TachMatch Product Summary

There are several TachMatch Products, all described below in more detail. Here's an overview to help decide which products apply to your application:

• The standard TachMatch TM-03 is used in most applications. It allows triggering from a coil ignition, HEI, MSD, and ECU tach output signals. It will directly drive most standard voltage-driven tachometers, as well as vintage tachometers, such as early Sun, S-W and Radatron units which are typically identified by only having two terminals on the back, labeled + and -. With vintage tachometers, the TachMatch is installed in place of the original sender module, which is no longer necessary. If you wish to maintain the original look of the interface, the TachMatch can be installed inside an EB-style interface, as shown here, or inside a Red Can interface, as shown here.
• The TachMatch TM-03 I-Drive is used for applications where the tachometer is current-driven, rather than voltage-driven. This applies to early '70s Datsuns, Smiths and Jaeger gauges marked RVI, and others where there is a loop of wire on the rear of the tachometer. It is the same as the standard TachMatch TM-03, but also includes a power-shunt resistor
• The TachMatch V-Boost is used for tachometers that require more than 12v to actuate. While most tachometers trigger from a 12v signal, some rely on the higher-voltage generated by the coil's inductive spike. Examples include some Jeeps and Porsche/VW VDO tachometers. We have also seen a number of early Datsun tachometers that need additional voltage to trigger. It is designed to be triggered by ECU, MSD or another TachMatch, but not for triggering directly from the coil. The V-Boost unit does not do cylinder translation.

TachMatch Model Summary

Model	Trigger Type				Ratios	Tachometer Type
	Coil	MSD	HEI	ECU	Cylinder-Count Conversion	Standard Voltage-Driven Tach	Current-Driven Tach	Vintage Tach	Hi-Volt Drive
TachMatch TM-03	X	X	X	X	X	X		X
TachMatch TM-03 I-Drive	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
TachMatch V-Boost		X		X		X			X

TachMatch is connected via screw terminals on each module. Wire is not provided. An optional Wiring Kit is available if you do not have suitable wire readily available.

For a video discussing TachMatch installation and use, click here. Video Subjects: Introduction (:00), Types of tachometers (:58), TachMatch Family (3:06), Wiring, controls and indicators (4:54), Voltage-driven tachometers (7:59), Vintage tachs like Sun and Stewart-Warner (10:06), Current-driven tachs like Datsun and Smiths RVI (12:08), Other uses, trouble-shooting (15:20), Conclusion (16:58).

TachMatch products are shipped via priority mail. Please see TachMatch purchase information for purchase details and additional postage necessary when shipping out of the US. Please look over the TachMatch FAQ for more information prior to purchase.

For an excellent source for repair and detailed information about Smiths, Jaeger and VDO tachometers, as well as late-model Ford and other instrumentation, visit the Accutach Co. site. Accutach also offers a solution for the 760-series Stewart-Warner vintage tachometers which were originally driven with a "switch" sandwiched between the distributor and distributor cap.

The TachMatch Model TM-03 is designed with computer-controlled internal circuitry housed in a plastic enclosure. A 5-pin terminal strip is used for connection of the wiring (wires not included, but can be purchased below). To help solve any installation problems, it includes diagnostic tools, such as a LED that indicates power and if it is being triggered, and a special test output that can ensure that it is connected properly to your tachometer by providing a 4,000 RPM signal. If you are driving a vintage tachometer, a potentiometer allows you to adjust the output to make your tach read properly. For other types of tachometers (voltage and current-driven) that do not read correctly with the accurate digital signal, you can adjust the output to make a correction.

The TachMatch will trigger from the coil, HEI tach signal, MSD tach signal, or from an ECU. If you are triggering from an ECU, it contains an internal pull-up resistor. It is compatible with Pertronix ignitions except multiple spark units such as the Pertronix Ignitor III.

Here is more information about the TachMatch Model TM-03:

Specifications Warranty Instruction Manual

The standard TachMatch TM-03 drives most analog tachometers.

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Some earlier vehicles (such as the early 70's Datsuns and Smiths/Jaeger tachs labeled as RVI on the face) use a current-driven tachometer instead of a voltage-driven tachometer. These types of tachometers can usually be identified by loops of wire around the connections at the back of the tachometer (see an example here). It takes more current and different wiring to drive these tachometers than typical voltage-driven tachometers.

This unit is the same as the standard TachMatch TM-03, but in addition, it includes an external power resistor to sink the current necessary for current-driven tachs.

See the TachMatch TM-03 instruction manual above for details of installation. If you are installing it in an early Datsun 240Z, you can find wiring information here... .240Z TachMatch Wiring

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Most tachometers can be driven with a 12v pulse signal, such as that provided by the standard TachMatch and the MSD-6 series. However, some tachometers need a stronger signal that more closely replicates the signal generated by the coil.

The TachMatch V-Boost Module takes a lower level input signal, whether it be ECU output, MSD 6 tach output, or from a standard TachMatch TM-03, and generates a stronger signal to the tachometer, similar in function to the MSD 8920.

Another application is when you are changing from a coil-style ignition to a system that uses a ECU. Often, ECU's, with a 5-volt signal, will not drive tachometers designed to use a 12-volt (or higher) level signal. This unit will convert from the digital-level signal to one which will drive your tachometer, similar to the Auto Meter 9117.

The TachMatch Voltage Boost Module does not do cylinder conversion. If you need that, it needs to be driven from a TachMatch TM-03.

Details of it's connection can be found in the instruction manual below.

Specifications Warranty Instruction Manual

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