Hi everyone! Two things for today...1) I swapped out my 85mph cluster with a 140mph one on my firebird. On the new cluster, I dont see that thing you attach the speedometer cable to. Do I have to actually open the old cluster up and take it out, then put it in the new cluster?

2) Now I am going to need new sending units for the oil and temp guages. Are they easy to install? Where do I install them on the car? Thanks in advance.

 

Are you sure you have the correct cluster? Sounds to me like you're trying to swap in an electric instead of the mechanical your car requires.

JamesC

 

ah..Well the cluster is fine, everything works, except the speedo.is there still a way to make the speedo work? Do I have to change the cable?

 

Here's your problem: If you swap mechanical speedo for mechanical speedo or electric for electric, the swap is plug and play; otherwise, you'll have to convert (note the link below). In the end, the easiest fix would be to purchase the correct speedo/cluster for your application. A search might provide other answers to your dilemma.

http://www.hioutput.com/tech/speedo.html

JamesC

 

Oh ok, makes sense. Its going to be fun to try and find a cluster with a mechanical speedometer with guages...lol All the ones I saw were electronic. Thanks

 

Providing that the other guages are exactly the same if I just swapped out the instrument clusters everything else will work but the speedo correct?

 

Swap a 140mph speedo from a iroc into the trans am houseing. That way you get the speedo you want and its cable driven. Paint the back orange to get better backlighting.Easy as pie.

 

I just bought a 120mph cluster off ebay, I have the exact same buffer in the picture from the "how to" link posted above. I got it free from the pull a part yard last week. I cut it past the plug and everything.



I'm going to do a conversion rather than fight trying to find a good 85 cluster. My question is:

What does the VSS attachment on the transmission look like? Anybody have a picture?

 

Small plug on the side.

 

so the one that's on my 85 TA right now will work?? It was originally TPI and the stuff should still be there.

 

I have a similar problem, I have an 86 bird was a multiport v-6 converted to a 1990 305 v-8 with a turbo 350 trans. It has no E.C.M. the speedo is electric speed sensor driven. I was able to convert the sending units to the v-8 & all gauges work except for the speedo. I have a new cable & need to know if I find a cable driven speedo(from a 1983) will the plug in portion on the back of the cluster match the pin conector for all the gauges will work?

 

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You'll most likely need a 1985 Firebird speedometer if you want to use the cable...it's a direct swap to the 86 cluster.

 

But you should be able to retain your stock 86 guage and use a cable driven 2000 pulse VSS like this. It's #1 in the picture. It attaches to the cable drive shaft on the transmission...no cable needs to go to the speedometer.

http://jagsthatrun.com/Pages/SpeedSe...eedometer.html

You'll just need to cut the connector off and splice into the stock VSS wiring, but it should work providing you didn't rip all the wiring out. The ecm doesn't control the speedometer.

 

All Firebird factory cable driven speedos were 85 MPH pieces. If you want to upgrade to a 120 or 140 MPH speedo you'll need to convert to an electric speedo.