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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
I happened up on an 83 z28. The speedometer is round, goes to 110mph with white letters. I didn't think any speedo went over 85mph until mid year 86. I don't believe this dash is original, but I would like to know more about it. The owner claims it's an L69, but I have my doubts. Is there any way of telling if the engine is an L69 by looking? I am going to meet with the owner this weekend. Any info about this year would be appreciated.
To be a factory L69 engine the 8th digit of the VIN# should be a 7 and the car had to have been produced in April of 1983 or later when this new option was introduced for the Z28 Camaro.
Thanks for the info. I still would like to know if GM used the 110 mph speedo in a 83 z28. My 86 IROC had an 85 mph speedometer, so it stands to reason that the 83 would have the same.
GT4373 is correct. The dual-needle speed was used from 82-84 and is correct for 83.
In 1985, the single needle speed was introduced but was also an 85 MPH version. If the speed in the 83 you are looking at is a single needle that goes to 110 -- it is not correct. The 140 MPH version Saxondale shows was an over the counter replacement that was available from GM.
GT4373 is correct. The dual-needle speed was used from 82-84 and is correct for 83.
In 1985, the single needle speed was introduced but was also an 85 MPH version. If the speed in the 83 you are looking at is a single needle that goes to 110 -- it is not correct. The 140 MPH version Saxondale shows was an over the counter replacement that was available from GM.
Ok, I need to go back and check the gauge to see if it was a single, or double needle. So did the correct 83 speedometer only go to 85 MPH?
The gauge used in 1982 was different than 1983, so if you're looking for correct, be sure you get the right one. Look carefully at the font and you'll see what I'm talking about.
1982
1983
1984
Last edited by scottmoyer; 11-20-2016 at 09:26 AM.
Correct. And an '84 speedo will swap places with odometer and trip odometer and move reset button from side to bottom. '82, '83, and '84 each had one-year-only speedometers.
Correct. And an '84 speedo will swap places with odometer and trip odometer and move reset button from side to bottom. '82, '83, and '84 each had one-year-only speedometers.
Although like most gear heads I despise the 85 speedometer, it's not not overly important that the speedo is correct for the year. It is important that the owner is somewhat upfront, and forthcoming with me, which appears isn't the case. The speedometer in the car has 6 digits, meaning it rolls over at 1,000,000 miles, and not 100,000 miles. By looking at what scottmoyer sent, 83 speedometers rolled over at 100,000 miles. The owner told me that everything was original. This could have been a mistake, but he also told me the car was in the family since it was new. I think I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the info to those contributing to this thread.
I had an 84 coupe about 10 years ago that had the single needle speedometer. It was the base gauge cluster with only a speedometer and gas gauge. I don't have any pictures of the cluster. I think the dual needle was included with the full gauge cluster, and it was an option to remove it to a single needle speedometer again. But every factory speedometer should be an 85mph for 82-86, after that they went to over 100mph. that was a GM standard, the 87 Monte SS I used to have had a 120mph speedo, but my 84 Z28 has an 85, same with my stepfathers 84 Corvette, but his is the digital dash. Now that being said, I dont know the year that GM switch to only 85mph speedometers. It had to be 79 or 80. A room mate of mine in college had a 78 Camaro with a 130mph speedo in it. hope this helps
I had an 84 coupe about 10 years ago that had the single needle speedometer. It was the base gauge cluster with only a speedometer and gas gauge. I don't have any pictures of the cluster. I think the dual needle was included with the full gauge cluster, and it was an option to remove it to a single needle speedometer again. But every factory speedometer should be an 85mph for 82-86, after that they went to over 100mph. that was a GM standard, the 87 Monte SS I used to have had a 120mph speedo, but my 84 Z28 has an 85, same with my stepfathers 84 Corvette, but his is the digital dash. Now that being said, I dont know the year that GM switch to only 85mph speedometers. It had to be 79 or 80. A room mate of mine in college had a 78 Camaro with a 130mph speedo in it. hope this helps
The Corvette went to 85 mph gauge in 1980. The 79 Corvette went to 140. The previous years it went to 160.
11-17-2016, 01:13 PM
