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okay, so I just won a dash off ebay (250 shipped to my door, has gauges and everything apparently).... my question is... is the wiring the same in Berlinettas as it is in RS/Z28s? I know that my Berlinetta has digital gauges, so will they control the "mechanical" gauges on the LT1 bird Dash? I know I'll need a dakota digital box to correctly view my speed (and rpms? or are they directly related?).
I ask if the wiring is the same between Berly and RS/Z because there's already all these write-ups that would make it a simple weekend job
Also, I wont be needing my old dash, so if someone wants the dashpad that is in near perfect shape, and/or the dash... so if anyone is interested in it send me a PM, or email me at sellmanb@hotmail.com with offers.
__________________ Berlinetta... on route to be a 1991 GFX'd IROC/Z28 clone... with all the luxuries inside
1986 Camaro Berlinetta, 350, 700R4 w/ Corvette Servo, modified Q-Jet for 795CFM, Optima Red Top Battery, LT1 Mini-Starter, 14" Open Element, ZZ4 intake, SLP 1 5/8" Headers, Catco 3" High-flow Cat, Hooker cat-back, 36mm front swaybar, 24mm rear swaybar, WS6 springs, 3.23 posi 9 bolt, 4th gen dash and console in progress.
If it runs 20's at 75MPH on the track I'll be happy
best of luck to ya, i don't have wiring diagrams for the berlys on me , so...you're a test pilot im sure this information might be well set out for everyone in the future who might be wanting to do this undrertaking. cross reference part numbers for your sensor (oil press, etc) to another maro of the same model year w/o digital gauges, if they're the same, then the senders are the same, so, those things should be fine. Then check your wiring diagrams and wire colors for a starter , check and see if your colors match those of the same model year non-digi, i'm assuming that they'll be different in some way shape or form, but only time will tell, so go find out. Then compare those to the new dash and go from there. Whether you have all the info or not , it's still not a weekend job....eh, nm. I got mine in in less than a weekend, the tuning, wiring, etc, took a tad longer, bout a full week if you think about it.
Thanks 85f-bird... I've read all of your dash swap threads, they help out a lot
I have a feeling I'm in for more than I was expecting. I'll have to find a turn signal lever, mount it (where there are no mounting points on my steering column currently) and wire that up from scratch.
I planned to label all the wires that I could as I pulled them from the dash, to make it easier to find wires when I'm cross-referencing.
I'll reply my findings when I get done with them, or as I get them. Though chances are that most Berlinetta owners will not want to give up their digital dash, and awsome turny radio thing... but that's the luxuries of yesterday... I'm looking for an updated look, and feel... and the 4th gen dash is just that
haven't looked at a berli-digi dash in quite a long time. Q for ya, are ur turn signals buttons that are mounted to the dash? if so, might have an idea for ya. I've seen people now making a setup into their overhead console for switches (saw them done...once) but, if they're push buttons, relocating them to such location would be kinda neat looking, and could remove that need for you to change columns, as that would be "a lot of work". You could also change your switches to something that could help that 'modern' look that you're going for, and mount those. just an option, key though, is that they have to be somewhere practical, as you'll be using them a lot.
good idea 85f-bird. I just dont know where I can mount it without it looking like a hackjob. I think I'll go to a junkyard and snatch a turn signal lever and assembly, and just see what I can do. I think I'll want a new steering wheel anyways (since the old one fits the old interior REALLY well, just very much the 80's look).
I'll post a pic of the dash once I recieve it, should be a couple weeks. Gunna paint it black to match the carpet too, I give props to Stekman for telling me how to prep the interior pieces well
Just get yourself a regular thirdgen camaro steering column to solve the turn signal problem,....... you will need to just about pull the column completely out anyway if your swapping the entire dash housing !
The Berlinetta heater and AC box is the same as the Camaro heater box - so there will be no trouble there with clearance unless the little relays get in the way. You could just re-locate them if that happens. The wiring is very different from a regular camaro and you need to be sure that you get the right schematics.
When I swapped a regular 1986 Camaro analog dash set-up into an 85 Berlinetta the firewall wiring connector ( to engine and headlight harnesses ) were the same with 2 exceptions.... the wiper motor wires were different and the electrical Speedo signal wire. Both cars had a carburator fuel set-up - That might make a difference !!!
It seems like the best way to start this project is to be sure to get both sides of the original firewall connector so you can splice the 'interior' plug to the new dash once you have the correct wiring diagrams