Iv'e wanted to buy a new console for my firebird for a while, and a 4th gen swap seems like it's a big project, so i wanna jsut get another 3rd gen one, problem is it seems like i can only find automatic top peices. does anyone know if the auto is the same as the manal if you knock out the shifter part?

 

I also need to do the same thing...does anybody know?

 

Did that with the GTA when we did the T5 swap. We couldn't find a 5 speed console either at the time... I don't have pics here (at school away from home), but I can persuade my father to take some pics of it if you want me to

There is a 5 speed firebird here in Tallahassee in a yard. I dont recall how good of condition the console is in (or if it has power windows/mirrors), but I can go back and check it out if you want me to... just shoot me an email ... MelancholyVGS311@aol.com

4th gen console swap... I thought it was the easiest with a firebird?... matches up with no hassle about stuff not matching up 100%. Of course window switches and stuff I guess.... ah well.


-Bud

 

i read that it really really isn't a direct swap in some treads, and then it was confirmed by TGO, if u read the new administrator postings.

if anyone knows otherwise please say so, but my original question was: Is a auto and a manual 3rd gen console interchangeable? like, is the shifter area removedable?

 

You can't take your old out and just slap the new one in there like you can seats.. no. But it's not that difficult, as long as you find/make a place to put the buttons. *shrug* The side/front cup holder doesn't sit flush, but that's a given just looking at it. The cupholders don't sit 100% flush in the back, but its not bad at all. You have to cut off the tabs in the front so they dont stick out. The shifter sticks up a lot higher... I cut mine 1.5" I think. Other than that I think all of what I did to mine was Camaro specific (adjusting around the firebird pod and stuff). It's not done yet, but

...and... I checked the yard even though you never responded...and the console was cracked a bit...and I just emailed for the pictures of the 3rd gen auto/manual top making. Wasn't even sure if you were still reading the thread b/c you hadn't responded.

-Bud

 

The 4th gen swap isn't hard on a firebird. All you need is some padding under the carpet to fill in a couple of gaps. A drill and a 10 mm socket. I had to move my shifter over just a little to get the console to sit like I wanted. But if you have a manual I don't think that will be a problem. I moved my auto over because the shift cable was hitting the console. If you don't have to move the shifter you don't need a drill.

Other than that you have to decide and then make a location to mount the switches.



I am going to dye my radio pod black to match the console, haven't decided about the gauge area, I may go black on that also. but the rest of the dash is black.

 

really? i never heard of someone dying interior parts another color, i want to do the same with mine, i have swaped out the whole interior to be black, and if i could make it more black i would. Do they make special dye for that?

Thanks guys, you sold me on the 4th gen swap, i really just wanted a new console cause mine has the shifterboot area open, and i got mad one day and ripped out the console cover and now the screw holes are messed up, but i would much rather have the 4th gen console to replace it.

 

Yea for the plastic peices you can use krylon fusion paint its made specifically for plastic the only color that is usable is black however. For the vinyl or fabric you use vinyl&fabric spray dye available at most parts stores. Its not quite as good as the orginal it can and will probably scratch, but its easy to touch up. Yea I love the 4th gen console I don't know how I lived without a cup holder.

OH yea GM discontinued the manual shift plate for the thirdgen

 

ok, so now im looking for a 4th gen center console, i must find a manual one right? or can i get an auto one and buy a boot for it or somthing after taking the auto part out?

 

You'll still need to find a manual version - at least the shift plate, anyway. I've been considering the same swap since I can't find a power manual shift plate for my 91 Formula. Luckily they still made 5 speed manuals for the early 4th Gens (V6 setups). Plus if you ever go to a 6 speed the swap is easy for the console area - just get another shift plate. Good Luck!

- Vern

 

Hey Aviator857 ---

How did you mount the power window and mirror switches? I don't see how to make it work so the switches don't pop out or move around on you...

And where did you put them?

Your setup looks great, I may have to go that route myself.

Have a Great Day!!!


--- Vern

 

This is what it would look like:

 

Took my drimel and a rotory cut bit. And very very carefully cut out the ashtray. I stayed right below the top, cutting the inside of the ashtray out. This when done gives a clean edge. Then took a peice of plastic and cut the holes with a the same cut bit to put the switches in. Then I drilled the 4 holes that hold it on and counter sunk the screws. Mounted it all up. I am going to wrap the plastic insert in black leather when I get some.

 

Hey 67 Camaro 88 ---

That shift plate is exactly wha I want! Did you do the switches on that one? Or are you trying to say something else that I missed?

If that one is for sale, just let me know!!!!!!!

Nice job on the switch mounting, Aviator857! Thanks for the ideas, folks!

 

That pic is of the GTA's old automatic console.... with the automatic stuff taken/cut out... added a 5 speed lower box part and boot. The rest is normal. That was more of an answer to the original question of can an auto plate be converted to a manual one.

If you didn't have the power side mirrors to think about in the middle you could make the ashtray door close back up. That's what I did with my 97+ console. Show off mode... or "stealth" mode heheh. Heck... if I had a Firebird that I was putting a 97+ console in, I would probably just stick the power mirror thing on my door somehow or under the console lid in the compartment or something.


-Bud

 

67 camero 88, is that a 5th gen center console? if so, was that alot harder to fit than a 4th gen. Also where did you find those black switches... only ones i ever see are grey.

 

Also... do any of you guys have one of those black HURST shifter boots on your cars? i thought they look like a cool aftermarket thing as long as you accually have some type of shift kit, but im not sure if it would look good in a 3rd gen the more i think about it. if anyone has seen or has pictures please let us see/know what you think.

 

Regular old v6 (5 speed) 97+ console

The Camaro switches are black. Firebirds have grey in them from what I've noticed (GTA has grey in them at least).


-Bud

 

ok if any of you guys are still reading this thread... It doesn't look to me like you can change an auto console to manual on 4th/5th gens... one more thing i want to clarify is, u guys say the console from 3rd to 4th is really easy on firebirds, is it just as easy with a 5th gen console??? these things are gettin reallly hard to find. especially in manual

 

your right, those 5th gen consoles are impossible to find.

 

Sorry, but there are no 5th Gens.

3rd Gens were built thru 1992, followed by the 4th Gens.

So, 87Formula356, what is your real question about the consoles and for what years/models?

Have a Great Day!

 

reading his post Im sure he ment to say convert it to 4/5 speed not gen

 

sorry guys what i meant by 5th gen was 98 and up, i tend consider them a new generation

 

anyway, the 93-97 console is Different than the 98 and up one, my question is how do they compare with compatablilty?