I got a 85 firebird base 2.8l v6 automatic that I really wanna turn into something special. I want to start with the gauges. My current setup is the stock cluster with the 85 mph mechanical spedo and the gas gauge, and the other side is the grid of idiot lights. Is there any way I can swap in an 85 trans am cluster? Mostly worried about that I have no tach or temp or battery gauges and if the sending units are in place. If that won't work can I use this digital gauge?https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/85-92-firebird-trans-am-digital-instrument-gauge-cluster-panel-kit/
I know I will need a trans am gauge trim cover but those are cheap. Will this work with my cable speedometer and will the tach and other stuff work? And if the digital gauge will work fine do I have any other options cause this one is kinda steep and I wanna see some other options but I haven't found any. Any ideas?

 

Have you done a search? The conversion has been covered before. It's not a direct bolt in swap. The idiot light cluster uses a cable speedo, all the 120 and 140mph clusters are electronic, most of the 86-up Firebird clusters are electronic except for the idiot light cluster.

I'll say it again since it bears repeating. The only way to make a V6 Firebird into something special is to throw away the V6. Don't kill the messenger, I've had a pile of V6 thirdgens, no one is the least bit interested in the V6. The V8s aren't really anything special, the V6s are less so. Any money invested in a 2.8 Firebird, is like throwing cash in a camp fire. It's just the way it is. If your goals are lofty, sell the V6 and get the nicest V8 you can afford. You'll spend several times more money upgrading a V6 to the equipment most V8s came with from the factory, and you won't have to worry about things like the idiot light cluster.

 

when I meant a trans am cluster I meant the 85 cable spedo. But also with the v6 again, I know what I'm doing with my money, I don't plan on ever getting that money back from my car, I don't want a v8 because I can make that v6 into something special my plan is turbocharge it and make some reasonable power nothing crazy I don't plan on racing. I just want my daily to be a bit quicker and I realize what I'm doing. I want a unique firebird out of it and I'm gonna do it with a turbocharged v6. Ot a v8.thanks for the advice, I want to make this car for me, not anyone else so I'm just looking for tech support. Thanks 😊

 

The 85 TA cluster with gauges should drop in, just change the switches to sending units.

Sounds like you've got crazy plans and delusions of grandeur, so I'll just say good luck with your bad ideas and leave it at that.