Alright guys, I have a 90 RS, and I am putting in a TPI system from an 88 IROC, but I would like to put in the 90-92 145 mph gauge cluster. Will this work, and if it doesnt, will I be able to put in an 88 145 mph gauge cluster? Also since I'm switching from TBI to TPI do I have to buy a new throttle cable, kick down cable and cruise control cable for a TPI?

 

The gauge cluster should swap out no problem. Yes, you'll need the throttle, cruise, and TV cables from a TPI car as they're longer than the TBI cables. And of course you'll need the TPI engine harness and ecm to complete your swap.

 

You might need this box for the speedo and 88 ECM to work right,

 

yeah, I have an 88 ecm/ TPI and wiring harness, I bought an IROC from some kid for 100 dollars and it ran perfect, just looked like crap, body was messed up beyond what i could repair. zepher for which combination will I need that box

 

That box is used on the 86-89 Firebirds since they had electric speedos in those years.

Camaros didn't get electric till 90 and in 90 I believe the ECM took the job of that box.
Since you have an 88 ECM and a 90 cluster, I think you will need to use this box to go from the VSS sender to the ECM and to the speedo, but I am not 100% positive.

 

It's the little but important details that'll drive you crazy when performing such a swap huh? In addition to the speedo issue, the other thing you'll probably have to contend with is what to do about the vats(vehicle anti theft system). Your 90 should have vats, whereas 88 didn't. 89 was the first year vats was used. There's a couple of ways to deal with this. You can either obtain a stock 89 tpi prom to run in your ecm, or you can get a custom chip that has the vats deleted from the programming. Just another thing you need to consider.

 

VATS won't be an issue if he runs the 88 prom in the 88 ECM.
His car is equipped with VATS already, so if he did have an 89+ TPI ECM % prom, he wouldn't have any issues with it.

 

90 RS's already have that box for the TBI puter.

Kat

 

yeah alot of little things are driving me crazy, the cars are so much the same yet so different, hooking up the wiring harness looks like its gonna be a bit of a headache, but besides that now all I have left is actually putting the TPI manifold on the engine, hook up all the hoses, put ina different fuel pump...and wait on my valve covers.......oh and I have to get the sensor thats on the bottom right of the block and the sensor that sits right above the oil filter.....I got the oil pressure switch one and the threads were to big and didnt go into the 350's block, and as for the coolant temp switch, autozone couldnt find it, then again I had some idiot helping me so I'm not sure what to do with that situation

 

Um...my '88 has VATS...

 

I read in a book that 88's had VATS, but my 88 Formula and my friends 88 GTA doesn't have VATS.
I wonder if maybe you have a late model 88 with an 89 prom in it.
Do you know the build date on your car?

 

Intersting question. How would I find that out?

 

I think the Vin decoder in the tech section will tell you.

 

Nope, but the production sequence is 229474 if that helps.

 

Yeah this 88 does not have vats, but this car has kind of surprised me.....it used to be white I found out....and also, I find it strange that the valve covers are not center bolt valve covers...and the kid who had it before me said it felt like it had more power than it shoudl have....somewhat of a mystery I guess

 

You know, I've been wondering what the hell that was for.

 

I guess I should've been more specific. From what I've heard, it was available in 88 and I think maybe even 87 as the vettes already all got vats in those years, but it didn't become a standard option on the camaros until 89. Of course, hindsight's always 20/20. Vats is such a PITA, I couldn't imagine anyone ordering it on purpose if they knew then what they know now!