Hi all. I really want to install a 4th gen dash in my car because I love the modern look. I would much rather install an LS1 style dash because of the gauge design and looks, and I also know where I can buy a complete set up right now out of a 99 WS6. I am just wondering if the LT1 or LS1 style dash is easier to work with? The car will have just a carbed 355 in it and I want all gauges to work. I plan on completely rewiring with a painless chassis harness.

Also, what parts/ brackets if any do I need out of the donor car? I need to tell the guy what I need before I go so he can take it all out before hand. So far I told him I need the dash assembly, center console, and door panels. I'll probably grab the seat belts as well. Anything else?

 

From what I read before doing my swap, you need a 97 only cluster to work with the 98+ dash. The 98+ clusters receive serial data from the ECM to power the gauges. I think people have gotten them to work, but it requires a lot more work, whereas the 97 cluster is still getting data from the sensors directly. If you do a search, there is a lot more info on that topic. Make sure you get the a pillars. You need to sort of graft them to the old ones to close the gap because the newer dash is shorter than the 3rd gens. You may also need to get a elec speedo sensor if you have the cable one, I dont remember what year they switched in the birds. Make sure you get the dash pad and the trim pieces underneath, for whatever reason, some people dont include them with the dash. You also need the climate control box and hot/cold cable that goes to the dash, its easy to modify to the 3rd gen firewall box. Theres a sticky with 4th gen wiring, very good info there.

 

You can use all 93-02 dashes from birds they are all the same. You can interchange all clusters from 93-02 birds into 98-02 Camaro dashes. Best to use 93-96 cluster , some 97's compatible with digital odometer. There is also no difference between a LS1 and LT1 bird dash. The cluster itself may look a little sharper and of coarse Ebony was the color of choice in later years that's all. You don't need any brackets from the 4thgen car at all. Take the dash/top , pigtails , bezels , switches, and steering column panel. Forget about the panels under the dash because your Thirdgen ones are easily modded to fit back where they belong. The airbox you need is already attached to the back of your dash so no need to go pulling the other one out.

I have both A and B pillars "fitted" into my car and truth be told they fit like crap no matter what you trim. Th passenger side fits OK but the drivers side fits like crap. It looks fine when your driving but when you get out and look from outside to inside there is a huge gap on the driver side. Which is funny because in the past people have posted pics of A pillar install and how well they got it to fit just by trimming it , the pic was always taken from a distance with little description of the rest of the fit. Simply because it fitted like crap but "looks good" on some angles. Without some glassing and filling it will never be 100%.

Door panels are another issue and another road that IMO is not worth it. I had them in my car , butchered the inner door frame to get them to work. They are not worth it , they fit like crap and will never work right without serious cutting and glassing. Again another item people post in pictures that "look ok" but don't up close. If you do a search I have pics of my own where they look ok but truth be told they got annoying and the gaps were horrible. I opted to make my own custom panels starting with a Thirdgen panel and adding 4thgen components.

Console is easy as pie ,plenty of info on it. Nearly bolts in. Seatbelts are not worth the hassle I had those too, simply because with the 4thgen panels my doors would not close with the factory seat belt retractor. They too looked like crap and left a big hole in the still plates below the seat. They are very similar to the seatbelts found in 82 F-bodys. You can also use them with the 82 still plates to make them look proper , but the chances of finding 82 parts are few and far between. Unless your putting the door panels in the seatbelts are a waste of time.

There is also no step by step method to do this swap , just go with the flow.

 

Wow, very very helpful info. Thank you so much for that. The gauge cluster was the biggest concern, and while the LS1 style looks way better, I NEED them to work. The guy I'm buying from just happens to have a 95 cluster so I'm all set. I had him price out the dash, dash pad, cluster, door panels, seat belts, A-pillar trim, center 6 speed console, and an E-brake handle assembly all for 400$. . . .seem like a good deal? It's definately in my price range so I'm probably gonna go for it. The car is a stripped shell right now because it's getting painted, so working with the interior parts and custom fitting them should be a breeze (Keeping my fingers crossed, haha). If I can't get the door panels to look right, oh well. I'm sure I can sell them.

I did read up on a lot of your interior install posts before this one and they did help me out quite a bit. Your car is awesome, and I love how the interior came out on it! Also helps that it's an 86! Good year! Anyways, if I have any other questions, I'll let you know....going to pick up all the parts this Sat so Hopefully there as nice as he claims they are.