AustinT

When putting a t56 into a a car that had a mechanical speedo do I also need to get the gauge from the 4 gen car. I want it to look stock. All the cyberdyne does is recalibrate the speedometer. But what about the speedometer itself?

99Hawk120

You either need a box called "cable X" which drives a mechanical cable off an electrical signal; or to get the T56 machined for a mechanical cable by www.jagsthatrun.com

Or, you can convert to an electric speedometer, and use the cyberdyne box. My dash is cracked, so I'm putting in a 91 dash and that will give me an electric speedometer.

(edit Forget to mention, electric speedometers are 90-92 for Camaros and 86(?)-92 for firebirds.

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"Beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart, he dreams himself your master"

'84 Black Camaro ZZ4 M5 (V-6 in a former life) -- street beast
'91 Medium Blue Metallic Z28 A4 (UB-HSTRY's old ride) -- currently broken
'99 Navy Blue Metallic Firehawk #120 M6 (99.44% stock) -- daily driver

[This message has been edited by 99Hawk120 (edited January 31, 2001).]

AustinT

I have an 89 with the standard gauges. What gauge would be a direct fit? Do I have to swap all of my gauges. I would also Like to leave leave the stock look?

AustinT

I just emailed Third gen resource and they have a cluster from a 91 or 92 for $75 Is this a direct swap? will everthing else like my Tach,temp,oil pressure hook up ok to the stock harness in the 89 camaro?

99Hawk120

I don't think it's a direct swap. I've had both of them side by side and they bolt in completely differently. HOWEVER, the gauge cluster would physically connect in; you might be able to figure out a way to make it work.

A full dash is a complete swap but a TOTAL PITA.

CHCKLS

Swapping dashes is not as hard as you think it is. I just would not recommend doing it in July's 95* weather with no shade.

Other than that it took about 6 (afternoon and nights) days to make double sure that I had the connectors re-pinned correctly for the instrument cluster. The actual physical work took only maybe three hours at the most from start to complete. Using my existing wire harness.

I swapped a 92 dash into my 89 Convertible and have pics if interested.

HTH

CHCKLS

One other thing. I would not recommend Cyberdyne's calibration box after Cyberdyne told me that THEY do not recommend thier box for ANY GM car.

Go to Dakota Digital's website and look under accessories, find 'speedometer interface' it should be part number SGI-5. You need to make sure the ECM gets the correct vehicle speed otherwise you fuel consumption will be extremly high.

HTH

AustinT

So I cant just swap in a gauge cluster? Are they the same shape that I could build a bracket to bolt the new cluster to

99Hawk120

They are close to the same shape; but I think you've got some work cut out for you if you want it to look decent. The bexel on the new gauges won't match up with the mounting holes for the old one.

FormulaJoe

Dude...Austin, why are going to swap gauge clusters? Your 89 already has an electronic speedo..

I am using the cyberdyne box on my 88 Formula with the T56. I have all stock gauges.

That cyberdyne box is roughly 100 bones. See, the stock speedo is calibbrated for a certain PPM (pulses per mile) value that correlates with the 700R4. It just so happens that the T56 output signal to the speedo has a higher value for the PPM, so obviously, the speedo is gonna be way wrong.

The cyberdyne box just corrects all this. And I might add that I think it is a P.O.S. personally. Its a biiaatch to get it set just right. Sometimes, it will change by itself. SOmetimes while I am at a stoplight, the speedo will just jump up to like 80 or 90 MPH at the stoplight!!

I think its crap.

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L98, 3.27 9-bolt, Hooker shorty headers, custom 2.5inch Y-pipe, no cat, 3inch 2chamber flowmaster, JET AFPR, Ported MAF, Best ET: 13.86 @100mph. 1.99 60'
17 inch ROH "ZS" wheels. 17x8.5(front) and 17x9.5 (rear). Firestone Firehawk SZ50s. 245/45/zr17s and 275/40/zr17s. T56

On the way... Radar Blue 89 Formula, T56, Ram Jet 430, Ram Air, 17inch ROHs.

Birmass

Formula Joe - I have teh same problem with mine!!! It sucks. Changes on it's own and Jumps around when the car isn't moving. I also can't get it set right. Right now it reads about 10mph above where it should be. I can't get it down to the right speed. It's either 10mph over or it drops down and doesn't register anything. I'm gonna get in touch with dakota digitial and try their calibration box. It looks like a higher quality unit.

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88 firebird formula
350 Vortec TBI
214int/224exh, .471int/.491exh
Edelbrock headers
SIX-speed
open 3.73's
2 1/4 stock catback
I love pissing those LS1's off
My Formula

AustinT

I have a 89 camaro with a mechanical speedo I think 90 is when they swapped to a electric speedo in the camaro. Im just about to give up on this cluster Idea and get the cable X

99Hawk120

No, he does not. Firebirds changed at a different time than Camaro's did. First year for an electric speedo was 1990 in the Chevy. The Poncho was sometime around 1986; I'm not exactly sure.

[This message has been edited by 99Hawk120 (edited February 02, 2001).]