http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7933398752

ok, so my 1985 v8 automatic firebird has the dreaded 85 mph cable driven speedo, and i wanna swap to this (seems to be rare) 140 cable driven speedo (rare cuz itz a cable driven 140).

but, it doesnt seem to match exactly what i have.
(sorry no pic).
my tachometer goes to 6000 and this one goes to 8000, while my tachometer goes all the way around, and this one stops at 2/3 way.

also, the locations of the oil, water, batery, and gas are different.
my third pod from the left has battery on top and OIL on the bottom (not gas as shown here), and 4th pod from the left (last one) has gas on top and water on the bottom).
to be more specific the gas and oil gauges are switched.

will, this 140 mph speedo and gauge cluster even fit in my car?
i've already taken out my cluster a few times with no problems so i know how to swap them, but if i replace it will my oil show the gas gauge and vice versa, or will it just WORK CORRECTLY?

this firebird gauge cluster is the only one on ebay i've seen that is cable driven like mine ..... i would prefer the 120 mph ones though.
plus, this ones pricey compared to others i've seen

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...934440482&rd=1

aha, here is what mine looks like...
note the diferent tach and oil and gas are in oppsoite locations

 

thats a km/hour set not miles an hour . look close and you can see.

 

Bingo. Looks exactly like to one from my 86 'bird. Our Canadian ones had the km/h on the outside and the mph inside. It's exactly the same as what you have.

 

so will these hook up in early 3rd gen firebirds? I'm interested as well. How will the gauges work since they are opposite to the originals?

 

oh, and it turns out to be elctric too.
hmmm, well im definately not getting that one then.

but i saw a few others on ebay i might just be able to get... but same problem.. oil and gas gauges are switched.

 

If you get an 85-newer cluster, you'll need to 're-pin' the wiring at the connectors.
An 85 cluster would be the easiest overall swap, as it is still cable-driven. The 86 and 87 clusters <i>with gauges</i> and the 88-up were all electrically driven; the 86 and 87 ones <i>without</i> gauges still used a cable.
If you decide to upgrade to the electric unit, this will help you http://www.hioutput.com/tech/speedo.html

 

thanx pete, i had already seen that page, i just didnt want all that time and trouble yet. (convert cable to electric)

but, i dont think there will be another choice as i dont think 1985 came with anything other than 85 mph gauges.

well, originally i wanted to just get, white face glow gauges, or reverse glow, but they are only in 120 mph and 145 mph.

i already tried replacing the bulbs with blue bulbs, and a light blue electric wire, looks, good, but not good enough.

instead i think i'll replace the blue bulbs, with super bright leds (4 per bulb) and maybe even design my own white gauges using photoshop and reflective matte paper.

when i do, i'll post a DIY and the final gauges for everyone to use.