87mtl_bird

Hi Guys,

I have an 87 Firebrid with a swapped 350 4 barrel.. here is my question

I am new to the site and have been looking around specifically for the 4th gen dash conversions. Now maybe I haven't been able to find it yet but I was wondering since I am carbed how I can make the 4th gen cluster work. Now from reading I understand that there is one connector for the 4th Gen cluster vs. 2 for the 3rd gen. From what I can understand to make the 4th gen cluster work you must re pin the 4th connector from both of the 3rd gen connectors.... I am just curious what extra steps I need to take to get my speedo working. I'm assuming I need to connect my speedo cable to the cluster... but I am wondering if there is anything additional I must do for this to work....

Thanks

Mike

The_Wraith

Carbed or FI does not matter. You run into an extra snag to deal with if you have a cable driven speedo ) 82-85 for birds and 82-89 for maro's

87mtl_bird

Thanks for the info, now my 350 in my 87 bird is out of a 86 maro... So you were saying the extra snag, how exactly will I be able to get around this problem? Can I connect the speedo cable to the 4th gen cluster? Or what do I need to do to be able to make the 4th gen cluster work?

Thanks

The_Wraith

The motor is not going to be a problem. The VSS speedo gear is on the tranny. So as long as you used the bird tranny you wont have any problems. If you used the 86 camaro trans the speedo in your bird wont be working right now. If your bird speedo is working you wont have any issues with the 4thgen speedo because the bird is electric and not cable driven. You can swap VSS units from cable to electronic you just need to switch them and plug the electric connector from your bird harness in.

87mtl_bird

Ok well I used the tranny from the 86 maro... Ok so now for the 4th gen to work if I understand correctly I need to swap the VSS from cable to electric and then re pin the 4th gen connector from the 2 3rd gen connectors and I'm good to go?

I'm just collecting info right now because my buddy will be helping me to do all of this, he's a mechanic... but he just wanted me to get as much info on doing the 4th gen swap so it will go a seemless as possible... any other info you have that you think might be usefull to me would be welcomed

Thanks for all your help man, it is appreciated

Mike

The_Wraith

Ok so I take it your bird speedo is not working right now? So yes all you need is to swap out the VSS from the bird tranny and put it into your new camaro tranny. The plug should still be on your harness unless you cut it off. Yes you have to cut both your thirdgen plugs and wire them into the 4thgen plug as per diagram.

87mtl_bird

No the bird speedo isn't working. Ok now my bird had a v6...would the vss be different on the tranny for the 2.8 vs. a 5.0l or 5.7? I don't have the bird tranny anymore so I guess i can just find the right vss at a parts store or online?

The_Wraith

Well the 2.8 will have the plug on your harness. I doubt you could get a VSS from a parts store but maybe. I would check on here or ebay. Better yet get one from a scrap yard. Any 700R4 should do.