Hey gang,

My first tech question, and I don't even own a third gen yet!

My questions are involving the gauge cluster in a third gen. I know all third gens had some form of computer control in them, which I am assuming got more and more advanced as the years progressed. I am planning to install an older, non-computer controlled engine into a third gen, and my question is regarding how the gauges will operate. I prefer the look of a stock interior in my cars, thus I want to leave the original gauge cluster in place.

Does the computer in the car control how the gauges operate? I know that some models had VSS controlled speedometers; did some earier years still use the old cable driven speedometers? And the temp/oil pressure/voltage gauges, are they still driven straight from the sensors or do they go through the computer too?

I suppose if I wanted to, I could leave the computer in place and plug the sensors into the engine I am going to put in there. Trouble is, I will probably be using a TH350 trans (they are a dime a dozen!) and I don't know how a VSS system can be adapted to this trans.

I am open to any information or suggestions available. I know I may have tried to cover a broad topic here and my questions might seem basic, but I'm a newbie to this; all my cars prior to this have been 1964 and older.

Also, if perhaps certain years of third gens would be easier to accomplish this with, let me know! Thanks in advance.

 

The computer has nothing to do with the operation of the gauges.

 

Great! That is what I was hoping to hear.