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Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone?

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Old Jun 28, 2010 | 09:14 PM
  #1  
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Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone?

I have gone through the searches and still not found exactly what I'm looking for. I have bought a 2000 center console and an 86 Firebird radio pod. I am not sure of the differences themselves, but I keep reading that the 82-89 dashes differ (not gauges, but something about how the console meets the dash) from the 90-92 dashes.

Can anyone who has installed a 4thgen console in a 90-92 Camaro with a Firebird radio pod be able to give me any pointers? From the pics I've seen, it looks like it can be made to fit really well, but it looks like there is some cutting involved.

If you've got info or pics, please post!!
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 07:29 AM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

I am trying this the only prob so far is when you put in the pod does not want to fit because of the ac vent.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 06:28 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Originally Posted by 1991z28camaro
I am trying this the only prob so far is when you put in the pod does not want to fit because of the ac vent.
There are 2 screws holding the heater duct to the main plenum. Take those out, swap the Camaro duct to the Firebird duct, put the pod in (however you'd do that), and go.

I ran a Camaro console in my Bird for a while because a Camaro shift plate was all I could find and afford at the time when I did my T5 swap.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 07:43 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Well, I started messing with things and feel somewhat defeated. The Firebird pod really isn't designed to go into the Camaro at all.

I took some pics of my progress thus far:

First, there were two tabs (locating tabs for the Bird dash, I guess) that I ground down. I also removed the pod 'guts' (to clear the Camaro lower vents for now).

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I then tried to test fit the console and pod into the car. The first thing I noticed is there is a tab (the backside of a plastic clip really) on the dash that will either need to be removed or the hole on the pod needs to be elongated to clear it:

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Once it clears, the mounting point of the radio pod will basically line up with the console mounting position on the Camaro dash:

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It meets the console like this:

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At this point, if you mount the pod to the console with some screws, and put the trim cover on, you'll be left with some exposed areas:

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Also, some bulging occurs because the pod is pressed against the Camaro dash:

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Yes, I know I have to remove the two tabs on the console...
More....... next post....

Last edited by Dante93GTZ; Jun 29, 2010 at 07:46 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

At this point, I'm a bit disappointed. I don't know about the rest of you, but after seeing a picture like this one:



I refuse to believe that it could be left the way mine is currently sitting. After reading the above info about the lower vents, I guess I'll have to pick up a lower vent from a Firebird to mate up as well.

Here is a pic from the side where the gauge cluster & plastics meet up to the pod... All kinds of problems areas:





Any info/advice?
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:39 AM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Well Im still working on mine so it currently looks very similar to yours(but I have an auto).It looks like to me that the pic you showed of the completed console was probably glassed and modified to fit.I also noticed the bulging of the pod.What im contemplating is taking off the vinyl and trimming the top of the pod down then glassing an extra piece for the front gap on top and re wrapping it.Im not in a big hurry for mine though im still trying to find a Manuel shift plate.Good luck,If I think of anything else ill post it up for you.
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 03:32 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Manual shift plates can be found through Hawks, eBay, or even junkyards (if you can find one). Or, Classic Industries has a few (for about $250). I don't know for sure if GM has any left or not. I'm still trying to find the front 2nd Gear Start/TCS switch cover for my console and a shift boot trim ring (got the cover without a shift boot, bought a boot, no trim ring means no boot in the console).
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 03:38 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Originally Posted by snipes2222
Well Im still working on mine so it currently looks very similar to yours(but I have an auto).It looks like to me that the pic you showed of the completed console was probably glassed and modified to fit.I also noticed the bulging of the pod.What im contemplating is taking off the vinyl and trimming the top of the pod down then glassing an extra piece for the front gap on top and re wrapping it.Im not in a big hurry for mine though im still trying to find a Manuel shift plate.Good luck,If I think of anything else ill post it up for you.
There was a 4thgen manual shift plate for sale on Ebay for like $70 buy it now.
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Old Sep 22, 2010 | 11:20 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

I mad the 4th gen 98 auto centerconsole fit. had to cut the metal that holds the shift plate up
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 06:03 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

Anyone else have pics of this im going to be tryin this method this weekend hopefully all goes well...
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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Re: Installing 4th gen center console in 90-92 Camaro w/ Firebird Radio Pod... anyone

nice carbon fiber
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