145 mph gauge swap
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
145 mph gauge swap
Ok so I originally had the old 85mph gauge in my car and was looking to swap it over to the 145mph gauge with the rpm gauge and the needles rather than lights for the oil, battery, and temperature. I am unsure whether or not I can just plug this new one in or not. Today I removed my old cluster and put in the 145 mph gauge but for some reason, when I turned my key the fuel gauge as well as the temp gauge and a couple others didn't move at all. Do I have to convert something? Did I get a bad cluster? Also one of the blinker lights doesn't turn off, even when my lights are off. Thanks in advance!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Smithfield, VA
Car: 85 Tojan
Engine: ZZ4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9", 3.50
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
You may have to. I have an 85 and converted to the 145mph cluster from a later 80's car. I had to rearrange some of the pins on those two connectors behind the cluster. You need to get the wiring diagram for your car and the one the gauges came from to figure it out.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
https://www.thirdgen.org/gauges/
JamesC
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
Sounds like original dummy lights. If so, the following should put you on the right track:
https://www.thirdgen.org/gauges/
JamesC
https://www.thirdgen.org/gauges/
JamesC
Trending Topics
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 461
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
FYI: Not all gauge clusters are the same. The 'plug & play" compatibility range is 82-85 and then 86 to 89.
From the link James posted for you :
From the link James posted for you :
IMPORTANT: You have to follow directions below. If you don’t replace your sending units, bad things could happen.
I don’t know what because I did my swap the right way. Maybe nothing, maybe something. Do you love your camaro? Don’t risk it, read on.
You will need to replace the oil pressure Sending unit and the water temperature sending Unit.
A Haynes Manual Can help you finding and replacing them. Just get them from the auto Parts store and make sure they are made for GAUGES, NOT DUMMY LIGHTS. Yeah, those cool red ones at the top you hope you never see again. Done?
I don’t know what because I did my swap the right way. Maybe nothing, maybe something. Do you love your camaro? Don’t risk it, read on.
You will need to replace the oil pressure Sending unit and the water temperature sending Unit.
A Haynes Manual Can help you finding and replacing them. Just get them from the auto Parts store and make sure they are made for GAUGES, NOT DUMMY LIGHTS. Yeah, those cool red ones at the top you hope you never see again. Done?
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
From: El Sobrante, California
Car: 1984 z28
Engine: Crate replacement L31R 350
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 7.625" 28 spline 3.23
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
I was planning to get rid of the 85 mph setup.
Thanks
*edit* I found one of your posts mentioning a backlight and brake light need to be reconfigured.
Last edited by RamIt; May 6, 2016 at 09:05 AM.
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 461
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
Yup, That's the problem.
The BRAKE warning light was moved from the far Right to the far left of the cluster. if an 86+ cluster is used in a 85 and earlier car then this change will cause 1 or 2 of the backlights to become non-functional as well as the BRAKE warning light.
All other functions should work normally.
I'm not sure re-pinning the cluster will resolve this problem or not. The simplest way to overcome it ( IMO ) is to use a 82-84 gauge cluster and install the 86+ 145 Speed head into it. The 82-85 cluster ( more accurately - it's printed circuit ) will be a direct match for the 82-85 dash wiring.
The BRAKE warning light was moved from the far Right to the far left of the cluster. if an 86+ cluster is used in a 85 and earlier car then this change will cause 1 or 2 of the backlights to become non-functional as well as the BRAKE warning light.
All other functions should work normally.
I'm not sure re-pinning the cluster will resolve this problem or not. The simplest way to overcome it ( IMO ) is to use a 82-84 gauge cluster and install the 86+ 145 Speed head into it. The 82-85 cluster ( more accurately - it's printed circuit ) will be a direct match for the 82-85 dash wiring.
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
From: El Sobrante, California
Car: 1984 z28
Engine: Crate replacement L31R 350
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 7.625" 28 spline 3.23
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
That would work but the trip meter reset is in a different location. 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 461
From: RI
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.11 LS1 Rear End
Re: 145 mph gauge swap
I figured that you swapped full clusters already because the other gauges ( not speed ) started giving you trouble. During a direct idiot light-to-gauges cluster swap the fuel and tach should work fine,... but the temp and OP gauges need new sending units before they will work properly
What you say is true; again, I thought you already had a full 86+ cluster. So,....... to be more accurate; Just swap the Speedo head and matching clear lens into an earlier 82-85 (GAUGES) cluster to avoid compatibility problem.
What you say is true; again, I thought you already had a full 86+ cluster. So,....... to be more accurate; Just swap the Speedo head and matching clear lens into an earlier 82-85 (GAUGES) cluster to avoid compatibility problem.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post