How many V6 owners have swapped out their warning lights for the factory gauge clusters on 85'-87' Firebirds?

 

I still have mine to do
IF you are seeking the guage package MAKE SURE YOU GET the 1985 set up for your car.
And ALSO MAKE SURE THAT you score a V6 set up not a V8
How to tell
EASY
Oil pressure gague on the V6 gauge is going to read to 80!
V8 reads only to 60.
What also to score is the two back block plugs with the wires attached. That way one only needs add from coil a white wire. Rest of wires only need swap around from idiot light block dash plugs to the new gauge.
Look for my old post called
Swapping the idiot gauges...I have pics & a block plug pictures.

 

The only problem with re wiring the connector plugs for the gauge cluster printed circuit seems to be the charge indicator light that is present with the idiot light cluster. The GM service manual diagram shows the light is part of the charging circuit for the alternator. Omit the light, and the alternator won't start charging. It also seems that it might be possible to use either the choke, or up shift light spots, on the V6 gauge cluster to still have a "charge light" there, and keep the alternator working.

 

When I looked at the Helms book for guidance, and then color matched all wires/connections, every one "fit", except the missing one, the one white wire from coil area to the gauge cluster.
I don't doubt ya, but this is what I found when I researched.

 

Yeah, the factory manual show the charging circuit is different for the warning light and gauge cluster cars. Maybe not that big a deal though.

 

dammit Karl, I'm gonna have my bird on the road before you swap in that cluster.

 

Rebuilding a project for sale takes priority anyday!
Stinks, don't it?

 

I don't think this swap is too tough, but there are a couple of issues that have to be worked out and the charging light on the idiot light cluster providing resistance in the charging circuit to "switch on" the alternator is one of them. The warning light circuit has to be maintained, or else a different alternator has to be installed.