I have a 83 firebird S/E 2.8L and I need to replace the gauge cluster because even after I replaced my speedometer cabler i still have a dead speedo.

Problem is I have a 8k tach that redlines at 6k. HOwever many people offer 85mph gauges but hardly any, actually I can't find any with 8k tachs. Is this a major problem? What can I do or would it be a modification or tweak I would need to make?

Please help before I go and buy something that just won't work.
thanks

 

There must be a way to just replace the speedometer...? Might be alot of work but there's gotta be a way...

 

yup but first I need to actually find a speedometer
thats the tricky part.

 

All ya do is replace the speedo head unit.
SO SIMPLE.
ALMOST ANY GM SPEEDO HEAD UNIT WILL WORK!
You could even get one from a 1955 Chvey & it would work!
Pop out your speedo unit & observe it.
Two screws on front hold it in place.
One pointer/needle holds it in place.
Remove/replace.
SIMPLE
I was gonna stick a 1969 Firebird 160 MPH speedo head behind my 1985 unit, except the speedo would read off, so.....
Really, it's that bloody simple.
IF ya got an original gauge package assembly, pop out the tach. On the tach CHIP, you'll see a number.
IT's either a "6" or an "8" for obviously 6 cyl or......
Your oil reads to 80 for a 6 cyl gauge package, too.
NO BIG DEAL!
Remove your speedo unit and strip it down and find an alternative.
I'll bet that even a ford or chrysler unit will work, too. NOT KIDDING!
Just make sure the alternative car speedo from also reads to only 85 MPH or the actual readings will be off.
ALL cars were very generic back in the 80's.
I've gotten parts for cars from Chryslers & Ford for GM sometimes.
SOMETIMES that can work!
When ya remove the speedo head, you'll see how easy it is to swap around.