I know this question has been asked and answered to a certain degree, but I need some very basic information about the swap.

First; How much alteration (Hacking) has to be done to make the switch? In detail...please....

Second; I really want the 00-02 console. Has anyone made the swap using this console?

Anyone that has actually made this swap please respond, with pictures if possible. I had an idiot at the parts yard tell me it couldn't be done, and we all know better than that!!!!!!!

86 Trans Am stock (For Now)

 

Well...since you've said you know it's been answered before I'll assume you've used the "SEARCH" button. I'll try to answer your questions in detail.

First; How much alteration (Hacking) has to be done to make the switch? In detail...please....

You need to relocate your window switches and/or mirror switch. Other than that, I made a small notch in the console on the forward side of the shifter hole so that my Shifter Cable would fit smoother. Most have not had to make this notch though. I also had to move my shifter over 1/2 an inch. All this involves is getting someone else to hold the shifter in the place you want it and you taking the bolts that come in the shifter and drilling them somewhere else. The front of the console also has two prongs (I'll call them that) made out of plastic. These should be cut off (I used a portaband).

Second; I really want the 00-02 console. Has anyone made the swap using this console?

I'm unsure of the exact year of the console I have...but there are a few different styles. There is the 93-96 camaro console, the 93-96 firebird console, the 97+ camaro console, and the 97+ firebird console. The 93-96 camaro console will NOT fit. The 93-96 firebird console WILL fit. The 97+ firebird and 97+ camaro consoles are the same console (but different colors) and will fit with a little more modification. The console I have is the 97+ style (was grey but now is black) and fits nicely. These swaps are much easier in firebirds than in camaros, but it can be done if you own a camaro. Do some more searching and you'll find some good threads on it. I would recommend Nosaint's site and Firebreatha's site...they both show some "how-to"s of putting in the console.

Anyone that has actually made this swap please respond, with pictures if possible. I had an idiot at the parts yard tell me it couldn't be done, and we all know better than that!!!!!!!

He's not an idiot, just misinformed. It can be done. And I sure wish "we all know better than that!!!!!!"...fourth gen console/seats is the #1 question asked on the boards. I kinda feel sorry for the fourth gen guys when they can't find used seats and consoles...it's all our fault.

 

Look here for a quick tutorial www.nosaint.ca/

 

Never mind I guess his website has changes. His name is nosaint. Look him up and on his website he has some information.

 

97-02 consoles should be the same.
On the 85-92 Firebirds, the console is a direct bolt in. 2 bolts to be exact. I've installed 2 of them into Firebirds.

 

My page should be back up soon, damm ISP got bought out and then they wacked me......

 

My thanks to all of you that responded. NoSaint, do you have your swap documented with photos? If so please email it to me whenever you have time. Thanks again, you guys are great.

P.S. 3.1 Eyecandy, the guy really was an idiot, because someone that is misinformed will at least listen to what someone is saying.... Thanks again......

86 Trans Am stock (For Now)

 

As the owner of third and fourth gen birds. I will start out by saying "keep your third gen all third gen" But in the relative likelihood that you change to a fourth gen console, I strongly recommend the later (97+) style. The console opens from the side like the third gen f-birds. This is much nicer than the open from the back style. It is almost impossible to look inside without twisting yourself like a pretzel with the older console. P.S. the cupholders are a joke, don't kid yourself Good luck!!

 

Swap was a piece of cake. I used the 1st generation style(4th gen) center console. Went it very nice w/no mods--other then the window a mirror switches(which I haven't mounted permanently yet ). There is a lonmg piece that-when mounted-slides under the radio pod, I didn't have to cut it off--actually helped to center it.

 

Another angle.

 

I do have several install with pics on my page which should be back up soon.

The conversion is so easy your girlfriend could do it. Cut off the front tab and bolt in the two bolts in the console. done

 

I have to say to everyone in this thread that they are only an exact bolt on if you use the MANUAL console.

The hole for the manual shift plate is further forward than the automatic. I had to move my shifter back 4" (well maybe 2 or three) to make the automatic version fit. I also had to do some other cutting. See https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=113188 for more detail. Also there is no difference, other then the location of the traction controls switch, between a 98+ Camaro and a 98+ Firebird console in either the manual or automatic versions. I have a 99 camaro and used a 01 Firebird console in my 86.

GP

 

The manual shifter plate would be fine. Only drawback is not having an indicator, which is not a problem.....Another question is, if you switch over to an aftermarket shifter, i.e. Hurst or B&M, how much of a pita would that be?

86 Trans Am stock (For Now)

 

No idea. It would depend on how tall it is. I think any shifter that had was shorter by 2" from the bottom pivot point to the top of wherever the handle is would work with the A4 shifter plate. I think you'd lose the nuetral safety switch though.

GP

 

I installed a fourth gen '00 manual console into my '88; I've got a Megashifter, and it required some coaxing to get it to fit right. Of course, by coaxing I mean "dremel". You also have to get a custom boot made because the stocker will no longer fit.

I've got pix, I just don't have them up on my site yet. Sometime next week.

S.

 

Thanks again....I'll be looking for those pictures. This has definatly got my attention, I think this swap will really make an impact on the interior.........

86 Trans Am stock (For Now)

 

pics are in the link in my sig

i still need to mount my pod, but the console holds is stuggly in its place for now.