My 1987 bird has the ugly gauges with the quater sized dummy lights. To put in a tach setup, do I have to go through all the hassle of pulling computers and trannies to go to an 86 and OLDER tach setup? Should I just wait for an 87 and up setup (I'm in no rush)?

 

I would swap the dash harness and cluster for one in the same 2-3 87-89 year period of your car, and one with the options you want.
It can be done, it will be a huge PITA, and you will hate your car halfway through the procedure.

 

Is it still a pain swapping in one from an 87 and up?

 

well, for compatibilites sake, I would not go above 90, as the 90 dash is completely different.
I would stick to 87-89, swapping the harnes is basically the same no matter the year(as long as it's the same sub generation- IE 82-86 87-89 90-92), it's a PITA. Not neccesarily the actual harness swap, but taking the dash apart/back togeather is the pain.
My freinds 89 had a tach, so they are out there and exist, just finding a good cluster and more importantly the harness is the hard part.

 

Swapping from an 85 Full gauge cluster to an 88 Full gauge cluster (yes, gauges are in different places for some reason, & 2 less VSS wires) wasn't tooooo difficult, except those damn back lights

 

I believe that 86 firebirds and above have electronic speedo's while the 85 firebirds and below had mechanical speedo's. Might be wrong, but!!

The Trickster!!!!!!!!

 

You're correct. I have an extra cable flopping around now, but that all right, gonna keep people guessing

 

People, as in the next person who owns your car? Ya right dude, you own a V6 Camaro, you own it till it dies!

edit: Sorry Project, I know what kind of car you drive. But you get the idea.

 

Camaro????


edit: Oh, I see the source of the confusion. I keep putting in engines from Camaros into it.