Hey all. I have an 87 Trans AM that Im doing a LS1/T56 swap into. Im cleaning up wiring right now. I know a lot of people just leave the old wiring alone...but I decided to remove as much as I can to simplify things for future repair/work. Im putting in ALL autometer gauges, so technically...the only wiring i really need is lighting, horns, hvac, radio...stuff like that. I already removed the harness for the engine. The questions I have are about a few things inside the car. I have pics of the "boxes" and pigtails that are in question... If anyone can give me some help Ide really appreciate it!

Ok...first up. These wires and the yellow box Im pretty sure do something with either the speedo or the tach... Says buffer box on it...so I assumed it was a buffer box for one of the two. I need a confirm on this one.





Then this box with a big AC on it...and its holder/position...




Then this silver box..looks kind of like a relay or sorts..


Ok..next up is this bundle of wires...These branched off of the harness that I removed for the motor wiring. They were separate from the ECM plugs...but right there with them. Also in the background...there is another "relay" I think.


Ok...I looked through my wiring diagrams...they are in a haynes book so they dont help too much. So if anyone has any pointers or info on those parts, let me know.

Has anyone else removed this much stuff??? Or was it all just left alone? Since I dont even need the gauge wires...I figured getting rid of the rats nest would make things easier. Thanks!!

Justin

 

Pics 1 looks like your VSS buffer


pics 5 silver box is your defrost relay

 

Ok...so VSS buffer can go. And I would have never guess that was the defrost relay... My defroster doesnt work because the strips are falling off the glass...but I guess Ill keep it just in case. Thanks! Any more info!

 

Last pics Relay in the back looks like for a remote hatch release

 

Hmm...I think there was an alarm on the car at some point. Not anymore though. Maybe its left over from them removing it???

Does anyone know if I can pull most of the wiring out without removign the dash? Or does my dash pretty much need to come out in order to sift through the wires...? I started to pull some down, but it seemed to be up in there pretty good. Ide like to be able to trace the wires manually...that way I KNOW where they go. And i can remove them easily...

Justin

 

I have parted a couple of firebird and the wiring is attached on the backside of the dash with zip ties and connectors

 

The box with the AC on it is your cruise control "brain".

 

really??? I thought it was all accomplished with that ugly looking thing out in the engine bay with vac lines running to it... huh...well I guess i can delete that since Im running 4th gen cruise. Why the heck did they put it way over on the pass. side of the car? Cruise unit driver's front, controls on the column, brain box under the passenger dash cover? I wish car manufacturers would label these types of parts.. With the amount of "do-it-yer-selfers" growing each year, it would be nice. Nothing fancy..just a sticker saying "Cruise Control Center" or something... Then again...it would probably keep some people from returning to the dealer for a good spankin! Haha... Thanks for the info!

Justin

 

no problem!. If your car was a camaro, the brain would be right next to the column. hahah.