Konicokirkland

I plan on doing a 305 swap on my 83 sports coupe.
the engine and transmission that will be going into the car are from a 92 rs. I also want/will be doing a dash swap to the 90-92 style dash and gauges. What would it take for me to get the 92 gauges to work, the transmission for the 305 does still have the speed sensor.

P.s. I dont care if you think I should go with a 350​​ instead, that's not what this thread is for.

Edit: I do have the computer from the car the engine came from if that is needed, I also know I'll need a vss box

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

The 90-92 Dash housing will not simply bolt up to your car. The Dash housing mounting brackets were changed from 89-90 to accommodate the changes made to the dash assembly. In order to install a 90-92 Dash housing into an 89 or earlier car you will need to remove the original mounting brackets(cut/drill spot welds), then remove the dash mounting brackets from a 90-92 and install ( welded/bolt ) them onto the 82-89 firewall.

There were a LOT of wiring changes from 83 to 92 so be prepared,........ getting the 90-92 cluster installed and working isn't going to be a 'simple' dash swap.

FYI: The wiring to your dash, and your engine bay harness is specific to 82-83 cars so be sure the wiring schematics that you use for the re-wiring job / dash swap are from those years.

Konicokirkland

Damn, I knew it was pretty in depth for a fourth gen dash swap but I failed to realize the same for the swap I'm wanting to undertake. How many headaches would I manage to save myself by swapping out the dash harness for a 90-92 harness?

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Well,.... Do you want working windshield wipers ?? I ask because ONLY the 82 and 83 Engine harness - & Dash Harness / Column - have the proper windshield wiper wiring that will work for your car. No other Camaro or Firebird Wiper Motor will bolt to the firewall, so you can't just replace the windshield wiper assembly with a newer style to match any replacement harness that you might want to try and use. Even if you don't want a working Wilper system; there are MANY other compatibility problems that make what you want to do - difficult. ( Keep in mind the 90-92 cluster will not mount properly in the 82-89 dash housing )

When I converted my 87 Coupe to a 90-92 dash I swapped everything; Engine, Dash Housing, ENTIRE wiring system from front bumper to the tail-lights. ( 84-87 wiper is different than 88-92 style, both all those years will bolt to the firewall so conversion was easy ) I kept the 87 type column,.. but "fooled" VATS so the 90-92 stuff would all work in the 87.