I wasn't sure if this was the right forum but I think it should be OK. Here's my question.
What years of Gauge clusters are interchangeable? I know that the engines have to have the same amount of cylinders.
I have an '83 Z28 and there is an 89 at the junk yard. Will that Cluster work?

Thanks,
Tim

 

MOVED !!!

I want to think that Camaros from 1982 thru 1989 are the Cable Driven type, and 90-92 were Electronic type... Not sure about interchangability but I think you can, about 80% positive.

I know Firebirds 82-85 (thru 87 without gage package) Cable Driven Speedometer. 1985 - 1992 Electronic type...

I have taken gages from one and put them into another cluster... so I know they are basically the same, not sure if the pinouts are the same for every year, but I think the gages will interchange if you disassemble them...

John

 

Thanks alot, I'm going to try to get one out of a car at the junk yard. What is a good price for the cluster?

 

$50 to $70 is pretty typical.... I have bought them for less but thats about my average.

 

I picked this one up for $40. I am having a problem getting it to fit into where the old one was. I took the old one out. I was having trouble getting it out and then I did something and it popped right out. and then I tried to get the new one in and can't get it. I thought that maybe they weren't interchangable but now, I can't even get the old one back in. I get stuck at the same place.
It is right at the start of the steering column cover plastic and is about 1.5 to 2 inches higher than it needs to be to slip into the gauge cluster holder.
any help would be appreciated.

 

1) Lower the column TILT all the way DOWN
2) IIRC Unscrew the column tilt handle and remove.
3) REmove Dash pad if not already off...

John

 

I always drop the steering column a bit and then tilt the steering wheel back as far as possible. No problems. I'd cover the column a bit with masking tape to protect it. You should probably clean the cable and cable housing, then relube the cable itself while you're in there.

82 to 89 mechanical, 90-92 electric. Gauge cluster to gauge cluster (V8 to V8 or V6 to V6) should be fine. If you have idiot lights, you'll have to do some work. By the way, should you only be interested in the speedo head, I'd swap it into your current cluster to save potential problems.

If the trip odometer doesn't function, check the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...-fix-pics.html

JamesC

 

Thanks for the help. I did finally get it in. All I had to do was make the cluster a little thinner by taking the clear and black bezels off of it. However, I do have the same problems that I did with the last one. the tach and speedometer read high, although at different amounts than they did before. With my old speedo it I was going 40 it would read 60 and 30 - 45 60 - 90
I already tested the tach with an aftermarket one and it read correctly so it is not the sender. The speedo I haven't tested but I suspect that it is just the gauge as well and not the gears or cable. I will test it soon.

 

They make an auto meter gauge cluster for our Camaro's. Kinda pricey but looks slick as hell!!

Check this out!! http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/h...hid=826AS61865

 

Agreed that the clusters look cool. I contacted the manufacturer a while back to find out if they're plug and play. They aren't.

JamesC

 

These will plug right in!!

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/in...ROD&ProdID=608

 

... Do you have a taller rear end gear?

That would explain the difference in speed... Its almost like you should have a 2.73, but your car actually has a 3.73 gear, that would account for a difference.

Mathematically if your speedometer driven gear is for a 2.73 and you have a 3.73 gear your speed would read 55mph (approx) at 40mph. A 4.10 Gear would read 60Mph at 40 mph actual speed.

A 2.73 gear at 70 Mph is about 1750 RPM in Overdrive.
A 3.23 gear at 70 Mph is about 2000 RPM in overdrive.
A 3.73 gear at 70 Mph is about 2250 RPM in overdrive.

Hope that helps

 

Here's what the manufacturer told me in an email, though that dialogue occurred around the first of the year (so things may have changed). Check the link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ighlight=covan

JamesC

 

Gotcha,

Thank you that's good to know before I shell out 800.00!

Trey

 

i too had wondered about how the made these plug and play using the factory ribbon connector...glad to see my suspicions are correct...its plug and play after you cut the factory harness and splice in the plugs...LOL..while easy to do thats not plug and play!...

 

What kind of work, im looking to change mine from lights to gauges

 

Sendors. Check the following how-to: https://www.thirdgen.org/gauges

JamesC