ChevyGuy87

ok, about a month ago, i got a 85 trans am as a project car. but it doesnt have a tilt steering column. can i put the column from my 87 camaro in the trans am, or do i have to search the junkyards for a trans am to get one from?

RSRagtop

I think it should swap ok, but I would get all the parts off the junkyard car in case some little parts are differant. I'm not 100% on this but I can't think of a reason why this swap wouldn't work, might want to like for another Firebird though in case some of the trim is differant.

deadbird

The columns are dead up the same (given same optins). The only difference is the standard shift columns had some little ignition lock tab thing to keep you from turning the Ign all the way to the 'off' position unless you pushed the tab. That & the years that had VATS are different becaust of the Ign. cyls.

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ChevyGuy87

i forgot to mention, the camaro is an auto with delay wipers, and the trans am is a 5 speed without delay wipers. still doable?

okfoz

yeah, I was wondering about that, I am not positive of the year change but I think it is from around 84 to about 88 or so the colums were all the same, There are actually 4 Different column changes for our cars,

1) 1982 the original
2) 1984 or 1985? thru 1987 The second series started in 84/85 & they changed the cruise handle, looks the same, but they went to an electronic Cruise module.
3) 1988 / 1989 the cruise handle changed once again, STILL looks the same, but the wire for the cruise handle was shortend to about 6" instead of 30". There was a little access box where you can access the plug.
4) 1990 The airbag appeared thru 92

I think they would all be reasonably interchangable IF you have the right parts, and are willing to modify them.

John

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87 Formula 5.1 TPI Auto Modified (Yellow/Black)
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14.8sec 1967 Buick Riviera
1990 Buick Riviera (driver)
83 Camaro
83 T/A

deadbird

The column will work fine but you'll need 2 things.

1) The ignition switch from the T/A. Automatics have a thing on the switch to lockout the shifter when the car is off. You won't be needing the in a 5-speed.

2) The wiper motor from the camaro. While the wipers will work if the column has delay wiper option, it'll be real funky to turn them on & you won't have the high speed. The motor assembly itself has all the crap in it to work with the switch in the column. All you have to do it merely plug the mew motor/assembly in place of the old one & voila,, delay wipers. At least that's how it worked on my camaro when I replaced the column in it.

Blue502

The column will work fine. The column in my '86 Camaro isn't even out of a Camaro, it is out of an '86 Monte Carlo SS, and is exactly the same. Steering columns are very interchangable, even though there are differences in options and shapes between years.

I put a column out of a mid 80's Buick into my '67 Olds 442 (I added a late model steering box too, but that is another story). It was a direct bolt in, but of course the new column gave me high beams, delay wipers, as well as the ignition switch all on the column. Allowed me to really update the functionality of the interior of my classic muscle without being overly obvious (which wasn't totally stock to begin with).

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