I have A 1987 Camaro Berlenitta, it origanly had a 2.8L V6, but the guy I bought it from swapped it with a 87 firebird 5.0L V8/Tranny, and the moron didnt rewire the speedometer, I dont think that it is hooked up to the computer, or the buffer, so any help on converting the existing speedometer to work with a 86 firebird engine/tranny would be appriaceted

Thanks

 

Does the 87 Firebird tranny have an electronic speedometer pickup (VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor) in the tailshaft? I know that the Camaro's switched to the VSS in 1990 and the Firebird did earlier but am not sure about the year.

So it's very possible that you have an electronic speed sensor and a mechanical speedometer. You can find correct gears for the mechanical speedometer cable pickup in the tailshaft and reconnect the speedometer cable or you can switch to an electronic speedometer (from a Firebird, possibly).

Lou

 

Im not sure if it has a electronic speed sensor, i will look tomorrow, and correct me if im wrong, but the speed sensor goes form the tranny to the computer, then from the computer to a buffer, and from the buffer to a speedometer right? and also if it is a electronic speed sensor i can get any digital speedometer that fits in the dash, or do I need one from a similair year firebird?, and one more quick question, if the tranny, and rear end was from a firebird with 16" rims, but the camaro had 15" rims do i need to get my speed sensor (or whatever) adjusted.

Thanks:
Tom

 

1) Yes, the electronic signal from the VSS goes to the ECM and then to the speedometer.
2) Yes, any electronic 3rdgen speedometer that would fit would be good enough to display the VSS reading.
3) Rim size doesn't matter. What matters is the overall tire size. If your tire diameter ratio is a lot different than the original, then you will need different plastic gears for the speedometer signal pickup.

Hope this helps.
Lou