Hi all 1st let me say I love your site, I am a Journeyman Auto Tech for 15 years. I have heard so many people ask why the h*ll am I rebuilding an 86 bird, so it's refreshing to see I am not alone. I havent figured out how to post a pic of it yet but will keep trying. I am into it for bout 6 weeks now off/on after work and weekends.My main question I can not seem to find an answer for is the speedo and tach, I have replaced cluster with a v8 one but am unsure if I have to go through the ECM or not. Donor car did not have this in it, rtead some say if swapping to a carbed engine can completly remove the pass side wiring harness, this is the ECM harness correct?Some comments I have from my readings are 1st on the T5 trans ( which is what I am going to try) I do believe these will hold up depending on how it is used, I had a 76 Camaro when I was 16 had a 4 sp Saginaw I went through 3 of them mainly from speed shifting, so doesnt really matter what trans you have they all can be blown up (unless of course you spend the $$$ for top of the line) Buddy has a stang with a beefed up 5.0L and has been driving it hard for over a year, and from what I've read these are pretty much identical.2nd Front springs My drivers side was broken so no biggy looked for a v8 set anyways, found a couple at the wreckers from v8 cars and guess what looked identical and broken in the same place as mine was, so I went to my local dealer to order a new set $105 canadian by the way not bad at all, and the only difference they showed between the 2 were 15" and 16" wheels not engine size.I have read questions about how to do the rusty rear quarters, I have no idea of the best or even proper way but I will post pics later how I am doing mine, seems to be going good so far but will be using a bit of bondo.Thats all for now againg great site and I will be here lots if anyone has questions or comments, Please if someone could answer my speedo question I would be greatly appreciated.

 

MOST of the passenger side harness can be removed, there are wires in there for the converter lockup, if so equipped, as well as the speedo wires, if its a factory there may bt backup light wires and a neutral safety switch wiring, im not sure other than that, it can all go. Mine is completely gone, i routed my speedo wires down through the console by the shifter.

as for the gauges, the clusters are all interchangeable, unless one is for a mechanical speedo and one is electric, though most if not all the 'bird clusters had electric speedos

T5's are weak, but will generally hold up well if you use the clutch properly and dont powershift

and Welcome aboard

 

K so if I am reading between lines correctly the speedo does go through the ECM and the v6 ECM will still control the V8 cluster correctly? and the speedo sensor in the tranny...is that good to go with a swap or do I need a V8 one? thanks for the quick response

 

welkl the engine is in the car tonight. a couple more findings....the biggest 14 spline clutch disk to fit the 10.4 flywheel is 9 11/16 which is actually 9 1/2 from an 84 2.8l firebird. a 153 tooth flywheel is very hard to come by in canada i paid over 340 for it (coulda bought a new one from ebay had i known) drop the engine in 1st then install headers. i will add more as i cross them

 

Next, you'll want to find a used V8 T5 from this site (where I bought the last two) so that you can upgrade to the 10+" clutch...

Also, you can get a 1"x14 clutch in 11" if you get a kit for an 88 Astro van with a 4.3 5 speed.

Good luck!

 

yes a V8 t5 is in the future, I am spending close to 9000 on car as it is, so the t5 and 3.73 ring and pinion will be next year sometime, I will definately check here when I am ready to buy. As soon as I get time to load pics somewhere so I can post I will. Again great site here I have learnt alot to help me through.