LED Lights vs. Bulbs for instrument Panel

I was wondering if anyone here with a 1990-1992 Camaro has tried installing the LED lights rather than the regular bulbs in your STOCK instrument panel?

I believe it would look similar to http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/245000-245999/245983_7_full.jpg (yes, 4th gen, not a 3rd)

These LED's are definately NOT CHEAP and think it would be better to hear first hand who has already done this.

Anyone here have pictures of the end results of the LED's in a STOCK instrument panel?

Thanks

do a search over on http://www.thirdgen.org/ , I seem to remember several guys have done it and posted pics

Yes I will be doing this conversion soon (already did in my truck).

The only problem with going to LEDs (or any other bulb for that matter) is that the cluster overlay is yellow. Put blue lights behind that and you will get a pretty little green (this is discussed at thirdgen.org).

I still havnt figured it out... but for some reason, GM was yellow-happy in the early 90s. All the other 3rd gens were left white/clear.

Originally posted by Pro
Yes I will be doing this conversion soon (already did in my truck).

The only problem with going to LEDs (or any other bulb for that matter) is that the cluster overlay is yellow. Put blue lights behind that and you will get a pretty little green (this is discussed at thirdgen.org).

I still havnt figured it out... but for some reason, GM was yellow-happy in the early 90s. All the other 3rd gens were left white/clear.

Where is the yellow? Is it the overlay itself? or a removable yellow stripe inside the instrument panel?

Originally posted by camarosource
Where is the yellow? Is it the overlay itself? or a removable yellow stripe inside the instrument panel?

Not sure yet.
But in the other messages at thirdgen.org they mention some store, where they sell new overlays... so im assuming the yellow is actually built into the overlay.

Originally posted by Pro
Not sure yet.
But in the other messages at thirdgen.org they mention some store, where they sell new overlays... so im assuming the yellow is actually built into the overlay.

I would rather have a complete Reverse EL glo guage but they don't make them for my Camaro (1992 Camaro Z28 with 240km/140mph guages.) :-(

Originally posted by camarosource
I would rather have a complete Reverse EL glo guage but they don't make them for my Camaro (1992 Camaro Z28 with 240km/140mph guages.) :-(

What do those guages look like?
Im in the same 140mph guage boat as you...

Heres a couple of posts on the subject:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215320

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215510

Somewhere in there on one of the posts... you can download the "designs" off his webpage. How would this work? Do you just print it off on some sort of special paper? hah

Originally posted by Pro
What do those guages look like?
Im in the same 140mph guage boat as you...

Here is an example of the ones for a Pontiac Firebird. Personally, I would kill for this look for the 1992 Camaro Z28 (240km/140mph)!

http://www.procarparts.com/store-detail.asp?sku=PON%2DFBD%2D8289%2DBUXX%2D20XX%2DRV GX

Originally posted by Pro
Heres a couple of posts on the subject:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215320

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215510

Somewhere in there on one of the posts... you can download the "designs" off his webpage. How would this work? Do you just print it off on some sort of special paper? hah

Post #1. I don't see anything other than a topic regarding shaved door handles.

Post #2: Of course I know of the 2nd post, notice the poster? ;-)

Maybe it was this one:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=213503

My POS computer isnt linking to sites correctly. Plus I have people IMing me like CRAZY RIGHT NOW. (10+ people).

So what about the response of MrDude_1? What are you supposed to do with those designs?

Originally posted by camarosource
I was wondering if anyone here with a 1990-1992 Camaro has tried installing the LED lights rather than the regular bulbs in your STOCK instrument panel?

I believe it would look similar to http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/245000-245999/245983_7_full.jpg (yes, 4th gen, not a 3rd)

These LED's are definately NOT CHEAP and think it would be better to hear first hand who has already done this.

Anyone here have pictures of the end results of the LED's in a STOCK instrument panel?

Thanks

That pic is of a stock instrument cluster from a 25th anniv TA. If you have a 4th gen you can just buy that and replace your stock one.

Hey camarosource, I decided Im going to go ahead and go out on my own (scan my own stuff).
I have access to a ton of special scanners and printers, so Im sure I can get it all to work.

Main reason is because I cant find the 140mph (or 145, whatever it is) designs.

You can clearly see the difference in the two:

ftp://68.1.231.79/New%20Folder/140.jpeg
ftp://68.1.231.79/New%20Folder/110.jpeg

But I guess I can just put all the overlays on transparency?

Originally posted by Pro
Hey camarosource, I decided Im going to go ahead and go out on my own (scan my own stuff).
I have access to a ton of special scanners and printers, so Im sure I can get it all to work.

Main reason is because I cant find the 140mph (or 145, whatever it is) designs.

You can clearly see the difference in the two:

ftp://68.1.231.79/New%20Folder/140.jpeg
ftp://68.1.231.79/New%20Folder/110.jpeg

But I guess I can just put all the overlays on transparency?

What exactly are you planning on doing? :-)

I still have the biggest problem because unlike you, I have the 240KM/140MPH (Canadian) rather the US 140MPH/240KM. :cry:

I still think, though, if you just scan the images to your computer (as black and white, or greyscale) and then edit the colors as needed, then just print off on a thicker type of transparency, you will be just fine...

Ill be doing this soon and ill take pics as I go.

Originally posted by Pro
I still think, though, if you just scan the images to your computer (as black and white, or greyscale) and then edit the colors as needed, then just print off on a thicker type of transparency, you will be just fine...

Ill be doing this soon and ill take pics as I go.

yah ive bought a white overlay for a hvac that was done on photo paper and in a few months when it got mild outside it started to wrinkle on me kind of...so it would be a good idea to test the paper or whatever you use to make sure moister wont hurt it....or it would be cool to get the overlay you printed off laminated.

camarosource - you should take your guages apart scan them,,like said then play with the colors,,,then print them off on photo paper,,,cut your odometer and maybe turn light indicator holes then get them laminated (maybe how you do your cards can do that if its big enoght). Then use two sided tape and cut out the holes for you to slip it over your needles then stick it over your guages. Then replace your 194 bulbs with some of the 4 led 194 bulbs here:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/
That youd be brighter then any bulbs id amagin.

Wouldn't the gauges from Procarparts.com for th 87 T/A work for a Camaro. I'd think that they would swap over?

Originally posted by 94LT1Maro
Wouldn't the gauges from Procarparts.com for th 87 T/A work for a Camaro. I'd think that they would swap over?

Not for a 92 :-)

I know but i'm thinking of doing a Guage Swap myself and I really like that style. I just don't want to blow the money on it just to find out that it's not gonna work.

Originally posted by 94LT1Maro
I know but i'm thinking of doing a Guage Swap myself and I really like that style. I just don't want to blow the money on it just to find out that it's not gonna work.

Yeah... Know anyone with pics of the factory looking 1987 T/A instrument panel?

No but I'll look on Cardomain.com they've gotta have some good dash shots on that website somewhere.

heres the 87 ta dash guages....
http://members.aol.com/rmacewen1/PF3002Speedo1.JPG http://members.aol.com/rmacewen1/PF3002Tach1.JPG
http://members.aol.com/rmacewen1/PF3002Volt1.JPG http://members.aol.com/rmacewen1/PF3002Oil1.JPG

heres the 92 that camarosource (kind of has) his #'s wouldnt be the exact same.
http://members.aol.com/macewen001/RSleft.JPG http://members.aol.com/macewen001/RSright.JPG

so unless your talking a compleate dash swap then how is this supposed to work 94LT1Maro?? Or did you just not know they were different??
If camarosourse does anykind of dash swap it should be a 4th gen one.

I didn't know that they were different. And that sucks b/c that's a bad ass set of guages. Oh well i'll just put Autometers in they may not be reverse glow but it's better than stock right?