NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
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NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
CALLING ALL FIREBIRD OWNERS!!
We are looking into getting some replacement Firebird gauges built that match the OEM design and layout. Take a second and leave some feedback on these two design choices.
In one picture you will see the grid design that came in the 1985-1992 Firebirds. I have done my best to make the grid pattern similar in size and color as the original grid. The yellow warning zones on the factory gauges have a different graphic that what is shown. I am working on having this match as well. You will also see that one gauge on the lower right has a border around the labels for the gauges. This was my attempt at making them match the factory warning light cutouts. (These are not the final matching OEM shape yet either.) These will be backlit RED like the OEM gauges.
The all black version is designed to be like the 82-84 Firebird gauges. I have an example show that places the numbers to the outside of the gauges like factory. Unfortunately the length of the stock needle the manufacturer uses kind of covers up the lines of the gauges and looked bad. I made the needles smaller for this mockup. I am not sure if this is a change the manufacturer will be willing to make or not just yet. But I have tried to make the numbers to the inside version look as OEM as possible with the longer needles. These will be backlit WHITE.
I do still need to find a more OEM font choice. This is the default font the manufacturer uses and I will be changing it to match the OEM font as much as possible.
I am trying to use this post to feel out the interest for a product like this. I want your feedback and input on these while they are still being designed so you get a finished product that you love!
1982-1984 Style Gauges OEM Design
1985-1992 Style Gauges OEM Design
On another note..... We may have a lead on some really cool parts to have the GTA Digital Dash reproduced with modern tech/screens. This would be a more expensive option than the gauges pictured here as it would probably use 3 different LCD displays to make a factory style setup and would be very custom... but it could be installed into standard Firebirds that did not come with a digital setup and could have a few new and fun features that the original Digital Dashes did not have. It also would be able to be wired up traditionally or plugged into a Holley, FiTech or Haltech ecu on swapped cars.
We are looking into getting some replacement Firebird gauges built that match the OEM design and layout. Take a second and leave some feedback on these two design choices.
In one picture you will see the grid design that came in the 1985-1992 Firebirds. I have done my best to make the grid pattern similar in size and color as the original grid. The yellow warning zones on the factory gauges have a different graphic that what is shown. I am working on having this match as well. You will also see that one gauge on the lower right has a border around the labels for the gauges. This was my attempt at making them match the factory warning light cutouts. (These are not the final matching OEM shape yet either.) These will be backlit RED like the OEM gauges.
The all black version is designed to be like the 82-84 Firebird gauges. I have an example show that places the numbers to the outside of the gauges like factory. Unfortunately the length of the stock needle the manufacturer uses kind of covers up the lines of the gauges and looked bad. I made the needles smaller for this mockup. I am not sure if this is a change the manufacturer will be willing to make or not just yet. But I have tried to make the numbers to the inside version look as OEM as possible with the longer needles. These will be backlit WHITE.
I do still need to find a more OEM font choice. This is the default font the manufacturer uses and I will be changing it to match the OEM font as much as possible.
I am trying to use this post to feel out the interest for a product like this. I want your feedback and input on these while they are still being designed so you get a finished product that you love!
1982-1984 Style Gauges OEM Design
1985-1992 Style Gauges OEM Design
On another note..... We may have a lead on some really cool parts to have the GTA Digital Dash reproduced with modern tech/screens. This would be a more expensive option than the gauges pictured here as it would probably use 3 different LCD displays to make a factory style setup and would be very custom... but it could be installed into standard Firebirds that did not come with a digital setup and could have a few new and fun features that the original Digital Dashes did not have. It also would be able to be wired up traditionally or plugged into a Holley, FiTech or Haltech ecu on swapped cars.
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Pino91Form (11-07-2023)
#2
Member
Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Both look awesome. Are they gonna plug into the current gauge cluster or have their own mounts,wiring harness and sending units?
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SbFormula (09-25-2023)
#3
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
These are like most aftermarket gauges where you will need to wire them in. Not a drop in replacement for the factory gauges. Similar to the rest of aftermarket gauges like Dakota Digital and such.
#4
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Awesome, thanks. Let me know if you need a Guinea pig to try out an 82-84 set!!
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Seth@Hawks (09-22-2023)
#5
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Glad you guys are producing parts but what I’d really like to see is reproduction 82-84 Firebird dash buttons: hatch pop, defrost, etc… Every owner with an 82-84 bird needs new buttons cause the factory ones all aged terribly.
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WhiteBlaze (10-08-2023)
#6
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
I have been watching for a good set to show up for reproducing actually. I have a bunch of switches in process actually.
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DynoDave43 (09-23-2023), WhiteBlaze (10-08-2023)
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
I would suggest a dark flat color for the ring, nothing metallic like what is shown. Make that ring disappear into the factory bezel, not stand out.
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#8
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
I didn't even notice the ring, I was looking at the numbers, needles and other details. Your totally right, the ring should blend in some how.
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
As someone who added metal trim rings to his factory gauges, I'm not sure.
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Roorancher (09-23-2023)
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Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Seth,
They both look great!......but I'm trying to keep both my Verts as close to original as possible.......I did however just the other day notice that you had the white overlays with the 80MPH Speedo on sale/clearance that would fit my 91 TA Vert. Do you have any for the 140MPH Speedo, or will you be getting them again?
Maybe it's because I'm about to be 70, but it's difficult for me to read the instruments top up, sunglasses on, and I desperately need a fix.
Thanks!
They both look great!......but I'm trying to keep both my Verts as close to original as possible.......I did however just the other day notice that you had the white overlays with the 80MPH Speedo on sale/clearance that would fit my 91 TA Vert. Do you have any for the 140MPH Speedo, or will you be getting them again?
Maybe it's because I'm about to be 70, but it's difficult for me to read the instruments top up, sunglasses on, and I desperately need a fix.
Thanks!
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
I am VERY interested in what you have cooking for a digital dash setup that mimics the OEM digital dash. Having a factory looking setup that you can run a holley efi interface from would be cool. I've always liked the digital dashes, but the factory units are too much of a pain to swap in and their 80s tech is showing their age.
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Speedhut will print any background graphic you send them. Anybody can do that, it is not the hard part.
The problem with gauges like this is a person has to literally destroy their gauge pod to open up space. And then they have to figure out a plate system to mount to because the gauges don't actually fit properly in the outer bezel. Are you providing those solutions or are you just selling gauges? (Mounting gauges in the early car dash is easier than in the later cars.)
There is a way to avoid running new wires but you need gauges compatible with OEM coolant temp and oil pressure sensors. Speedhut used to be compatible but they made that design obsolete after getting tired of tech calls from people with bad wiring in their old cars. If you can convince Speedhut to resurrect those old circuit boards then you suddenly have a solution that will wire in to the stock harness with an adapter pigtail. And then you can have another adapter pigtail to go back to stock.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 09-24-2023 at 02:35 AM.
#13
Junior Member
Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Seth,
They both look great!......but I'm trying to keep both my Verts as close to original as possible.......I did however just the other day notice that you had the white overlays with the 80MPH Speedo on sale/clearance that would fit my 91 TA Vert. Do you have any for the 140MPH Speedo, or will you be getting them again?
Maybe it's because I'm about to be 70, but it's difficult for me to read the instruments top up, sunglasses on, and I desperately need a fix.
Thanks!
They both look great!......but I'm trying to keep both my Verts as close to original as possible.......I did however just the other day notice that you had the white overlays with the 80MPH Speedo on sale/clearance that would fit my 91 TA Vert. Do you have any for the 140MPH Speedo, or will you be getting them again?
Maybe it's because I'm about to be 70, but it's difficult for me to read the instruments top up, sunglasses on, and I desperately need a fix.
Thanks!
#14
Junior Member
Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Right, there is nothing "reproduction" or drop-in about these gauges.
Speedhut will print any background graphic you send them. Anybody can do that, it is not the hard part.
The problem with gauges like this is a person has to literally destroy their gauge pod to open up space. And then they have to figure out a plate system to mount to because the gauges don't actually fit properly in the outer bezel. Are you providing those solutions or are you just selling gauges? (Mounting gauges in the early car dash is easier than in the later cars.)
There is a way to avoid running new wires but you need gauges compatible with OEM coolant temp and oil pressure sensors. Speedhut used to be compatible but they made that design obsolete after getting tired of tech calls from people with bad wiring in their old cars. If you can convince Speedhut to resurrect those old circuit boards then you suddenly have a solution that will wire in to the stock harness with an adapter pigtail. And then you can have another adapter pigtail to go back to stock.
Speedhut will print any background graphic you send them. Anybody can do that, it is not the hard part.
The problem with gauges like this is a person has to literally destroy their gauge pod to open up space. And then they have to figure out a plate system to mount to because the gauges don't actually fit properly in the outer bezel. Are you providing those solutions or are you just selling gauges? (Mounting gauges in the early car dash is easier than in the later cars.)
There is a way to avoid running new wires but you need gauges compatible with OEM coolant temp and oil pressure sensors. Speedhut used to be compatible but they made that design obsolete after getting tired of tech calls from people with bad wiring in their old cars. If you can convince Speedhut to resurrect those old circuit boards then you suddenly have a solution that will wire in to the stock harness with an adapter pigtail. And then you can have another adapter pigtail to go back to stock.
The pictures I used for the design are just a mock up at this point but I wanted to get something together to show what the backgrounds could look like. Obviously before any of these are available we will be getting a set here and installed and make sure the fitment is correct, looks as nice as possible and install is as easy as possible.
#15
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Look good would like the white needle set for a blue LED swap
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Re: NEW 82-92 FIREBIRD REPRODUCTION GAUGE OPTIONS
Right, there is nothing "reproduction" or drop-in about these gauges.
The problem with gauges like this is a person has to literally destroy their gauge pod to open up space. And then they have to figure out a plate system to mount to because the gauges don't actually fit properly in the outer bezel.
The problem with gauges like this is a person has to literally destroy their gauge pod to open up space. And then they have to figure out a plate system to mount to because the gauges don't actually fit properly in the outer bezel.
The wiring can be a real pain because the cluster is connected with an OEM back connector that pressure fits into the circuit board.
Here's mine. Lots of work went into this. Yes to a "Reproduction" but in reality it is not. Need lots of wiring and customization. A real reproduction would be something that bolts in using OEM connectors.
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