Id like to ditch the old junk cable driven speedo and go to a later electronic one. Im going to use my PCM to drive it, but I have a few questions about whats needed. First off, how many pulses per mile does the speedo need to see? 4,000? Also, whats needed by the speedo to function? +12V, gound, and a signal wire, or does it need more? Lastly, can it just bolt in place of my existing one physically, or do I need another cluster to make it work?

 

82-89 Camaros had cable-driven speedo heads while 90-92 were electronic. The two clusters aren't direct swaps. Covan offers a cluster with AutoMeter gauges, to include an electronic speedo. Pricey.

JamesC

 

What where the differences? Is it a matter of the newer ones needing different provisions, or will they not physically bolt in to the earlier cars without mods? Is it possible to just swap the element itself?

 

The cluster in the later models is considerably different in shape from the earlier models. Check out the 90-92 cluster and compare it to the 82-92 version and you see what I mean.

JamesC

 

My memory is a bit foggy but I think I remember what your talking about. The sweeps of the gauges was more of a 90 degree affair with a more plaque style gauge face rather then the current pod ones that I have now, correct? I assume this would require some mods, or a dash swap?

Edit: damn, saw a picture. It really is a lot different, and kinda fugly. Might almost be worth it, though. I really hate that cable driven speedo. Wonder how much effort it would be to ghetto rig a tach module for a speedo

 

Sounds right. I'd imagine a fairly severe modification would be required.

JamesC
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Mind if I ask why?

JamesC

 

The cable is a bit contorted with the TKO, and I'll have to swap out the gear set when it comes time to do the rear gears. It also bounces like hell, but a new cable would solve that, at least for a while. If something could be done with an electronic one with less effort, then Id just do that instead. The PCM can generate waveforms at will, so anything that can turn the needle and fit where the speedo is will work.