i was on ebay and saw some auctions for just the "trim ring" something like this.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7980623181

can u buy an automatic console and just swith these out??will it have the same clearance advantages of a manual console (not having to modify your shifter plate?) thanks in advance. the reason i ask is because i drive an auto 90rs, and can get an auto console for prolly cheaper than ebay (not sure, probably can though) and if i can switch these out it'd be great.

 

yes you can do the swap. That console trim is from a 98+ f-body, just be sure to get a 98+ console and you'll be fine. The 97 and earlier units aren't interchangable...think i bought my black 99 maro console (automatic) for 150....***, i hate myself for that...least halfway hate myself for that.

 

the reason im interested is because at my local junkyard, they have a 98+ firebird w/auto console in mint condition, but i read its a lot harder to swap out an auto console rather than a manual. I read you had to "beat the ****" out of the 3rd gen shift plate til its flat....or somethin like that with an automatic console. But with a manual console u just have to trim it down til it fits (or do you even have to trim the manual consoles) i just lost a bidding on ebay for an auto console, so im back to square 1..............thanks again

 

97-02 consoles are the same and the upper plates are interchangable from auto to manual.

Using the stock 3rd gen shifter with the manual plate requires no modification.

Using a B&M MegaShifter requires beating the shifter bracket on the trans tunnel flat and trimming the manual plate for some clearance, but the shifter still hits the console a little bit.

 

i plan on using my stock shifter, so i'll just be using the 4th gen console w/my shifter.......so the only mod i should be doing is cutting the console down to fit in my car, as well as installing a 3rd gen transam pod (just bolts right up right)???

 

hey, if you need an auto console shift plate for a 98, i have one

i was going to use the auto plate till i decided to go with a manual tranny.. from everything i see on here you can use the auto plate with some modification...

 

im not sure i would need the shift plate....if i was using the automatic console dont i just need the console, and beat my shift plate down flat?or do i need the 4th gen shift plate?im so lost on this, i've done so much searching and i've read several different methods of installing the 4th gen console. can someone tell me what needs to be done to install a 98+ automatic console in a 3rd gen automatic camaro???i need all the help i can get, so anything is appreciated, thanks in advance.....

 

ok... the shift plate im talking about is the plastic upper part that shows what gear you are in... it fits in the console and is swappable with the manual plate... the console from a 98+ is the same regardless of auto or manual, just the plate that goes where your shifter is different... you can opt to make the auto one work with your auto tranny, or just use a manual one for less modding... as for using the auto one, you would have to do some fabbing up and all to fit it in.. i do have a auto upper shift plate and the auto shifter from a 4th gen which i hear clears it much better.. not sure.. will have to compare them tomorrow side by side.

 

here is what mine looked like,
took about 10 minutes to install since I already had a plate made for my window switches to sit in the ashtray.


If you use an Auto plate, the ashtray is in front of the shifter which to me is too far forward for the window switches, but I guess you can always cut slots in the console plate to mount your switches,

here is an auto console I bought cheap,

 

thats exactly what i want, sorry for not specifing....i drive an automatic, i want a manual 4th gen console (i dont care about the gear indicator or *shift plate*) so all i have to do is make a mounting spot for my power window switches/trunk release? how much trimming do i have to do as far as installing the console??im not worried about the window switch/trunk release mounting, i can handle that, what worries me is trimming up the console to get it to fit......the console (manual) just sits over my shifter and all that stuff right?then i just bolt it in?i use my shifter (not the 4th gen shifter) right?thanks for all the help and the pics!!

 

as far as trimming, that is up to you, just start by putting it in there, and then looking to see where you want to trim for a better fit... i didnt have to trim much at all from mine, others did... kinda all in how you want it to fit and look... after you get it how you want it, bolt it in.. the rear bolts will line right up, the front you will have to secure in some way.. i did the dash as well so it tied right into the dash...

 

you wouldn't happen to know how to secure it with out a 4th gen dash would you??you guys are awesome, i've learned a lot of the litle details involved in this swap.thanks again!!!

 

bump.....

 

I use the 2 screws that are in the bottom of the console pocket and the radio pod holds it down in the front.

there are 2 tabs on the front of the console that go under the dash that need to be cut off since our cars don't need them.