If I were to swap to a Ls1 engine, can i bypass having to buy all that dakota digitial boxes and all the confusing wiring to the 1992 gauges and just simply hook them into the aftermarket Autometer gauges......?

Wouldn't that make it MUCH easier?

 

Call Autometer and ask! See if they have senders for the Gen 3 block. Not sure on that. If they do, its a matter of wiring the senders on the engine through the fire wall, and to the back of the guages wherever you place them in the dash. If you were to use the stock guages, PITA, if you were going with a 4th gen dash and computer, easier but still a PITA, if you don't like to do some wiring! Either way it will be a PITA, not too hard, thats all. I believe i have seen a retro-fit LS1 car with Autometer guages. Your best bet would be to call them and tell them what your plans are. They will help b/c they have helped me before. Also, there is going to be issues with wiring either way you go, stock guages, Autometer's, 4th gen dash, whatever, it will be interesting! For myself i have found it to be very stressfull and i am still not done with mine. I have yet to drive my car b/c i want to have guages before i take it out for a spin. New guages are a PITA! good luck

 

86IROC, just to make sure we are on the right page here.....

The wiring is a PITA either way i decide to do it, but.....

Autometer Gauges - Hard

4th Gen Cluster - Harder

3rd Gen Cluster - Hardest


correct?

 

reading his post, that is what i gathered as well.
for what its worth!

 

Alright just making sure i'm not alone on my thinking.....

 

Basically! lol It was a little confusing huh?!? Well, it won't be a matter of difficulty, just a major PITA, unless you are good with wiring and can read things well in your head without a wiring diagram. If you can do that, and then have a nice wiring diagram in front of you, then it should only be a matter of getting the job done. I know for me it is frustrating. If Autometer's sending units work with the GEN3 block, you are good to go i would think. Depending on the variety of guages you would choose, some would be easier than others to install.