Digital Gauges Upgrade
#1
Digital Gauges Upgrade
I have an 89 GTA 5.7 with analog dash. I am getting ready for LS3 and transmission upgrade. The shop is recommending Dakota Digital upgrade. I have been digging around and not sure what is compatible on their website. The Autometer Phantom 2 also caught my eye. I am seeing Intellitronix on EBay but I would prefer a moving needle with electronic if possible. Seems the more I research the more options and confusion I am wading through. The Phantom 2 attached is beautiful but is listed as compatible 82-84
Any suggestions Pro and con is welcome.
Any suggestions Pro and con is welcome.
Last edited by DoyleP; 10-22-2024 at 06:20 PM.
#2
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 682
From: Colorado USA
Car: '83 Firebird (T/A Clone)
Engine: 350 carbed with L-69 components
Transmission: 700R-4 w/2000 RPM stall converter
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 ..
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
Dakota Digital currently does not offer digital gauges for the thirdgen Firebird...
#3
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 456
From: Rochester NY
Car: 1984 TA (1 stock / 1 custom)
Engine: LG4 / turbo LQ4
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L80E
Axle/Gears: Stock / 3:50 Moser 9"
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
i have Intellitronix gauges in my LS swap Trans Am. i like the way they look but they were definitely not a plug and play, easy install. you can see my review of their product HERE
if i had to do it again i would purchase dakota digital gauges. i reached out to them a few years ago and at that time, the quoted a little over $1K for a custom cluster. you'd have to send yours in for them to make it.
if i had to do it again i would purchase dakota digital gauges. i reached out to them a few years ago and at that time, the quoted a little over $1K for a custom cluster. you'd have to send yours in for them to make it.
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T.L. (10-22-2024)
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 541
Likes: 149
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
This is my classic dash setup w auto meter gauges. I made a harness myself. Not the least expensive way to go but the setup works great and I'm really happy w it. Install was super easy after 4-5 hours of making a harness!!
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DoyleP (10-23-2024)
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 541
Likes: 149
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
I think the speed hut ones are less work and less money than the auto meter setup I did. I heard they came pre wired(?) They also look really good! They're kind of a win-win!
That staple shifter is really neat. How'd you do that? I've never seen that in one of these. It looks really well done.
That staple shifter is really neat. How'd you do that? I've never seen that in one of these. It looks really well done.
The following users liked this post:
DoyleP (10-23-2024)
#7
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 456
From: Rochester NY
Car: 1984 TA (1 stock / 1 custom)
Engine: LG4 / turbo LQ4
Transmission: 700R4 / 4L80E
Axle/Gears: Stock / 3:50 Moser 9"
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
painless performance makes a universal gauge harness that would probably make the install a little easier
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-30302
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-30302
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#8
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,384
Likes: 432
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
painless performance makes a universal gauge harness that would probably make the install a little easier
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-30302
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-30302
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 541
Likes: 149
From: CT
Car: 82 TA
Engine: Zz430 clone
Transmission: Magnum f
Axle/Gears: Ford 9 w 4.11
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
I looked at that and the others available. I felt like w the amount I was gonna have to modify them to fit the car well it wasn't worth it. There's not a lot of extra room behind the gauges for excess wire. I'm also kind of a pain in the *** about excess wire and it all being really neat. I wonder if the speed hut wires plug into the OEM connectors?
#10
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,384
Likes: 432
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
I looked at that and the others available. I felt like w the amount I was gonna have to modify them to fit the car well it wasn't worth it. There's not a lot of extra room behind the gauges for excess wire. I'm also kind of a pain in the *** about excess wire and it all being really neat. I wonder if the speed hut wires plug into the OEM connectors?
Last edited by ShiftyCapone; 10-23-2024 at 09:34 PM.
#11
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 350
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
I think the speed hut ones are less work and less money than the auto meter setup I did. I heard they came pre wired(?) They also look really good! They're kind of a win-win!
That staple shifter is really neat. How'd you do that? I've never seen that in one of these. It looks really well done.
That staple shifter is really neat. How'd you do that? I've never seen that in one of these. It looks really well done.
I posted a thread on the shifter handle. It's basically the stock shifter with an original horse shoe handle adapted on.
Last edited by 84 1LE; 10-24-2024 at 07:11 AM.
#12
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
I appreciate all the input. I realize when searching the compatibility listings were for the OEM connectors to replace dash gauges. Since this is going for LS Swap I just need to find gauges that fit the original dash. Simply measuring the holes and finding gauges that fit. That changes the way I research.
#13
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 350
From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Digital Gauges Upgrade
What's your mounting depth? That's probably the limiting factor.
Last edited by 84 1LE; 10-25-2024 at 12:05 PM.
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