Looking to settle a debate on a couple of questions regarding the 140 mph speedo in the third gens.
1) when was the first 140 mph speedo introduced?
2) in 1987 which engine options got the 140 vs. the 85 or 120?

Thanks.

 

I never got into the exact specifications, BUT I know unless the aftermarket GM ones no 145 until mid year 86. I had an 85 with the GMPP 140 speedo with the older style needle.


From seeing them when I was younger, the TBI irocs got the 115.

I don't remember many later (after 88) having the 85?

 

Would the 145 ever come with a cable drive for my 83?

 

Late '86 according to Camaro The Third Generation by Michael Lamm.

 

Camaro had cable drive speedos through '89.The '82 and '83 speedos had the trip odo reset button in different position than '84 and later.The info in reply #2 is what I know also: 145 speedo mid-1986 addition.

 

Thanks for the information, i will look around and see what is out there. Thanks again.....

 

There was an over the counter version of a 140mph speedo available in 1982. Many pace car owners would swap to these to mimic the actual pace cars. The factory 145 speedo came in mid-1986. In 1987, if i remember correctly, the 145 speedo was installed in TPI engine models. I can't remember.

 

Reagan got rid of the 85MPH speedo rule in 1982:Porsche and many other car brands upgraded their speedos for '82 while it took Detroit well into the mid 1980s to change up...Started seeing the 85 MPH speedos in some 1979 cars,was required for 1980 models...

 

The replies seem to be about Camaro speedometers, and maybe that's what the OP was talking about, but he didn't say which, Camaros or Firebirds.

I was going to post a couple of links to some for the Camaro that are currently for sale, but so many came up that I'm just going to say to anyone interested in them, the internet. Both styles are out there and available: Ebay, Thirdgen Ranch...

Here's a currently active thread with a picture of the over the counter "Z28" speedometer that Scott was talking about. MPH only, no KPH. I installed one in my 1983 Z28 back in 83/84. This type would be better suited to the earlier Camaros than the factory 145 MPH speedo that came during the middle years.
1984 Z28 L69 - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Firebirds started getting 140 MPH electric speedometers in 1986, and they only featured MPH, no KPH, obviously not for export. 1987-1992 had 140 MPH (with KPH).

Edit: The OP said "third gens," but I overlooked his sig, which says IROC.

 

My memory is a little foggy (come with age), but I remember my '85 Z28 (TPI) had the 85 MPH speedo. My best friend (still to this day, car is long gone) had an '87 Iroc with the 120 MPH speedo (305 TPI). He went down to the stealership, and bought the 140 MPH speedo shown in Saxondale's beautiful '84 (really nice car). This was BIG money for broke community college kids. We swapped out his 120 MPH to the 140 MPH speedo, and then swapped my 85 MPH speedo to the 120 MPH speedo, So the '87, 305 TPI (at least) got the 120 MPH speedo.

 

The performance versions (TPI cars and 5 speed L69 cars) received the 140 Speedo mid 86. The first run for the Trans Ams did not have the kph, it was added later in the 1986 model year. I had a late 86 Trans Am with a factory 140 Speedo with the kph that I swapped out for one without for a cleaner look. From what I've seen the 87+ cars only received the higher speedo for TPI cars, not the TBI equipped IROC/TA/Formula.

 

Great info. Thank you.

 

i'm thinking that you also had to have a 350 to get 140mph speedo in addition to what was said above

 

I'd like to get a 140 for mine, or even a 120...

 

More info on the early style 140 parts catalog version for Camaro. Needs an early lens because reset is at 10 o’clock. Needle style matches ‘82-84 gauges.