Hey everyone, its time for me to install a temp gauge in my firebird. I have a dummy light cluster and that temp light is useless...Anyway, I probably have a warning light sending unit. I have been doing some research and it looks like a mechanical gauge is the way to go How is this one? http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I guess I would need a new sending unit as well, how is this one?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Will it work? Thanks in advance.

 

The gauge you selected is a mechanical unit, so an electric sending unit is not required. The mechanical gauges come with a fixed length of "tubing" and a sensor probe on the end that will thread into the cylinder head or intake manifold.

The mechanical gauges work well, but you will have to drill a fairly large hole in the firewall in order to pass the probe through. The elctrical gauges are more expensive, but you will only need a hole in the firewall big enough for one or two wires to pass through.

Hope this helps.

 

Ah, thanks for the quick reply. So for the electrical gauge, it connects directly to the sending unit? Or has to splice onto another wire? Thanks.

 

Most electrical gauges will have two terminals on the back of the gauge (not including the wiring for the light). One is connected to a 12V source, and the other is connected to the terminal on the sending unit.

 

I just ordered a mechanical gauge, lets see how it goes. Any tips on where to run the line through the firewall? Thanks.

 

Sorry, but I have not had to run anything through the firewall on my Camaro, so I really don't know. The area near the pedals by the drivers feet would seem to have the best access from inside the car.

 

You should be able to swap out your idiot light cluster with a gauge cluster from a similar year Firebird. I did this with my Camaro and all I needed to do was swap the cluster, temperature sender and the oil pressure sender. It all hooks into the factory harness and locations.

 

I tried that, but no good. In order for me to use a gauge cluster, i would have to get one with a electro speedo, but i dont have a vss on the tranny....long story lol

 

to the right of your break booster is a hole that a bunch of wires run from the eingein to the interior. its right behind the fuse box(well its kind of a pint to get to from the inside) best way to pull the line through is to get a clothes hanger and stretch it out flat, then stick it through the hole from the engine compartment side. then look in the car and find the hanger. attach the sending unit of the gauge and pull it back through.

 

I would try to find a grommet for the hole so the metal can't cut the tubing.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, Ill try it today.