nosajwols

iTrader: (1)

I am in starting a t56 swap in my 82 and I will need to deal with the speedo, and need (want) some input before I try the below. The speedo in the car now is a mechanical from an 85 (IIRC), it is the 240 kph (145 mph) one. So I will need to get the VSS from the t56 to some gauge to read speed... For the crowd I will stay imperial, but in the end the conversion will likely be metric.

For the conversion, I want to keep things looking stockish (knowing I am not 100% stock now with the speedo). I am not to jazzed on the idea of the electric to mechanical conversion boxes based on comments from other people who have done it and also based on price. I also do not want to run an aftermarket speedo.

Looking at options, I may have come up with a unique one. What I am thinking is can I use a 120mph firebird electric speedo mechanism, remove the face and needle and attach it to my current face and needle. (then use a dakota box to convert and fine tune the pulse rate).

The 120 firebird electric speedo has 0 at the ~6 o'clock position and 120 at the 3 o'clock position. My current camaro 145 mechanical speedo has 0 at the ~6 o'clock and 120 at roughly the 3 o'clock but it then continues on past this point to 145. From pics on the net the odo windows (and trip reset) look really close, I can always make minor adjustments on the face. The mounting screws are way off but I have a drill and some watch making tools... I want the speed to read correctly, less concerned about the odo. If all works I will have a completely stock looking Camaro 145 electric speedo!

Now my main questions:

1) Will the firebird 120 speedo continue on past the 120 point if you are going faster than this (does it continue to sweep, knowing it is likely losing what little accuracy it had). Not a big deal because I do not see myself going faster than 120 too often... Sort of nice to have.

2) Is the firebird speedo more or less stand alone (can I apply the pulses directly to the circuit board). This is critical and I have no idea and cannot find any info.

3) Has anyone tried this? Is this a really stupid idea?

Given the cost of a used 120 firebird speedo and a dakota box I am looking at a budget in the 100 to 150 range, about as cheap as it can get for this part of the t56 install.

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

I have that speedo in my TA. I can set my dakota digital box to make the speedo read super fast and see if it goes past 120. I might have a chance tomorrow to do that for you.

nosajwols

iTrader: (1)

Thanks in advance, don't go crazy we don't want to break the needle off...!

Do you know if the dakota box can be connected directly to the speedo?

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

Thats how mine is. My car was a mechanical speedo and I ran a wire right out of the dash and into the dakota box when I converted to the 89 cluster I have now.