Since I'm not driving this car right now, I thought I would finally attempt this swap. I see so many others doing the 4th Gen swap, so I'm hoping this is a little eaiser then that.

As I go, I'll post pictures and try and be as detailed to what I'm doing. For others who want to do this, or for anyone else who might have a better idea and want to tell me to STOP!

I do have some questions before I go much further.

1. Since my car is a Carb, and the 92 Dash I got was F.I. I'm guessing the computers aren't the same. I found the computer on mine, and see the harnesses that plug into it. Also found the computer on the 92 dash. What do I need to do (rewire ect) to make this work on mine?

2. Next question is the heater box, I want to replace the old cable driven one, to the newer vacuum type. That way I can use the 92 controls, and everything will match. Plus all the vents will work too. How hard is it to swap out the heaterbox?

3. I guess my last question is for anyone who's either done this swap or the 4th Gen swap. When I pull the dash off the car, are most of the wires 'plugs' or will I have to cut wires? Does anyone have a color chart for an 84 and 90-92?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Here are some pics so far.

The 84 Dash

 

Here is 84 Center Console Removed

 

Here is a pic of the 84 computer.

 

All '92 are not fuel injected. I have a TBI which is probably closer to Carbed than FI.

Sounds like fun. Keep us posted. Lot's of pics too.

 

Keep us posted. Plz take as many pics as possible because i am going to do this myself soon.

 

That I did not know!
Shoot how do I tell what model my dash came out of? Or does it even matter?

 

Hey does anyone know what parts I need for the heater box

I posted a question in this thread
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...en-ac-non.html

but I don't know what the second part is I need. There is an auction that ends tomorrow on a A/C equiped heater box. But I don't have an A/C model in mine.

Whatever the second piece is I need, should I try and get this one. Or should I wait until I find a non A/C model? I have a non A/C control too, not even sure if that would hook up to this model.

Thanks
Chris.

 

Well almost got the 84 dash out.

Really only one harness left, I think it's called c100.

Here's a pic. How does this come apart?

 

Well got the c-100 connector off and the dash is out of the car.

Now looking at the diverter box I have in the car. Wish I had the vacume type to start with, and I can start putting the new dash in.

Anyone have a 90-92 NON A/C box for sale? I've been searching everywhere, and not having much luck.

Next question how does the old one come out?

 

OK,
Old Dash is out!

 

Trying to compare the old dash and the new dash.

The new dash has alot more wires. Some are cut, and I don't know where they go yet.

Another thing with this new dash, Looks like the wiring that goes along the floor to the back is all part of the dash. No way to just unhook it, and use my old one. The old one, just unplugged. but this new one has a ton more wires too.

Anyone know where the cut wires sticking out the end go? brake lights? I see the rear defroster connector so brake/turn lights are the only thing I can think of.

 

Here is another wire that is coming out of the new dash, that my old one didn't have.

Not sure what that is suppose to plug into.


Also on my old dash, the wires that went to illuminate the console and also the rear hatch pop switch went down the center hump.

I think on this new dash, the wires for these go along the door sill, and under the seat up. At least I'm hoping they do, because I"m not seeing them. And there is an extra bulbs socket coming out of the door sill wire mess about half way up that would about reach the center console.

 

My next question is for wiring up the cluster, this might even go for the 4th gen swap people.

Where are you splicing your wires. How are you doing it?

All the wires for the cluster come in through c100 right? Are you somehow pulling the pins out, and rearranging them to whatever the newer dash config is?

Or are you cutting the wires up behind the cluster and splicing them to make them work?

Which is easier?

 

Well, not much of an update this weekend.

I've decided to go ahead and replace the carpet while I'm doing all this.
So today, out with the old carpet.

I have my heaterbox diverter on the way (thanks Lawrence aka 82 Iron Duke!!)

So once I have that, I'll be able to start making some progress on this dash swap.

 

Just a little update.

Got the dash installed, and using some diagrams for C100 for both an 85 and 91 I was able to move pins around on the 91 dash, to match the bulkhead connector on the 84.

Yesterday I figured out that the VATS system in the 91 dash was what was causing the starter to not turn over. So I bypassed that, and it turned right over and started right up.

At first glance, the voltage and coolant gages were working fine. The tach, oil and fuel gages don't seem to be working.

I found that one of the pins for the cluster that control the tach and oil, needed to be grounded. Ran a temp ground and those gages started working, along with the illumination circuit.

So need to figure out why that pin isn't grounded the way it's suppose to be.

Now does anyone know where the wire for the fuel gage come from in the 84? I need to track it down, and see if it's connecting to right pin in the cluster. Right now, the fuel gage is pegged at full. I ran a resistance on that pin, and I get OL. or open. So I'm having a feeling the pin from the 91 harness is not hooked to the wire from the car that controls the gage. So if I can find where it enters the car, I could hook that up.

Also does anyone know why the warning chime wouldn't be working (when you leave your headlights one ect) I've checked G200, and it appears to be grounded OK. So don't think it's that.

Also need to find what wire controls the 'service engine soon' light. All the warning lights are suppose to turn on, when the key is turn right? right now, they are all dark. Grounding again? Anyone have any ideas?

Once I get a little further I'll post some more pics.

 

The best to way to find your wires and what does what is to take the connector plug it into your old cluster and trace the copper trails with your finger. Fuel is usually pink

 

Well found the fuel gage wire, just for anyone who want to know on an 84 where it comes in.

Look right next to the drivers side tail light. There is a connector there with a bunch of wires. The very first pink wire, that's the one!

I connected that, to the purple wire from the dash and woohoo!! It worked.


So now the only thing I need to get to to work on the cluster is the SES light doesn't seem to light for some reason (no self test when key turned on), speedometer (just need to buy the right gear) and the warning alarms don't work (not sure why this doesn't work yet).

Once I get those 3 working, I can really start getting this car back together again.

 

another view.

 

Today was a productive day,

Got a lot of stuff working.

All the stuff in the back is working again (taillights, turn signals, defroster ect).
Now just need to get that speedo gear, and that's ready to install. Wire is ran for it already.

Looks like I'm going to be able to get this car back in the garage before winter afterall!

 

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Im scared to put the 86 trans am dash into my car now!!!!!!!!!

 

That's looking great!!!

 

This really hasn't been too hard, it's mostly just getting the diagrams for the harnesses and stuff. When I started this, I wanted to cut as little wires as possible. So having the C-100 and C-207 diagrams really helped in this. Just moving some pins around, and you're good to go.

I you have A/C in your bird, you already have the vacuum setup for the heater, so you won't have to even worry about all that stuff.

Plus with all the people on forums like this, who have access to those resources really help. I would never have attempted this, if there was no internet.

 

Hey im buying a 91 dash tomorrow and attempting to put it into my 87 camaro...i was wondering if you can send me everything i need like the diagrams and stuff so i can install it. Was there a lot of cutting involved and trimming?
and also, do u have to buy a newer console or can u use the the original one?


Any help would really be appreciated ive been very interested in doing this and ever since i have been following ur threat it has made me relize that i have to do it cause that looks amazing.

Thanks!

 

honestly, for a more modern look, i'd definately do the 4th gen upgrade.

 

Since when was TBI not considered electronic fuel injection? Far as I know the last carb 3rd gen was in 87? After that they were all fuel injected whether it be TBI or TPI.

 

i would love to do the 4th gen dash upgrade too but isnt that even harder to try to get to fit? ive never done something like this before so its going to be a big job i cant wait to do it though...does the 4th gen dash fit as well as the 91-92 dash fits?

 

the 4th Gen dashes from what I heard, don't fit right at the ends, there is a gap. Plus you have to trim the dash pad to make it fit right too I think.

Not sure about the actual wiring, if it's any harder or not??

But I actually like the cluster out of the 90-92 style, and that's why I went with it.

Once I get everything installed, I'll be doing the LED retro on it and all the interior lights.

 

oh, email sent with everything I had.

If you need any help, just send me an email!

 

Thanks!

i cant wait for the project to begin it should be fun

 

you made a good decision not to put in a 4th gen dash. the 4th gen interior is so boring, it looks like something out of a minivan in my opinion

good work dude!

 

Thanks!
I've always liked these 90-92 clusters, and can't wait til I get everything working.

The only thing I haven't gotten to work in the cluster is the SES light. I posted in the electronics section but havne't gotten any responses

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-question.html

basically, I'm wondering if how the light is suppose to be triggered? If there is a difference in how they work in 84 and 91?

I seem to be geting a 12V signal on the brn/wht wire that comes from the cluster and hooks to the bulb?

Which to me doesn't make any sense? Seems like I should only have 12v going up there if the wht/green wire coming off the ECM has it. Which is not the case.

Anyone have any ideas why I have the 12V on the brn/wht wire?
Is it suppose to be that way, and when the ECM detects something wrong, it ground the white/grn wire and completes the circuit and lights the bulb?

This one is really stumping me.

 

Since I have to bypass the VATS for the starter, would this cause it maybe?

Is there anything else in the dash, that the VATS could be triggering the light to light?

 

If you dont have vats in your car then just take the bulb out of your cluster there is no need for the security light.

 

It's not the security light, it's the Service Engine Soon light.

I want to try and get that to work right, but so far I either get it to light up all the time, or not at all.

It should come on for a few seconds when the key is on, and then shut off after the engine is started.

I think there is some difference between the years, on how that light is suppose to be triggered. Anyone with a 84, wanna check what voltage you have on c207 on the wht/grn wire?

 

Just a little update.

Got the dash pretty much done, I installed the lower dash pieces today. Looks much better with everything all in place.

I've also begun the upgrading of the doors. I got all the factory wiring for the power accessories (mirrors, windows, and locks)

Over the weekend I removed the old manual window regulator and installed the power regulator. What a pain it is, to get these in/out!!! Going to have to get the windows re tinted since I scratched it. Oh well, it's worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UNebx_Cncw

Next going to bolt of the power mirrors I got, and also hook up the lock actuators.

I'm so glad I started this project, so far besides a few little problems here and there. Everything has been going pretty smoothly. I'm really looking forward to getting the interior done!

 

looks amazing!
I cant wait till mine is finished....How do you like the new dash, way better then the earlier style?

 

Ya it's way better then what I had.

The gages are much easier to see at night, since they are backlit. Unlike the old ones, where the light sorta just went around the gages.

I also like having more vents too.

 

No real interior updates, but one small exterior.

While the car has been sitting in the garage with the hood up. I've noticed that lip where the wiper arms are, how dull and dirty it was.

So I took the wiper arms off, sanded them and painted them. Also sanded and painted that lip with a glossy black. Removed that plastic screen, and gave it a coat of glossy black of fusion paint Everything Looks so clean now!!!

Now just need to replace those old rusty wipers!! (lol)

 

Well here is the latest update!

I got my new carpet installed today! I got it from http://www.iroczone.com/jim/Carpet/carpet.htm
and it looks great!

I went with the 'Graphite' color, and it's exactly the color I was hoping for.
I also carpeted the center console today too, I used some carpet I had left over from another project and it's really close to the floor carpet. So I'm happy with the results!



So next on my list is getting all the plastic painted/dyed a dark charcoal to match and get that installed too!

 

Starting to get fun now!!!

Applied some sound deadener in the back, never realized how many little curves there were back there till I did this!!

For anyone who wants a cheap and easy to get deadener. Got to Lowes, and in the roofing isle they have stuff called 'Peel and Seal'. It's also identical to dynamat. Really easy to work with too, just get it warm and it gets sticky!!!!

Also today my knukonceptz wire and RCA's came so ran all those too.

Tomorrow, the rest of the carpet I needed for the center console is suppose to get here. So I'll put that on, and then install the console permanently an get the heater controls mounted.

It's all starting to come together now!!!

 

Looking good!
*subscribe*

 

Here is the completed console, all reinstalled.


Also mounted the switches for the power windows (need to get some with the yellow lettering still)



Next going to get some of that SEM plastic paint, and work on making all the plastic a dark charcoal too. Then after that, I think I'll redo the headliner. Then after that, not sure yet

 

Actually, I have a 92' Camaro RS 305 that has a carb. If i had a pic I would post it.

 

cdoyle,
did u have to modify any of the mounting points for the dash? i've heard that the lower mounting points are different. I am going to start this same swap in a few weeks...thought I'd get a head start on the questions for it.....

 

If I remember right, the newer dash the tab that goes over the mounting point. The hole for where the bolt goes, was too far forward. So I just drilled a new hole in the tab. Then secured it into the mounting point.

The 2 upper ones on the driver and passenger side didn't line up at all, but all the all the other ones did. So I didn't worry about those 2, since the dash is also held up by the bolts on the steering column. It's pretty secure and not going anywhere.

What year is yours? If yours is newer then mine, you might not even have that problem.

 

looks good

 

Mine's an '89 and the dash is a '92.

 

OK, here is the latest.

I redid my headliner, went down to Joanne Fabrics and got 3 yards of the grey for $16!

Never did a headliner before, so wasn't sure how it would turn out. But I think it turned out pretty good. No wrinkles around the curves so that makes me happy!!

Also had enough left over to do the speaker covers in the rear too.

I'm wondering tho, that after I change all the trim pieces from blue to dark charcoal that it might stick out too much. So I might dye it a darker grey, not sure yet.

 

im a purist and would never do this espcially to an 82 83 84 but at least youre stickign with it and actually completing it, unlike alot of other ppl, so kudos to you

also btw TBI is fuel injection

and 88 was the last year for carb

caprices, impalas and F bodies

etc


so...


noobs...

do you still have any of the smaller 84 dash parts left ? pics ?


pm me ?

thanks


good luck

 

Man...it's sure looking good. I don't think you will have to dye it at all. There are a lot of production cars where the headliner is light gray and the trim and the carpet is dark gray.....