine. Also attached is a picture of the vent pod for the 2010 MZ3, but I thought $70 was a bit much. The standard Autometer Gauge Cups are only about $15

 

Oh now I remember your write-up (it was yours, right?) where you used double sided tape to fix the gauge cups to the dash? I thought about that, but ideally I would like a panel that replaces a trim panel. What's really cool that I've seen done on first-gen 3's is a panel that replaces the center vents with one that has the vents and pods for the gauges. Might obstruct the center readout though. I was looking on protegegarage.com and saw some adhesive pods that stick onto the A-pillar. I'll keep looking, but I'm definitely looking to do something before I trek across the country sometime mid-summer

 

Anyone know where to get the frost vent pod? I'de much rather have a guage sitting there than anywhere else.

 

You will need to join mazdas247.com and contact the member blockh3ead.

Here's a pic of one in a 2004 MSM that I saw up close and personal on my last trip to Boston.

 

What about getting a single DIN CD/MP3 or flip out video deck? then for the other single DIN slot use the universal 3 pod gauge?

Universal Triple Gauge Single Din Radio Face Pod

the picture there would be similar to my set up in the 2010 Mazda 3

 

Ya, I got that defrost pod for my 2010 MS3... it's legit stuff... But like mentioned above, you need to het ahold of blockh3ead... He's also on mazdaspeedforums under the name: GhostSpeed

He uses a stock vent, and molds a plastic cup into the vent... It looks very nice, and he makes it in different sizes for different sized gauges...

I haven't installed mine yet, but I have a 52mm Prosport mechanical boost gauge and it fits the pod just fine.

 

Here is mine to compare with the others.
Custom fit on the A-Pillar. No chance to burst airbag there.
Cost about 6$ loll (Same has glowshift 60mm single gauge pod but from ebay)
and 2$ worth of carbon2 vinyl.

 

I am not sure you understand the air bag deployment. The entire a-pillar will blow open towards the windshield and send that gauge flying into the windshield and scatter gauge debris everywhere. It deploys with a lot of force and extremely quickly.

 

When it deploy it only pop out about an inch because it's retained by a clip. Pretty difficult to explain but if you remove your A-Pillar youll understand. There is a clip you need to twist hard to be able to remove the pillar.

 

One thing to keep in mind, If you are in an accident, and the airbag does not deploy correctly, Mazda will wash their hands of you for any modification to the A-Pillar and your insurance company will most likely decline any coverage. Airbags just should not be messed with. I worked with the supplier for the instrument panel for the 2000-2006 Cadillac DeVille and the testing that goes into it is very extensive. Many a times we popped the passenger airbag in testing in front of a high speed camera, and it deploys split second and with a lot of force. Any one thing in the way can cause the air bag door or a-pillar not to open as intended. Personally, I just would not mess with anything that can affect airbag operation. Just my opinion.