CALLING ALL FIREBIRD OWNERS!!

We are looking into getting some replacement Firebird gauges built that match the OEM design and layout. Take a second and leave some feedback on these two design choices.

In one picture you will see the grid design that came in the 1985-1992 Firebirds. I have done my best to make the grid pattern similar in size and color as the original grid. The yellow warning zones on the factory gauges have a different graphic that what is shown. I am working on having this match as well. You will also see that one gauge on the lower right has a border around the labels for the gauges. This was my attempt at making them match the factory warning light cutouts. (These are not the final matching OEM shape yet either.) These will be backlit RED like the OEM gauges.

The all black version is designed to be like the 82-84 Firebird gauges. I have an example show that places the numbers to the outside of the gauges like factory. Unfortunately the length of the stock needle the manufacturer uses kind of covers up the lines of the gauges and looked bad. I made the needles smaller for this mockup. I am not sure if this is a change the manufacturer will be willing to make or not just yet. But I have tried to make the numbers to the inside version look as OEM as possible with the longer needles. These will be backlit WHITE.

I do still need to find a more OEM font choice. This is the default font the manufacturer uses and I will be changing it to match the OEM font as much as possible.

I am trying to use this post to feel out the interest for a product like this. I want your feedback and input on these while they are still being designed so you get a finished product that you love!











On another note..... We may have a lead on some really cool parts to have the GTA Digital Dash reproduced with modern tech/screens. This would be a more expensive option than the gauges pictured here as it would probably use 3 different LCD displays to make a factory style setup and would be very custom... but it could be installed into standard Firebirds that did not come with a digital setup and could have a few new and fun features that the original Digital Dashes did not have. It also would be able to be wired up traditionally or plugged into a Holley, FiTech or Haltech ecu on swapped cars.

 

Hi Bruce, Thank You for reproducing these, and also Thank You for asking for our input. I like the 85 - 92 design, without the fake warning light boundary

 

do you have any red digital gauges in the pipeline?

 

Are you referring to something like the Intellitronix Gauges? If so, not at this moment. With these gauges I am trying to find a good/affordable option for Firebird's to match our Camaro "Restoration Series" gauges already offered.

 

As I am currently trying to get my factory gauges to work after replacing the ECM with a Terminator X on my 89 GTA. My question is will these gauges use factory senders/ inputs or can they be set up to use aftermarket parts? I would like to keep the look of factory gauges, but I really need to get my speedometer working maybe bypassing the factory buffer box if that is my problem. I have a T56 and trying to use an older dakota digital buffer box converter, which is not working.

 

Check their camaro part for more info: https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/199...ument-cluster/

You can see it comes with some sending units, as do most of these aftermarket gauge kits.

 

1) Having a 91 Firebird I do prefer the grid style
2) I do like the fake warning light boarder, it seems to draw your eye more so than the other without the boarder
3) The gauges are meant to be a direct replacement as far as the gauge bezel is concerned or will you be offering a replacement?
4) price would be comparable to your Camaro gauges?
Some stock gauges for reference

 

Any chance of making the clear plastic gauge lens?


Thats impossible to find in nice condition. Seems easy to make since it's more less more less an almost flat rectangle design?

 

@@hawksthirdgen How much interest do you need to get these gauges going?

 

Was just talking to a guy at our local fbody meet. He was asking about aftermarket gauges for our birds. I'd also be interested in them. I'd like to see the digital dash option as well.

 

yes

 

Hard agree, I would buy an affordable repo day one.

 

Hi Bruce, any chance the GTA digital dash is happening?

 

At the moment there isn't enough interest in this project for us to focus on it unfortunately.

 

I like the grid style with the border around the warning lights

 

I need a speedo with at least 220mph indicated

 

If you had an accurate speedometer in the first place, you'd find out you don't.

 

So, if Hawk's sees this and replies, I'm curious... not enough interest from 3rdgen owners, which is kind of par when it comes to big ticket items, so that shouldn't have been a big surprise? Or not enough interest from the manufacturer, as in, too complicated for something else? Or both?

I ask, because I suspected right away who the manufacturer is, because I've been reviewing their products for about a year to create a custom dash for my Formula, and the products for this project look like the same manufacturer, but I didn't say who I think it is because I didn't want to rain on your parade or interfere with your project.

But I've recently finalized my custom instrumentation, and I contacted them, and through a 3-page email exchange, they didn't seem interested, at least, "not at this time." Apparently, "it's too complicated and needs to be simplified," which was disappointing, because their website, and their videos are all very gung-ho about custom work and being able to do anything, which was why I was so excited to work with them. And I love their products too. But I was left with the feeling that, "custom" really means 'minor changes to off-the-shelf designs.'

So that got me wondering, in addition to the lack of interest from 3rdgen owners, if Hawk's might've met with resistance from the manufacturer too?

I've tried not to sound too down on them, because I still hope they'll do it, but I can't wait forever. I'm ready to go on this, right now.

 

Really disappointed these never came out.

 

I totally understand. I do know of some products in the pipe line that are supposed to be coming later this year that should excite you..