firebird896

I'm not sure whether I should keep the original console or go get a 4th gen one. If I did get a 4th gen one I wouldn't get the dash or any other 4th gen stuff to go with it.

So what do you guys/gals think I should do?

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

I myself like the 93-96 Firebird style console (the 97-02's looks too cluttered to me) And it only took 5 minutes to install (I used a manual one with my automatic (again easy install & cleaner look)

I want to smooth out where the cup holder is and the pocket in front of it.

MarkAJ86

^ that looks really good! I say do it.

firebird896

Where did you get the triple gauge pod at I'm looking everywhere for it.
What gauges would you put in it?
By the way why is the manuel console easier to install with a B&M megashifter kit?

bradley23150

iTrader: (10)

You can get that gauge pod, i believe at summit or Jegs, or both.
I like the 3rd gen console, but that looks really good. I would like to have the 82-92 B&M Megashifter that bolts right in, do they make one for the 4th gen?

3.1EyeCandy

iTrader: (3)

I've had the 4th gen console and have switched back to the 3rd gen one. It just looks cleaner and less out of place. In all honesty, I've never seen a 4th gen console look better installed than mine - and even then it had it's areas of improvement.

Orinackra

I'm with MN, I have the 93-96 in mine, and I think it looks ten times better than the stock thirdgen one. It does stick up kinda funny in a few places, but unless you're really looking for it, you cant tell. I dont notice it.

Bull

iTrader: (5)

The stock thirdgen consoles are ugly as sin. I put an '02 TA console in mine, and would never go back.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i just got rid of mine entirely, lol!


i like the 98+camaro ones though if i were to put one back in the car.

firebird896

Do you have any night shots of the gauges

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

I did the later model 4th gen Manual int he auto. I hate the 4th gen auto gate. Just looks plain and genero. The 3rd gen auto had nice styling with the boot. But mine had the padding side peeling off like they do. Plus I got cupholders =) I just had to do the power window switch mod

theimpaler68

iTrader: (1)

i like the 3rd gen camaro console that i put into my t/a got tired of the 2 piece stock one... plus the megashifter fits alot nicer

firebird896

Could the auto matic shifter plate be modified / cut to fit to the stock shifter?

Bull

iTrader: (5)

To use a 4th gen automatic console on your thirdgen car, a lot more has to be modified than the shifter plate. People who have done the swap have described having to hammer on the trans tunnel, tweak the shifter etc.

firebird896

OOO never mind maybe I'll just buy the base and put a manual top on it. Or just but the whole thing for $150+
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OOO never mind maybe I'll just buy the base and put a manual shifter plate on it. Or maybre I'll just buy the whole thing for $150+

Celticsfan

iTrader: (1)

do the 4th gen consoles sit lower? because when putting in new carpet i cut it a little too short and in a couple spots its noticeable...would this be any better?

GM Man

What did you use to round off the bottom of your guages, that looks clean...

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

Yea, how did you delete the lower console but still keep the radio pod? How sturdy is it? Since all of that is currently out of my car, I'm debating leaving it out!

"Excuse me officer, but to give you my insurance and registration I need to get out of the car and get them out of the glove box in the back."

>.> <.<

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Looks like he modded a Firebird radio console....

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

Ooh.

... Where's his parking brake?

jaron

if im not mistaken his words were "Thats what PARK is for..." lolll

ssean92

iTrader: (10)

4th gen all the way

Celticsfan

iTrader: (1)

...

86White_T/A305

I too plan on swapping to a 98+ console but my only question is whats the difference in the auto and manual console..is it just the top shifter plate...the console base are still the same bolt hole wise? Im asking because the auto consoles sell alot cheaper than the manual.Could i just buy a manual shift plate for a couple bucks and slap it on the console and be done?

Bull

iTrader: (5)

Yes, you could buy an auto console and then add the manual shift plate.

The problem is that to get the auto shifter on a thirdgen to line up with the slot in the auto console, it requires that the shifter be moved.

Nightcruzer

4th gen auto with auto

yellowflash86

so your saying that i could use a 4 gen for my third gen car.... my conslole is trashed now. would i have to do any mods. i have a automatic tranny...please let me know.

mcgarnicle

iTrader: (14)

There is a massive amount of information on this topic.

Nightcruzer, that is one of the nicest installs I have seen yet. It looks like it came from the factory like that.

Nightcruzer

Thanks for the compliment.
As far as the actual install, as Bull said above, to make it "work" with the auto plate you have to move the shifter, and to move the shifter, in my case, I actually had to cut out the shifter "mounting plate" that was there for the original shifter and I had to mix and match 3rd and 4th gen shifters and cables. I can't even remember exactly which combo I ended up with . So, this is kind of a non-reversible deal to make it look factory installed and was very surprisingly one of the more frustrating jobs I have done, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

All the instructions and details are here somewhere.....

jaron

WHERE DID YOU GRAB UR DIGITAL DASH FROM?? that looks nice...did it mount straight in??

Nightcruzer

I don't want to hijack this thread, so you can read all about the digital dash by clicking here.

firebird896

Your not I was going to ask you about that sweet computer set up though. How much was it and where can I get one?

Nightcruzer

That thread is here. After all was said and done including mistakes and doing all the labor myself I have just under 1G in the computer system

firebird896

Could you pm me the information on where to get this eguipment along with the prices. If it is not a bother to you.

Thanks I appreciate it

This will be a probable mod for me along with the console

VonKaiser

Wow, that looks insanely awsome. I'm going to assume that will work in my '90 Camaro. What's one of those '93-'96 consoles go for in pristine condition?

tilstad

I was looking on ebay, and found both a superclean fourthgen console, and a NOS replacement of the old one.

I do like how the fourthgen console has a more flowing shape to it. However, as some already mentioned, it does look a tad generic and plain. Soo... after some thought, given the original firebird console has the same styled pattern as the gauges and radio trim plate, I figured I'd rather go for a stock replacement to keep the overall style of the interior.

thirdgen540

honestly,,,, leave it the way it came. thats why you got this car in the first place, because you love it. and for what it is.

JS performance.

marcosabatino

Hey,
So I am also going to switch to a post 98 4th generation concel. But how do I remove the boot over the shifter? Im sure its simple. thanks

Bull

iTrader: (5)

Why are you trying to remove the boot? To get the console plate out?

The shifter **** has a large "staple" in it, on the radio side, that nees to be pulled out so the **** can come off. Then, the console can be lifted over the shifter lever.

tilstad

What exactly is the correct way of getting that staple out? Cause last time I tried, it was so stuck I gave up on getting it out of there, for fear of braking something else.

Is it prying upwards, downwards, or do you use a plier?

marcosabatino

Hey, yeah thanks. Yes I want to switch that entire concel becuase it is cracked. How do you put the staple back in, just with a regular stape gun?

Bull

iTrader: (5)

The staple isn't the kind that you shoot from a staple gun. It looks like a staple, but I suppose it is more accurately a horseshoe shaped clip.

From memory, I believe that you need a slotted screwdriver the pry the staple out, at least until you can grab it with some needle nose. get the screwdriver behind the clip and pry it forward, towards the radio. It shouldn't be too hard...squirt a bit of oil on it if it seems a little stuck.

To reinstall it, simply place the shifter handle back on the lever and push the clip firmly back into the hole where it belongs.

marcosabatino

Hey thanks alot, itll be a peice of cake

Bull

iTrader: (5)

Lemme know if you get it out.

marcosabatino

Hey Bull,
Yeah thanks, it came out pretty well. I honestly would of never guessed. But I have the new 4th gen concel and I also found some 4th gen leather power seats. So I just put thoes in aswell, although the power isnt hooked up just yet. The only other thing i found trouble with is with the seatbelts. The new seats have a solid loop that the seatbelt goes through, How do I get the seatbelt though that though? I took the plastic cap off the floor by the door but I dont see how I can unravel it. The only other option is Im assuming unscrew the top from under the padding uptop?

Ninety-One

Personally, I hate everything about 4th gen interiors, there rounded and hideous(SP?) Third gens were all about the 80's and square, i would never take out my console. Just my opinion though....

marcosabatino

Forsure, they are two diffrent styes. You have to be carful what you add in i think or it wont match. The only real thing i like from the new concel is the larger boot! So nice