I'm always looking to operate outside the box and be somewhat unique and original, but has anyone ever given consideration or taken measurements of the C4 Corvette dash?
If you ask me, it looks like it MAY fit, also the door skins seem to have the door latch in about the same place as the Fieros.
Sorry for the large pics, linking this from an Ebay auction:
------------------ 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2M4
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03:30 PM
PFF
System Bot
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
The C4 dash is a good one. It went through a couple of iterations during it's run, from digital dash to a hybrid one shown here (after analog became more desirable.) Later versions had dual airbags.
Back when I was considering a custom dash I was using the C4 as inspiration, but I think a transplant would have some issues.
The door panels are long like the firebird, but the latches appear way too low. I think they would interfere with the regulators if you had power windows. The firebird location just barely works. Mine were interfering slightly until I bent the handles with brute force.
The tunnel on the C4 is even bigger than Fiero. I think way too big to make the wrap around dash fit properly.
The width is probably about the same. I'm sure it could be done, but there is another problem. I think it would be costly to aquire the corvette parts. C4s that are totalled cost more than most fieros that are running. I have bought a few corvette parts are they are expensive. But if someone gave me a C4 dash I would like to give it a shot.
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04:12 PM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
That would be an absolutly fantastic conversion. I say break out the tape measure and take some notes. I think it looks a lot like the Pisa wrap around dash. The cluster would have to be recalibrated for a V6 or you'd need a V8 to make it work correctly.
The door panels would require some serious surgery but if spaced far enough away from the Fiero door frame the door handles may work. That are low and it would make it a little more difficult.
It would take some $$BUCKS$$ and some guts to start hacking up a nice Corvette dash. But, if you got both... go for it .
------------------ Roy :D Blue 87 GT w/ 4th generation Firebird interior. Suncoast Fieros
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08:47 PM
Dec 22nd, 2002
DustoneGT Member
Posts: 1274 From: The U.S. Superstate Registered: Dec 2002
The Pyranha kit is about as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. It was created somewhere in Russia or eastern Europe and is not currently in production. About once a month someone claims that production is going to start up again but nothing ever becomes of it.
I decided to use the firebird interior as I think it looks as good as the pyranha and you can find it at any local junk yard.
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01:29 AM
DustoneGT Member
Posts: 1274 From: The U.S. Superstate Registered: Dec 2002
I depends on how much time you have. I have been working on this for about 4 months now, but my time is limted to a few hours here and a few hours there.
Certainly the work Roy and I are doing would make it easier. We have spent hundreds of hours trying to figure out how to do something, where all you would have to do is do it. If you had all the parts kitted up and ready to go you could probably complete the whole thing is a couple of weekends.
The thread shows my progress. I have a few things left to do before I can focus purely on the cosmetic little things.
I guess I'll have to be the lone negative voice in this one. WHY would you want to do that to a Fiero? Heck the stock dash looks way better than that thing does. Actually that is the first time I've seen the inside of a C4, I could never get past the ugly exterior. Just my $.03
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01:45 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I guess it's a matter of taste, but like I said the C4 had a few different dashes. The early C4s are from the same era as the Fiero and are very square and look just as dated now as the Fiero does (to me anyway).
The later C4s are from the early 90s and look better, (to me) than the Firebird. I always liked the wrap around dash as was kind of disappointed when they dropped it in the C5.
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01:56 AM
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mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
I guess I'll have to be the lone negative voice in this one. WHY would you want to do that to a Fiero? Heck the stock dash looks way better than that thing does. Actually that is the first time I've seen the inside of a C4, I could never get past the ugly exterior. Just my $.03
If I had to guess, I would say that your probably in the MINORITY with that opinion. But, that's OK, it's the USA... everyone gets his/her own opinion. At it great!
The Fiero dash is totally outdated. On the flip side, 1960s-70s bell bottoms, hip huggers, platform clogs, and loud colors are back in style. If we wait long enough, who knows...
------------------ Roy :D Blue 87 GT w/ 4th generation Firebird interior. Suncoast Fieros
If I had to guess, I would say that your probably in the MINORITY with that opinion. But, that's OK, it's the USA... everyone gets his/her own opinion. At it great!
Yea I know that I am very much a minority with my opinion. What can I say, I just don't like Vettes except maybe the C2 series.
God I love car-part.com, I can get that dash for 300 bucks. You can get the 98 dash for around the same price. It may include the gauge pod, but, I don't know. But that is a heck of a good price. The corvette dash isn't unreasonable. Maybe a good contender.
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01:40 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
lets see, i have a 1/25 scale fiero model in the build process and a 1/25 1996 Corvette model on the way to me, ill be able to find out if it fits in about a week
------------------ --Adam-- 1987 Blue GT 5-speed IM AOL: GTFiero Remember, always brush your milk, drink your teeth, dont do sleep and get eight hours of drugs
Drive it like you stole it...nice and slow so you dont get your @$$ caught by the cops
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05:15 PM
LT-5Fiero Member
Posts: 336 From: Charlotte, NC Registered: Oct 2002
God I love car-part.com, I can get that dash for 300 bucks. You can get the 98 dash for around the same price. It may include the gauge pod, but, I don't know. But that is a heck of a good price. The corvette dash isn't unreasonable. Maybe a good contender.
Awesome link! I totally bookmarked it
$350-$500 for a complete later C4 Corvette dash, plus my pick of the colors too! Not bad, not bad at all.
------------------ 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2M4
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08:57 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
lets see, i have a 1/25 scale fiero model in the build process and a 1/25 1996 Corvette model on the way to me, ill be able to find out if it fits in about a week
That was the full extent of my fitchecks I put a firebird 1/25 model dash in a 1/25 Fiero interior. And that was after I placed the order for the Firebird dash.
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10:08 PM
soup Member
Posts: 1572 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2001
What about the PISA wrap around dash, it almost looks the EXACT same. With a little more of a european/somewhat updated look. Plus by purchasing the PISA dash you will be helping to support the Fiero community... just my $.02
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10:34 PM
LT-5Fiero Member
Posts: 336 From: Charlotte, NC Registered: Oct 2002
What about the PISA wrap around dash, it almost looks the EXACT same. With a little more of a european/somewhat updated look. Plus by purchasing the PISA dash you will be helping to support the Fiero community... just my $.02
Link or pics?
I like the C4 dash, because it looks easy to work with. With the Firebird dash, you have A/C vents in only certain spots, but look at the C4, they are all over. It's not just that either, but the gauge cluster as well, digital meets analog.
------------------ 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2M4 Soon to become the LT-5 powered Pontiac Fiero ZR
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10:54 PM
mrfixit58 Member
Posts: 3330 From: Seffner, Fl, USA Registered: Jul 99
In general I like the PISA wrap around dash, but I think it's a little overpriced for a slight repackaging of the existing gauges.
And even though you get a new glove compartment you have to give up the existing one...and last but not least there are no cupholders!! (I will have three)
This thread has me thinking about trying a C4 dash in my coupe.
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02:15 AM
Tabs31 Member
Posts: 2049 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Nov 2001
First, my caveat. I don't own a C4. I'd love to, but it's out of my range at the moment.
But from what I've heard, the early all digital C4 dashes are a monster - as in really, really finnicky and problem prone. If you're thinking about this swap, it may be worth looking into the reliability of the dash. No one wants to put all sorts of time and money into a cool looking custom swap and then have it work badly on them.
It's really too bad, because I've always loved the cool light up effects on the early C4 dash...
Cheers, Andrew
------------------ www.andrewsfiero.ca Proud owner of an 85 coupe with 39k miles
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11:18 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
My has an 88 Vette with the 1st gen digital dash and he's had no problems for over 80K in 9 years, There are a bunch of companies that will rebuild those dashes. But I agree the 2nd gen is much nicer looking, I've even tried tot alk him in to swapping him out for the newer style.
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I guess I'll have to be the lone negative voice in this one. WHY 
would you want to do that to a Fiero? Heck the stock dash looks way better than that thing does. Actually that is the first time I've seen the inside of a C4, I could never get past the ugly exterior. 
