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LS swaps and ambitious restomod projects have exploded in popularity in recent years, but until now there hasn’t been a fast, clean way to match modern V8s to a traditional style instrument cluster. Not everyone wants digital gauges in their vintage Chevelle or Camaro but to date, pulling comprehensive information to a vintage-looking speedometer, tachometer, or other analog gauges has invariably meant duplicated sensors and complex wiring.
Zeus Link, the new, all-inclusive gauge interface unit from Classic Instruments, is designed to provide a one-stop-shop for connecting modern motors to traditional gauges via the OBDII port, with simple configuration through an app. From its launch, in March, 2024, it’ll be compatible with any 2008+ GM engine, or any motor running Holley’s Sniper or Terminator ECUs, regardless of motor manufacturer. Further versions for Ford Coyote and Dodge/Chrysler Gen-3 Hemi ECUs are in development.
“When the industry started moving from traditional carbureted motors to aftermarket LS platforms, the gauges didn’t work,” observes John McLeod, director of Classic Instruments. “Many people turned to OBDII readers, but a lot of data was either missing or not consistent across platforms. We weren’t happy with the complexity and cost of the solutions out there. In particular, plugging into the CAN bus solely for oil and water pressure seemed like an unnecessary expense compared with using simple sending units.
“As the LS platform became more popular, we looked at what our customers needed and challenged our team to create a better solution,” he continues. “We sat down with a blank sheet of paper and added everything we’d want a new product to do, including ensuring that any Classic Instruments gauge made since 1977 could plug into a GM ECU, a Sniper or any other controller. The result is Zeus Link.”
Classic Instruments engineers had almost completed the development of Zeus Link by the time Holley added the company to its portfolio of brands in late-2021. Further development and testing, leveraging the resources of different Holley divisions, has resulted in an even higher performing, more user-friendly product, McLeod says. “Holley’s engineering team helped us fine-tune Zeus Link and added an app to simplify the setup. We believe we have developed the next generation of gauges.”
Holley’s resources have helped Classic Instruments thoroughly test the new device, too. The team leveraged the dyno motors at Speartech to pair a test module and gauge panel with all known 2008+ GM engine-transmission combinations. Zeus Link was also tested with numerous complete vehicles, running through as many scenarios as possible to ensure reliability for the customer regardless of their ride. The addition of an optional resistor dongle stops CAN message interference from other Holley devices on the same harness, such as a digital dash.
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Building on best practice from other Holley products, the Zeus Link app is designed to simplify installation. Paired to the module via Bluetooth, it automatically shows which signals are available – vehicle speed, oil pressure or boost, for example. It’s then a case of selecting on-screen the gauges you wish to connect, including their measurement range and signal source – say, coolant temperature, from a sender, 140-280°F – and plugging in a single sending wire from Zeus Link to the gauge. The app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store (Apple iOS) or Google Play (Android), even before purchasing the Zeus Link device.
“The connection process is much simpler than it has been on any modern engine installation to date,” says McLeod. “There’s probably no such thing as true plug-and-play, but this system is as close as you can get, as user-friendly as it could possibly be. We believe it’s going to revolutionize how people install their instruments.”
Six core gauges are supported – speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, oil pressure, volts and coolant temperature – plus two auxiliary gauges such as boost pressure, transmission temperature, air-fuel mixture, or anything else you can access from the vehicle. Warning lights can be configured in the app, too. “The sky’s the limit,” according to McLeod. A diagnostics screen with virtual gauges provides an overview of the setup and makes it easier to cycle gauges to predetermined positions, send test signals to the gauges to verify outputs, and troubleshoot incorrect wiring. “Nobody else in the industry has done this,” says McLeod. “It shows how far we’ve gone to provide great customer service.”
