Anyone know how hard it would be to swap in a 4thgen's door panels,dash,and center console into a 3rdgen???Anyone have that website to where that guy swapped interiors in his Camaro?

------------------
Chaotic Firehawk can be found wondering NEThirdgen.org and 3rdgen.org

"A musclecar, by definition, is a powerful and sporty vehicle that must be able to spin its tires at will. The Firebird Trans Am is capable of laying down twin black streaks of rubber several hundred feet long. We wanted to be sure it could, so we did it a half dozen times in the name of automotive science."-MotorTrend

 

Chaotic:

All I know is that the door panels and the center console go into our thirdgens with a few minor cuts and adjustments provided its going from a Camaro to a Cmaro or from a Bird to another Bird.

-Max

 

Uhhhhh , the door panels are a nightmare I gave up trying to make them work , way to much fab work .

 

chaotic, is your car a firehawk? if so, don't mess up a classic.

------------------
91 rs, convertible, K&N, Edelbrock open element cleaner, 3.73, B&M mega-shifter, goodmark cowl-induction hood,tinted windows,MacEwen Overlays
Coming soon......"Custom" non-red material.

 

Seats are a cake walk.. If someone would do it for me I would go all out for it, but it just seems like to much work.. This would be a cool company to start.. Fabb your thirdgen into 4th den technology.

 

I'm putting a 98 T/A interior into a 91 GTA. I have that guys website and pictures of the interior, I'll post them when I get off of work.

------------------
www.TransAmGTA.com THE 3rdgen Firebird Site!
1992 GTA (226 made), 1 of only 18 "Dk. Jade Met." 92 GTA's, My Window Sticker, LB9, 700R4 4-Speed, T-Tops, Grey Leather, every available option except G92, J65 and U1A.
Current Mods/Upgrades: 80 Series Dual Outlet Flowmaster, TPIS Air Foil, K&N Air Filter, and Mobil 1.
Future Mods/Upgrades: None but a complete restoration.
Best Track Time: 14.6sec@96.6mph

"If it ain't broke, fix it til it is!"
Webmaster www.TransAmGTA.com
My 3rdGen Firebird Message Board!

[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited May 24, 2001).]

 

chaotic, do you have an actual firehawk? If so, don't screw with a classic.

------------------
91 rs, convertible, K&N, Edelbrock open element cleaner, 3.73, B&M mega-shifter, goodmark cowl-induction hood,tinted windows,MacEwen Overlays
Coming soon......"Custom" non-red material.

 

Same goes for the 92 GTA. What the hell are you thinking...?

 

yeah don't do it... That way when I get it done in my camaro it won't be like "so what, everyone is doing that"

 

Guys, he does not have an actual Firehawk and dude, I said a 1991 GTA, not my 1992.

Anyway, here's the guys website:
http://home.c2i.net/heggestad/camaro/Camaropage.html

He doesn't have the good pictures on his site and I freakin lost them like a dumbass Sorry man. Could someone please repost them....

 

I had 'em but I can't find 'em no more either. Prolly lost them when I reformatted my computer. I still aint seen anyone talk about the swap a whole lot, just post pics. I was wondering besides what we want to swap (dash, door panels, console, seats) what else has to be changed for it to all work?

And around heree most of the time the junkyards just fix wrecked 4th gens and sell 'em, how much for the dash, panels, and console? anyone know?

 

I wish I could have a Firehawk

------------------
Chaotic Firehawk can be found wondering NEThirdgen.org and 3rdgen.org

"A musclecar, by definition, is a powerful and sporty vehicle that must be able to spin its tires at will. The Firebird Trans Am is capable of laying down twin black streaks of rubber several hundred feet long. We wanted to be sure it could, so we did it a half dozen times in the name of automotive science."-MotorTrend

 

The pics of the outside are cool, but I really want pictures of the interior completed. I have the interior of my '86 IROC out right now, and plan on installing 4thgen black leather WS6 seats/ A dash and console woul be great, the carpet and all in being replaced as well. Now I need to wonder what a red IROC interior with '97 console, dash, and black leather seats would look like.

The dash guage wiring must be alot of work for a thirdgen keeping the factory harness...pics would be great. Does the dash require cutting? How hard is it to mount? Steering wheel? Column? guages? 6 speed console? somebody???

I can't make up my mind if I want to replace the dash or replace the center console and stuff. I'm thinking of red/black leather interior with a '97+ Camaro dash, console, and door panels, or a factory interior with black leather and Autometer gages in the dash and under the center A/C vents and a-pillar. I'm converting to a six speed so my 145 mechnical speedo has to go. The pics would probably help me decide. Of course, everything else on the car is 4thgen except the motor, so maybe an ABS conversion is in order...



[This message has been edited by dhirocz (edited May 26, 2001).]

 

Here are the pics you guys are looking for!







Not my car, but sure wish it was! I plan on attempting this swap when I get my engone comes out for replacement.

 

Firehawks began in 1992. Only 25 were ever produced. If you DID have a firehawk and you were modifying it i'd personally kick your ascott

------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

Firehawks began in 1991,they made 6 of them

 

no way, thats crazy

------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

besides people who have done this... how much does it cost? i dont want to put a dash and all in, if i want that look/feel of a fourth gen, then ill buy one.. just speaking of seats, how much can they be had? or how much is a good price?

 

The only way your gonna do this right is to buy a entire wrecked 4th gen , there is so much your gonna need to do this you may as well have the whole car . Take the engine , heater core , A/C box , wiring ...everything . And then hope u dont have a rattle trap once its all installed , I can't see how that wouldnt be a problem .

 

I replied to the same topic a while back - do a search for it to see it all, but in essence:
I did a similar swap, except on a different car, where I went from a "1st gen" to a "3rd gen" full interior/engine/trans/dash/wiring harness... and as mentioned above, FORGET to buy the parts you think you need - buy a full parts car!!


Ken

------------------
Bright red 86 Iroc-Z Choo Choo Customs Convertible
17x9.5 TT II's w/ 275/40x17's, BMR stb, Lakewood APR, Jamex 1.5" Lowering Springs
ChevyKen's Cars (ALL new!!)

Administrator @ ChevyWorld.net (Now in a BRAND NEW Design)

 

maby i mis-stated question, how much is a good price(have you guys paid) for just the front and rear seats? i meant to say that simply.. i dont want the whole thing, justthe seats

------------------

• 83 Z28-- not a pretty site to look at, 200k miles and im sure it was treated like a rental car every day of its sad life(before i got it).. sold, thank the lord
• 74 Z28-- 383/400, green on black. pretty clean. FOR SALE!!!

 

OMG!!! That looks totally kick-a$$!!! Who's car is that? How was the dash wiring done? 3rd or 4thgen carpet? A/C control head? Whoever it is, let me know!!!

What do you guys think about that with black leather on a red interior? Maybe I should find a wrecked 4thgen...time I got, what I don't got is some info...

 

Yeah I would love to do that to my car. How hard is the dash to do? does everything line up like it SHOULD so I dont break anything with anger? I know it would take some time but damn that looks SWEET.

------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

I just question if it's real? photoshop work is done very easily now days; and out of the thousands of posts all over various boards no one has ever claimed to own that vehicle or even see it in person...........wish someone who knew something would tell us!

 

I have an issue of Camaro Performers and they had a camaro with the nickname 73/93 camaro,it was a 73 camaro with a 4th gen interior and drivetrain,it was sweet,i love everything about the 4th gen cars except for the bodies,i think the 3rd gen styling was alot better and doesn't look like an oversized cavalier or geo storm,lol.

------------------
www.rearman.com/camarokid.htm

If it aint a V-8 that $hit aint fast!,unless its a GN,lol!

305 tpi,700r-4 with shift kit,My mods are minimal,just a bunch of little $hit.Anyone know where to get underdrive pulleys for a v-belt set up?

 

So does anyone know if the entire front section (dash and all) would line up with the pre-existing screws and mounting hardware? What all would I need to change, and how much would all that crap cost me?

------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

Its real. I have spoken with the owner via email a couple fo times. He told em he would send pictures of brackets and a few other things, but I havent gotten them yet. He also told me that the door panel needed a bit of trimming in the rear, btu the rest went in pretty smoothly. One major thing that needed some fabrication work was the heaterbox for the AC. The whole in the firewall needs to be cut a little bit bigger to accept it. That is all I know. I will try contacting him again soon.

 

It would be great if he could write up a tech article on this, and include pictures... that would be of great help! I'd love to get one of those in my interior! Keep us posted!

 

actually that 73/93 was a 93 camaro that the owner dropped a 73 body on. im pretty sure he speant way to much to do it but it was badaz. i couldda done without the bright az pink color tho

------------------
1979 L-82 Beefed up Corvette. Bright-orange with orange pearl.
end of summer: NOS!! im thinkin 250 shot. (already have a full race engine.)
god i love this car.

1985 WS6 Trans AM T-tops
bone stock sloth of an engine on its last leg(LG4 w/ 172,000mi)
T-5 tranny. thank god, i couldnt stand an LG4 auto.
Plans for an LT1,
dual flowmaster exaust,
& a pounding stereo.
but its gotta wait for my Vette to be a badarse before it will be.

 

There is also a guy who did the swap in Houston. He owns a body shop. He took to wrecked thirdgen camaros and made one car. Then he decided to make it a T-top, then into a convertable. He also has a 4th gen dash and monte carlo seats and headlights. It was in a Super Chevy article. I put it in my photo album, so I will try to post it. It's pretty bad @ss , check it out.

For all of those Houston people interested, the shop is "Lane's Hi-Tech Collision Repair"



Later,
Jesse

*****EDIT*****
OK, so it doesn't look like it is gonna show up. If somebody else wants to try to post it, then go for it. It is in the first link, then under the "Da Car" album. You can actually read the full article there if you want to.
**************

------------------
85 Z28, 305 TPI A4
pretty stock with a few toys
15.2@91mph
http://photos.yahoo.com/j_hougnon

http://screamindeamin.cz28.com/images/jesse/


[This message has been edited by oldblueZ (edited May 29, 2001).]

 

Im curious about the door panels myself. I have access to 4thgen panels and would like to hear what someone else had to do to make it work...right. Its obviously been done...

------------------
91 Z28 305 TPI
Plans for 383...
Jet-coated TES headers, Flowmaster cat-back,
SLP cam, Cloyes double roller timing chain, TPIS shocks/struts, TPIS STB, adj. fuel press. regulator, 170 stat, B&M shift kit, BMR 1.5" springs, Fastchip custom chip, gutted air box/ ram air from fog light intake, 1LE rear w/ 3.23 gears, 2" cowl hood, Hurst dual gate shifter, Mac Ewen white face overlays

150 MPH without law
enforcement on your
A$$? Welcome to Europe.

3rdgeners in Europe: Join us...
www.fbodyeurope.com

 

.

 

been waiting and wishing for a tech article on this ever since I discovered this website...

I heard the door panels are a b|tch to get to work, and the dash doesn't just bolt in either. Don't think I aint gonna attempt it though!

 

Supposedly, the doorpanels are not too hard to put in. It looks like it does require that you run some new wires, and some custom mounting hardware, and maybe a bit of cutting, but thats about it. BUT! when you install the doorpanels, you wont be able to close your door because of the different shape near the front of the panel. It is made to fit into the pocket in the 4th gen dash, so the doorpanel swap almost requires you to do the dash swap. Dont hold me to this, though, this is just what I have heard and what it seems to look like.

 

and it would just look weird with 4th gen doorpanels and the thirdgen dash

------------------
91 rs, convertible, K&N, Edelbrock open element cleaner, 3.73, B&M mega-shifter, goodmark cowl-induction hood,tinted windows,MacEwen Overlays
Coming soon......"Custom" non-red material.

 

Yeah, I want a tech article of a dash swap damnit! I really really want to do this now

------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

i will let you guys know how hard it is, just got home from the junkyard been talking with the owner for last coulple of months, he has a 96 firehawk that was flipped, some guy flipped it upside down in a dicth totalled the car anyhow the owner of the junkyard took the motor for his 55 chevy and i just finshed stripping the inside today, got the leather seats, dash doorpanels, and most of the interior peieces, i allso plan on getting the rearend out of the car as soon as he cuts it out for me, after that the car goes to the crusher , anyhow im putting the interior in my 89 formula 350 i will take pics of the process

 

I am currently sad.



------------------
1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

 

Let me know how it goes. If it isnt that hard then I have a wrecked '97 Firehawk around me. The interior is in perfect condition. The owner was asking for a lot of money, but that was a few months ago. The car is still sitting there. It is sad how suck a beautiful car was wrecked. Damn, I cant wait untill I own my own Firehawk. They are kick @ss cars.

 

take lots, and lots, and lots of pics... PLEASE

 

yeah i know such a shame , to wreck any firehawk , the person shouldnt even be driving it that fast to wreck,take it to the track, firehawks were meant for storage and sunnydays , anyways the car actually only had about 25 k on it , taking the stuff out wasnt to bad since the guy allread had the dash loose when he pulled the motor, i like the 96 and down dash then the 97 and up, 97 has those long vents in the middle, 96 has the three little round vents above the radio, im pulling those out and throwing in gauges, but i do plan on taking some pics for you guys becuase i know alot of people are wondering about the swap, only reason im trying it was becuase i got a good deal on this stuff so if i mess up i didnt loose anything, i only paid 200 for bascially the car,minus the front seats, i paid 175 for them and 550 for the rear, but believe me the car didnt have one good body piece on it, hood was in 4 pieces, half the spolier was gone, doors were split in two fenders all cracked, quarterpanles were pushed in about 2 feet on both sides, and t-tops were allmost at seat level, the guy who recked it crawled out without a scracth , very lucky guy, i nerver knew how the 4th gens were practically all fiberglass, the doors are glued together along with spolier, o and to whoever said that the doorpanels wont work with our dash is right ,i held one up, and looks like the top part would hit our dash without some trimming, might be a couple of weeks before i do the swap, waiting for my 383 to come back from machine shop, and then i gotta put it in so i can drive my car from my cousin house back to mine, then welding in steve sphons cage, new carpet and then the swap, i let you guys know how it turns out,

 

I wonder if the T/A (firehawk) dash is similar to the Camaro dash in appearance. I mean the dashpad and frame of the dash, not what goes in it. The 3 airvents would be cool for gages, I need some new ones anyway for my SC. I could always put in my Camaro Monsoon TL CD and stuff...also wondering, would the Camaro gage cluster bolt right in? hmmm, I may be interested in one if you know of the whereabouts....you're a lucky guy for finding those parts for that price, can't complain, I found some good deals myself (4thgen SS rear for $125), but I REALLY want a 4thgen interior. ANYBODY KNOW WHERE I CAN GET ONE???The dash I was going to buy turned out to be cracked in half underneath in the wreck, the cluster filled with water last week...

 

Don't forget to get the complete front brake setup and EBCM for me. I just found a way to mount 4thgen and 'Vette brakes on a thirdgen. !!! I need the premium brakes off the front, I'm already running rear 4thgen brakes so that's OK. Also would like info on the proportioning valve and booster/ABS/theftlock stereo pigtail connector if possible. Can't find these kind of vehicles down here. Anybody who knows of a good wrecked Z28 or T/A, expecially a 1997+ Camaro with good interior, e-mail me PLEASE!

Where's the trans at? What kind???

 

Hey Guys,

Anyone actually attempting the conversion I would like to ask you a big favor LOL Please take pictures and keep detailed reports. :-) I will scan any of the photos for you, as well, I will be burning it all onto CD's as well, for anyone wanting the article.

I am going to be writing this up for my site and attempting it on my 1988 Camaro Convertible SC. It will be the featured project car. I am working on picking up several donor 97 Z28's and might be able to offer "extra" parts we have for some of you out there. We will be putting in the 350, hopping it up a bit, and implementing the interior. Any suggestions, comments, anyone that has currently tried this. Where you suggest we start? I think if we all get together, we can get some very unique rides out there. I like the interior feel and power of the 4th gen's but nothing beats the curves and feel of the third gens. Talk to everyone soon,

James

PS I will be keeping a "price list" of what the parts would of cost us to do the full conversion including installation costs.

[This message has been edited by Jstcrzyengh (edited June 02, 2001).]

 

I would HIGHLY suggest you get the whole car if you can, if not - make SURE you get the wiring harness, if not you'll kick yourself in the butt....believe me!!


Ken


------------------
Bright red 86 Iroc-Z Choo Choo Customs Convertible
17x9.5 TT II's w/ 275/40x17's, BMR stb, Lakewood APR, Jamex 1.5" Lowering Springs
ChevyKen's Cars (ALL new!!)

Administrator @ ChevyWorld.net (Now in a BRAND NEW Design)

 

Now that I think of it...wouldn't it be easier to just use a 4thgen body harness, if I'm using a setup requiring an electronic speedo anyway? I have been thinking of ABS perhaps in the future since I'll have the equipment to do it, and that'll be alot easier with the body harness. Now I wonder what I'll have to do about the BCM...

 

up

 

Dhirocz,
how 'bout more info on the brake swap?

 

I'm working on that as we speak. Basically, my idea it to use a factory rotor that lacks the friction surface, so 4thgen rotors can slide on over it. then make an adapter...
After taking a good look at some '99 LS1 T/A brakes today, it's definitely possible. I'm going to attempt to retain the ABS function as well. 4thgen brakes stop exceptionally well for factory brakes. I'll be sure to share when/if it's successful. All I really need right now are the LS1 front brakes complete, then I can start fitting them on...

About the dash swap, do you guys think it's possible to use a C% Corvette digital A/C control head with the dash? Also, I haven't decided if I will try to swap a 1997+ Camaro dash or a T/A dash...I've found more T/A dashes, and I like the 3 A/C vents (for gages). Any pics of a late 4thgen T/A dash, anyone? Don't care what it's installed in. Want to compare it to a 1997+ Camaro dash, thanks

 

I haven't seen a 4th gen brake setup, but I think you're saying use only the 3rd gen hub with a 4th gen rotor attached somehow, then build a mount bracket for the 4th gen caliper?
Are the 4th gen rotors pressed on or something?
If so, it sounds like you may have hit on somethlng, keep us updated, yeah?