Here are a few more pics...but make sure the check out the ones in the previous post as they're the dash pics

That looks really good, however if it were me; instead of trying to reuse the dated fiero cluster, I think I would purchase aftermarket gauges. I don't know if Dakota Digital makes a custom fit digital dash or not, but if they don't you could always go with Autometer analog gauges. I would think it would look a lot cleaner and more custom.

quote Originally posted by fieroluv: That looks really good, however if it were me; instead of trying to reuse the dated fiero cluster, I think I would purchase aftermarket gauges. I don't know if Dakota Digital makes a custom fit digital dash or not, but if they don't you could always go with Autometer analog gauges. I would think it would look a lot cleaner and more custom.

Yes, that was one of the things I had talked about in the post I lost...

There's no way I'll use the Fiero gauge cluster...

My options:
early C4 Digital Cluster


94 Camaro Cluster


Or any number of aftermarket gauges from Autometer, VDO, etc? I'm having a tremendously difficult time making a decision here...

quote Originally posted by fieroluv: That looks really good, however if it were me; instead of trying to reuse the dated fiero cluster, I think I would purchase aftermarket gauges.

I agree...the Fiero cluster is easily the most dated thing about our cars. I would use just about anything other than the stock Fiero guages. There are too many other nice options out there. the Camaro cluster looks nice. The later Camaro cluster looks virtually identical to the Firebird. Just stay below 1997 to avoid any electrical problems.

What year are you planning on using the cluster from (Corvette) - I can probably dig up a diagram and let know if it will work

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: What year are you planning on using the cluster from (Corvette) - I can probably dig up a diagram and let know if it will work

I'm interested to see the diagram for the early C4 cluster, I think it ran from 84 to about 89 or 90.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 03-27-2007).]

quote Originally posted by pacethis: Unless of course someone has made the LS motors fit better than the other 350 motors I've seen, which required pulleys wrapped into the wheel well area...

my 350 (355ci) small block fit just fine,

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AIM:Onefast2M8
03 Xtreme 4.3 5 speed
02 Jetta 1.8t

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: What year are you planning on using the cluster from (Corvette) - I can probably dig up a diagram and let know if it will work

The cluster I'm currently looking at is from an 86, though they one shown was made for 84-89 Model years... I'd be much appreciative if you can find out if it would work...I don't know much about them, but have just been looking at older clusters to increase my chances of getting a compatible one...

Ok, here is the 86 cluster diagram - looks like it should work:

NOTE: this is for 86 only - the clusters pinout/wiring are different for the different years. So this is NOT one that fits all. There are also physical electronic differences between the years as well.



I always liked the C4 clusters - but be careful, if you can see any of the segments that are not suppose to be on, the LCD display (glass part only) is no good and needs to be replaced (the common term that is used for this problem is 'sunburnt display'). Quick test (with no power), shine a flashlight through the back where the bulbs are (remove the bulbs and shine the light through the hole), if any segments light up then it has the problem (usually a bunch will 'light' up). These people sells new lens: http://instrumentclusters.com/corvette.html

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 03-29-2007).]

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: Ok, here is the 86 cluster diagram - looks like it should work:

Hey Tim,

Do you have the drawing for an 89 Corvette Cluster?

I know there are subtle differences such that they don't officially interchange for all years 84-89, but I bet they are close.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Hey Tim, Do you have the drawing for an 89 Corvette Cluster? I know there are subtle differences such that they don't officially interchange for all years 84-89, but I bet they are close.

89 cluster:


It's been some time since I worked on one if these so I forget the exact years where the differences are. I 'think' the 84 is all alone, and then there are 2 more groups - but where the split is I don't recall off hand. Anyways, there is the 89 diagram just in case it is one of the cross over years.

Thanks Tim,

People talk about all Fiero gauges as being interchangeable, but we know of course there are sublte differences between the years...

built-in cruise (84), volt meter in tach (84), oil pressure in tach (85-88), back lit (85-88), side lit (86-88), etc. On paper very few of the gauges interchange, but they work reasonably well.

I have a great idea for you: Since the Corvette dash looks kind of "cheap" and plastic-y IMHO, I found some inspiration to make it look very classy, yet sporty.

Interior shot (sorry about the 100k+, but it's the only pic I found so far)


Some shots of what he rest of the car looks like (for completeness sake/inspiration)






I first saw that car at the Monterey Car Auction where I got a chance to talk to company reps. It's a coachbuilder that builds "retro" looking sportsters based on the C6 Corvette drivetrain (and I guess interior). In person one has a hard time recognizing it as a Corvette interior, unless one is familliar with C6 Corvettes.
Their website is: http://www.anterosmarketing.com/

I hope those design cues help you with inspiration for your interior.

-M

[This message has been edited by Austrian Import (edited 04-11-2007).]

Now that is one sexy car!

That is a great looking car! I also love what they've done to the interior. The C5 interior is cheap and plasticy...but so much better than the Fiero interior. Actually, if you want supercar refinement, it's as close as www.caravaggio.com. John Caravaggio does reupholstery of all the C5 items in leather, albeit at around $10-12k for an entire interior.

Here are a few update photos!

I'm getting ready to rip it all out, and make the final adjustments/cuts on new interior pieces. The ones I used for the mockup will go on eBay to recoup some costs. I just couldn't bear to make markings/adjustments on the expensive ones!

quote Originally posted by pacethis: Here are a few update photos!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...dZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Looks great by the way.

quote Originally posted by whereatt: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...dZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Looks great by the way.

So let me get this straight... You have another pristine Corvette Dash that you intend to modify and install in your Fiero and this dash is on eBay right now for sale?

Jon .. yep, starting bid $500.

pace - when you install your gauges, be sure to include the "Check Engine" light. Not only is it a good idea, but is also required in some states for smogging. California-based Nordskog usually does NOT include this in their dashes (although the light IS REQUIRED in california for snogging ! )

quote Originally posted by jscott1: So let me get this straight... You have another pristine Corvette Dash that you intend to modify and install in your Fiero and this dash is on eBay right now for sale?

Yes, all correct. When I started the project, I didn't want to cut up a perfectly good Corvette dash, even though I had one laying around. My main business is retrofitting HUD kits in early C5's, so I deal with the dashes often.

So instead, I used a part that had some scratches from a windshield. Once I installed it far enough to be satisfied that it would look awesome, I'm ready to start stage II by using the mint dashpad.

In the end, I cut off much of the area that bothered me anyway as I cut off more than half the back of the dashpad anyway. That combined with the closeness to the windshield makes this useable...but I want perfect. So, I'm putting the entire setup on eBay for about what I have in it, not counting my time in cutting/custom fitting. It should make someone a nice dash project...much of the work is already done.

And...it should be easier the 2nd go around for me as I know exactly where to cut it to get it in. I'm really quite excited about finishing it up...but time is limited (exams this week and next). I've also been finishing my other project (a 97 Corvette coupe, which is now a convertible) which takes up time as well...

quote Originally posted by PaulJK: Jon .. yep, starting bid $500. pace - when you install your gauges, be sure to include the "Check Engine" light. Not only is it a good idea, but is also required in some states for smogging. California-based Nordskog usually does NOT include this in their dashes (although the light IS REQUIRED in california for snogging ! )

I'll see what I can come up with...I really like the nordskog guages, and he gave me a special price. That combined with the fact that I can install them in the Corvette bezel with minimum modification makes them very attractive. I'll have to take a look at the wiring, are all the little lights controlled by separate wires, or by the actual circuitry of the cluster? Maybe I can make something work...

Your first dash is a great deal for someone looking to install a custom dash.

I would consider it, but I have invested too much time, money and harware in the Firebird dash to start over. Good luck and I can't wait to see the finished product.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Your first dash is a great deal for someone looking to install a custom dash. I would consider it, but I have invested too much time, money and harware in the Firebird dash to start over. Good luck and I can't wait to see the finished product.

I can understand that!

It would be a better deal, but the supporting trim for it adds up in $$ quickly. If someone here just wanted the dash shell itself, I'd sell it for $150 plus shipping. It would however, easily cost the difference to get the rest of the parts eventually.

Josh

Yeah the Corvette trim parts are not cheap. In fact anything associated with Corvette is not cheap. The advantage to the F-body is that they made the 4th gen from 93 to 2002 largely unchanged and they are showing up in larger numbers in the junk yard.

Nice dash especially if a person has a Corvette LS1/2 engine. Any close-ups of the area near the widsheild?

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"Anyone can make a copy of something, it may look good but it ever is the real car. Make something from your imagination, something unique, something nobody has, anything is possible and, ideas can be a reality."

EDIT: never mind i see im to late with the e-bay link

[This message has been edited by Red97 (edited 04-29-2007).]

quote Originally posted by jscott1: ...they are showing up in larger numbers in the junk yard.

...I wish this was true around me...I had to piece together so many different parts...

Looks like the Vette console is a nicer fit than the f-body one

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: ...I wish this was true around me...I had to piece together so many different parts... Looks like the Vette console is a nicer fit than the f-body one

It's much closer than I'd even hoped for. It's so close of a fit that I could drive around without ever securing it down...it's snug with a friction fit on the carpet...

In fact, I currently have 3 screws holding the entire dash/console in/together.

wow, i just came across this. amazing. i was going to try this on my fiero. 94-96 c4 dash n gauges too. in my c4 i was going to do a c5 dash n gauges as i had the gauges and hud

Shhhheeeezzzzzz, does this mean I should stop my Firebird install & go with the Vette????

I will never be done!

Outstanding job!

John

Any updates? I am keeping an eye on this thread. I am looking for a dash as I write this.

Don Z.

[This message has been edited by 3.8 SC (edited 08-20-2007).]

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Yeah it doesn't look good for a mechanical plug and play solution like the Firebird. I didn't even see a tach signal. If you could get one of the real smart guys like Riceburner98 he might be able to design an interface. Otherwise you probably want to put in aftermarket gauges in the housing like you stated earlier.

LOL! Funny that this thread popped up again, and hasn't been posted in by someone in particular... I've talked with someone who's going to do the C5 dash and wants to get the gauges working, so he's going to send me a C5 cluster so I can make an adapter board for it... Wish I had seen the post back in February when the above quoted text came up. It may not be easy, but I'll get it working. Pretty sure I'm *not* going to be able to duplicate the serial data stream coming from all the computer modules, so what I'll do is make a driver board that basically bypasses the stock circuitry on the cluster, and drives the gauge movements directly. It will interpret the Fiero signals, then do some calculations and drive the needles. The downside is, the cool Vacuum Flourescent display on the bottom of the cluster that shows trouble codes and other info won't work. I think that's where the Odometer appears too, so it will likely be replaced by an LED cluster for an Odometer. Or if I get real fancy I'll get that stock Flourescent display working as the Odometer. Time will tell....... Like I need another project. LOL Oh yeah - Mickey_Moose - is there any chance of posting any diagrams of the '99 cluster? I believe that's what I'll be working with... Anything would help!

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Bob Williams
Working on the next 3800 swap, it works now!!!

[This message has been edited by Riceburner98 (edited 08-21-2007).]

quote Originally posted by Riceburner98: I've talked with someone who's going to do the C5 dash and wants to get the gauges working, so he's going to send me a C5 cluster so I can make an adapter board for it... It may not be easy, but I'll get it working.

See, I knew you could do it.

quote Originally posted by Riceburner98: Oh yeah - Mickey_Moose - is there any chance of posting any diagrams of the '99 cluster? I believe that's what I'll be working with... Anything would help!

...yea, right after you finish the Firebird switch for me

...anyways, here is the 99 Vette cluster diagram:

Hey guys...this thread came back from the dead

The dash has been replaced with another now, better condition than the first, slightly better fitment. Carpets are done, old red/black seats ripped out, replaced with Fiero seats (Mr. Mikes leather). Right now, my holdup is gauges, I've got JScott1 working on them as we speak. After I get them back, it'll give me a kick to finish up the interior and post some more photos.

Of course, if someone gets the C5 gauges working in any form, I'd love to get them and install them at a later date. I ended up settling for Camaro guages at this point in time as I didn't have the skill or contacts to get the C5 gauges working.

As with many of the cars destined for greatness on this forum, the projects take time, but I'll be sure to update as things progress. Right now, I've got the fastback body mostly in place

Nice looking dash mod.

How about a photo of where the new dash meets the window and what was required there?

Thanks

quote Originally posted by pacethis: Right now, my holdup is gauges, I've got JScott1 working on them as we speak. After I get them back, it'll give me a kick to finish up the interior and post some more photos.

Okay, now that you let the cat out the bag...(you were anonymous in the other thread) But the part I'm waiting for should arrive today. I'll ship as soon as it gets here.

They will look good in that dash:



This dash looks really nice, nicer than the Firebird, but for most of us without access to inexpensive Corvette parts maybe a bit more expensive.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 08-21-2007).]

Is this photo of the Corvette gauges, or the Camero set?