Hey guys.. I have an 89 trans am that I am trying to convert all of my interior lights to LEDs. I want to have everything changed to white LEDs except I want to have my gauges and hvac controls in red ( I allready did my maplights with white LEDS). The only thing is that I am unsure of how many LEDs I am going to need as well what # LEDs to get.. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

I did my 91 camaro. Looks great, I bought the LED bulbs from here SUPER BRIGHT LEDS

As you can see here, you'll need 11 LEDs for the cluster, 194 style. I went to the auto parts store and bought the sockets that fit GM application that accept a standard 194 bulb. And then bought 194 style LEDs. As for the HVAC, you'll need 3 of the 74 style bulbs. I also replaced my dome light, might as well while your ordering the other bulbs.

 

I agree, I did my dash with SuperBrightLEDs amber LEDs (6 LED 194) and it looks great. The only downside is that since LEDs are more directional, its hard to get the dashboard evenly lit like the incandescent do. You have to carefully spread the individual LEDs and even then you'll get hotspots and spots you can barely see.

As for dome light, I forgot where I got mine - and I wouldn't buy there again as they didn't last long, but try to get one with as many LEDs as possible. Mine had either 4 or 5 and didn't light up too much. I really don't know if you can get more than that in a small bulb, I considered making a matrix of like 5x5 but just never had the time.

Kris, you got the 74s from SBL too? I don't remember seeing them. How do they look in the HVAC controls? I was afraid with the directional nature of LEDs it would light hardly anything.

 

I made a domelight of 4x3 10mm super bright 110K MCD LEDs. It's bright- much brighter than stock. Took alot of wiring but it's very easy to do- just google info on LEDs.

 

In your 1990 dash, do you have 6 LEDs in the stock 4 locations? Or there 6 LEDs per 194 housing? I got the 5 LEDs per bulb housing, which does well for the dash, except there are 2 spots that I would like to be a tad brighter, but when it's really dark, it's fine. As far as the HVAC panel, I kept it stock and went amber with the rest of the LEDs to match the HVAC panel, so I didnt replace those. But they do sell the 74 style bulbs Super Bright LEDs - Miniature Wedge Base Bulbs check out near the bottom of the page.

 

The best thing to do is, to not use those plug/play LEDs that fit the factory spots. You'll get alot of hotspots with those.

What you'll want to do is, buy your own LEDs that have a wider viewing angle, and then find a way to place them throughout the cluster. You'll want to have the LEDs pretty close together too.

If I ever get to working on my Camaro again, this is how I'm going to do it.

A great place to help you figure out what resistor you need is this.

LED series parallel array wizard

 

ok so how many 194 bulbs am i going to need? i already did my map lights.. also what is the number of the festoon bulb for the dome light? anyone know a plug n play led bulb for the dome? thanks

 

I think by looking at the picture above you'll need about 11. But you will get hotspots and dark spots.

Most of the Plug/Play LED bulbs, use very narrow viewing angle LEDs. Even the ones with LED pointed in different directions are going to give you hot spots, and not an even glow in your cluster.

 

I swear man, I fiquered it out all on my own by looking up bulb #s in the haynes, chilton, and online. It was very easy to find the info. Why do so many of you cant find the info? Anyways, I got the 5 LEDs per 194 bulbs for my dash (the ones with one sticking out the top and four on the side). And it reallys does a good job of lighting up the dash. I can only imagine what the older dash's that need 11 bulbs would look like? I think it woulb be more lit up than mine with only 4 bulbs. I've gotten to learn here on TGO that people just follow the "main". I tried it and got great results. Don't trust the majority on everything, sometimes there wrong.

 

i looked them up but the bulb number i get for the dome is ts 12-21.. cant seem to fina an led festoon bulb anytwhere

 

IS THIS DIAGRAM FOR A 91 RS CAMARO V-8 305? I SWITCHED OUT LIGHTS AND I HAVE SHIFT LIGHT COMING ON???