omnipotentgoku

iTrader: (1)

pardon me.. but which part # do I need from dakota digital ?

CustomX

the 97 up cluster is vastly different looking from the 96 earlier, they look similar to the bird ones posted above. but yes that is exactly how it looks witht he ls1 cluster got a great little animated gif of mien here some where leme dig it up.....

CustomX

Looks liek that when hooked up to a standard v8's tach output hehe!

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Yep, mine does exactly what yours did. How much is that tach recalibration unit?

And here is my cluster sitting in my 95 Formula Dash,

jay311md

I think they are like 50-75 on dakotadigital.com, but I could be wrong. I haven't gotten to that point yet, but the interior is ready to go back in. The dash is finally in, all wired up, next I have to trim the crash pad.

CustomX

ya that looks like the ls1 cluster, the lt1's in 97 had much thicker needles thent he ls1 did in 98 as well.......

dakota digital gots them, you can buy either the tach or speedo cal box, thier both the same part with different numbers to fool people.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. I'll add that box to my shopping list.

wpg_bird

hey this is the first I've ever heard of swapping in a 4th gen dash. I myself have the center console and love it. But the dash...whoa, sounds amazing. If anyone could post pics of a finished, or close to finished project with the 4th gen dash in to see what it looks like that would be awesome. This would definitely be something that I would do, as long as it doesn't require an incredible amount of customizing.

Dan

CustomX

Search for my posts in this forum, i must have a coupel dozen of my finished, or semi finished at that time dash, ill upload new pics with everythig 100% done once i get off my *** and go take them.

FIREBIRD7777

blahhhhhhhh!!!!! anyone want to volunteer to hook up my guages lol ,, im soooo lazy im not looking forward to digging in all these wires haha

IHI

iTrader: (1)

most of you have already seen mine so I apologize-and AGAIN...my bird is torch red-not a burnt ugly orange that the dig. camera potrays...still trying to figure out the remedy to this problem-look at the dash-not the paint please.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

another

IHI

iTrader: (1)

still not a great shot of red-but redder than the previous. Sorry not an int. pic.

Sonar_un

I fixed the pic for you.. it looks closer to the real color now.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Thanks-did you use some kind of "auto tint or contrast" in a phot program? I love my camera and my car, but my camera hates my car for some reason....oh probably cause the cars american made and the camera is a ricccer brand-what do you think

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

it's the camera. some cameras have problems with Magenta shift.
Here is a pic of my friends 99 SS taken with my Kodak DC-260 before I updated the firmware,





Guess the color car.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

LMAO, oh thank *** mine does'nt look like a Mary Kay car!!! That's funny as hell. So I just need to get a different camera then or is there adjustment somehow to make it better?

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

See if there is a firmware update on your cameras website. I updated my Kodak and it does a much better job with reds now.
My LT4 intake looked like it was pink, after the update, it was red again.

Oh, and that SS is Hugger Orange, not pepto bismol pink.

Sonar_un

that looks nicer than any photoshop job i've seen I think you are on to something Zepher.

Anyway, IHI, I used "Auto Color" in Photoshop. That feature is freaking excellent. I've seen it turn completely wrong colored things into pics that actually looked right.

As for your camera, I dont' think there is anything you can do about it. I have a $1k digital camera that I take pics with, and I still have to auto color some of my pictures. I just auto color all of them now with a batch process. It clears up any mis-coloring that can occur.

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

any updates on the 4th Gen dash install?????

D M N

thats awsome man

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I've got mine in the car already,

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

Plan on finishing this project......

You doing the HVAC or no?

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

no hvac on this car. I'll finish it if I don't sell it first.

CrazyHawaiian

Wooo! Getting me excited looking at all your progress. Few more months and I'll get started on my 91z. Cant wait!!

D M N

that seems like a simple mod i'm suprised more people dont do it

can someone post a supply list of what is used with prices i want to do this but i dont want to end up stopping for lack of funds

SSupaNatural

what is hvac?
is the gaugecluster a flat peice?
I have a 00' z28 dash but it was missing the gauge cluster ,so I want to use all autometer gauges mounted in a carbonfiber or stainlesssteel ...?backing plate?
If I use an electronic speedo, do I still need a dakota digital box?(92'z28 tpi with 94'z28 t56)
thanks for any help

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

hvac is Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning.

The cluster is a flat piece with an angled plastic face.

CrazyHawaiian

The autometer guages sounds like the best bet. The 98+ clusters are a PITA to get working anyway (digital odometer!). Or if you can find a 93-97 cluster I can help you wire it up.

D M N

will the 93-97 gagues fit and is it easier??

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

97+ has the digital odometer. If I remember right, the digital odometer comes on when power is applied to the cluster so there should be no issues with it.

93-96 Camaros have a different dash design.
93-02 Firebird and 97-02 Camaro have a similiar design and accept the same size cluster.

omnipotentgoku

iTrader: (1)

Im going to need help as well zepher.. i've assembled all parts except the 4th gen wiring harness (I have a 150mph speedo from a 97 formula) dakota digital box, and the door panels ... any idea where I can get the 4th gen connector for the speedo.. ?

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Which connector are you refferering to for the speedo?

D M N

wait i was reading it just hit me if you do this swap does the a/c work

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

It can if you want it too.

D M N

hey zepher whats your progress so far?? did you finish??

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I've been slacking.
I finally put the new cam in the other day and put the intake back on, but haven't touched anything else yet.

RSRagtop

Has anybody kept the airbags? I am seriously considering doing this to my 91' RS. But I want to keep the airbag. How do you get the HVAC controls to work? Could somebody post pics of the trimming they had to do the dash? Did any 4th gens have a tan interior, could somebody post a pic? Thanks

D M N

dam its been a month no one has posted any new stuff or progress

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I haven't done anything to the car in a month.
It's been raining a lot here and I've got to pull the car out of the garage a bit to work on it, so when it's wet outside, I can't work on my car.

D M N

Yea that sucks

Jstcrzyengh

iTrader: (2)

Well, anymore updates?

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

No updates from me. Been working on my motor still.

Jstcrzyengh

iTrader: (2)

Come on zepher what's a motor without a b*tchin interior to go along with it I already finished my motor it's just sitting waiting for the paint and interior. lol Any thoughts to making a custom gauge cluster with aftermarket gauges so everything matches up the same way? That way no wiring, except for maybe HVAC...

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Well since this thread is still going, I thought I share some great news and give you guys something to look forward to. We're packin up the RV and headin to Detroit tomorrow morning, my ole beater is going to be in Pontiac High Performance magazine, guess the editor of the mag. told the photographer with this assignment that the 4th gen dash is what pushed my car over the top against some tough competition so take that for what it's worth, not to mention the serious ooo and ahh factor you'll get when cruising or whatever with the updated interior-makes your car seem like a new one literally. Once we get back I hope to have more info about which issue, what the articlesis actually about, etc...all I know at this point is it's an article about 3rd gen firebird/TA that are streetable, sorta fast, and looks good. I still take my hat off to you fellas hooking up the factory dashes and HVAC. The swap is easy enough pending skills, but the overall wiring is where I'd run into headaches I had it easy since this is just a beater bracket racer with future dreams of running the outlaw class-drivetrain in the works right now for a next season teaser.

Jstcrzyengh

iTrader: (2)

Hey IHI that's good news.

Did you ever get the HVAC to work? I am doing the same thing you are doing and just replacing the gauges with autometer. Less wiring Headaches, however I want full HVAC capability, but I want the use of the 4th gen controls. They are "newer" than our thirdgen ones. Any help with that wiring? Once I get that all set I will be a happy guy.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, no HVAC experience here. I installed the dash/door panels/console cause I seen it could be done, hated the 3rd gen style, but wanted to keep weight to a minimum so everything behind the dash is gutted except for gagues and stereo-just a 1/4mi. mi. beater and a sunny day cruiser, like I said I am lucky I did'nt have to mess with that stuff. But for you other fellas with the time, money, and patience I'm sure you can get it all worked out. The fabrication part is probably the easiest, wiring it all up is gonna be a PITA until it's all finished Good luck.

tpiroc

Congrats, IHI; That's great. I do plan on converting to the 93 HVAC controls, and intend on doing an extensive How-To. I see so many 4th Gen dash installs with so little documentation! Anyway, it will be challenging but nothing's impossible. Unfortunately I drive the car 7 days a week and won't tackle it until Winter Break. I may do some prep research/work and post info I come across by tinkering with it. Sorry there's no meaty tech info, but am just really excited to dive into it

Jstcrzyengh

iTrader: (2)

TPIROC
Always been impressed with your car. Why are you choosing the 93 HVAC? Any particular reason? Is it you just found the dash from a 93? I was looking around and can get one from a 99+ pretty easily, but if the HVAC doesn't work than it is not worth it to me.

James

IHI

iTrader: (1)

If I can offer some more advice, when cutting the dash pad that extends up to the windsheild, be sure to install EXTRA support by the windsheild. I had my windsheild out when I cut mine to fit and thought I had plenty of xpanda foam and urethane to fill the gap and give support, sadly after a whole season of racing and street drving the little bounce I had in there was enough to crack the dash pad. If this was a 98 bird no problem, but after this is installed in our cars removing the windsheild is gonna be a task since the bottom of the windsheild is now inaccesible for cutting from the interior by about 4-5" since the new dashes rake is so different than original. Not to mention all the gunk I have in there that I thought would take care of any problems now will be a nightmare I suggest pulling the windsheild for dash pad carving exactness and then you can mask off the bottom of the windshield-on the interior side- and paint it flat black, otherwise you have a terrific veiw of the metal firewall and all the garbage behind the dash board. Maybe the maro's are different from the birds but this was my experience.