Im buying a new firebird next week, but i already know the speedometer is gona bug me.

Ok, my 83 TA has a 85mph speedo in it. its in a 4 gauge dash. my 85 also had an 85mph speedo, and i used to wrap the needle back to the 15-20mph mark on the highway on my way to work, but i never knew how fast i was going.
I ended up selling the 85, because it was impounded. I wanted another firebird, so this is what i found. but like i said the speedo isnt gona cut it for me.
Does anyone know of a swap i could do in the 83, remember its the older style interior, or has anyone put an aftermarket speedometer in the stock spot in these cars, and how did it work out?

I would appreciate any feedback, and sorry if the post was a little nonsensical, because its late, and im tired.

Thanks.

 

The 82-85 used a mechanical speedo (cable driven) That is about all I can tell you... hope it helps.

John

 

My buddy put a autometer 160 or 180 MPH speedo in his 84 T/A in the stock location, it's the same dash like a 83.he had to do a little cutting to the cluster (white plastic everything sits in) i don't have any pics but his name on here is transam84.

 

There was a post on here long, long ago that had information about a company that made a "gear reduction box" that piggybacked to the mechanical speedo.

Basically, its purpose was to cut the speedometer reading in 1/2 (so when it read 50mph you were going 100mph). Then you could just print up a custom guage face with new numbering up to 170mph.

I can't for the life of me find the post though. I think the title was "170mph speedo" or something. I should've printed it. I was planning on doing that to my '83.

Can anyone else find this post? Or does anyone have the information saved?

 

Thats interesting..... But what about the odometer? Would the mileage be incorrect?

 

i want to replace my guages in my 87 but i cant really do anything about the odometer, i need it so i can tell when i need to take it to the engine guy so he can do my free oil change. and i need it to keep records. what other guages do we all need for out cars? i know most of us have questions about this, so y not ask them now

 

From 86-92 Firebirds with the electric speedo are all interchangable, the cool thing is you can swap out the odometer so you can keep it accurate, they all line up the same

I have an 85, 120 and 140 speedo's in my collection and they all appear to be the same except for the circuit board.

I should add that if you have the idiot light package your stuck with a cable speedo, the above is only for the gage package.

John