Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

I know its like beating a dead horse, and im sorry to make a new post about it, but I just need a few confirmations after my hours of using the search function to make sure.

I have a 96, auto. I want a either a 94++ bird/TA or 97++ camaro dash/pillars/console.

To confirm:
The only specific part I need is a 97 camaro(digital or mechinical) cluster? And will or will it not plug directly into a 96, seen some contravery on this as it is a obdII car? I'll need a new harness(p/n 12065803) yes?

and after that, I'm free to use any combination of 94++ firebird or T/A dash/console configurations or 97++ camaro setups?

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

You'll only need a guage cluster from a 97 Camaro if you decide to go with a 97 Camaro dash. The 96-earlier clusters won't work simply because they're a different shape than the 97, and won't fit. The 96's and 97's were both OBDII so the 97 cluster is compatible with the 96 harness. If you go with a T/A dash, you can use any dash and any guage cluster from 94-97. (93 won't work because they came equipped with a tach filter which is incompatible with the 94-up PCM's.)

Hope that helps.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

thanks so much for that quick reply.

So if I found a 97 camaro cluster, and a 97-02 camaro dash/console, the only re-wiring I would have to do is basic extenstions for fog lights/trunk release and hvac defroster modifications, thats it? guage cluster for tach/speedo etc would just plug in?? no way?

on the other hand, if I went with a T/A setup, I would have to rewire the connector plug(since I assume pontiac/camaro wiring is different?) But I could use any cluster from 94-97....

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

93 + Firebird and 97 + Camaro cluster plugs are the same... 93-96 Camaro's have a different style plug... You'll need remove the cluster wiring from your 96 plug and snap it into the plug that fits into your 97 cluster... I swapped out my 94 Z28 dash for a 2000 Z28 dash a couple weeks ago and used this page: http://camaroz28.cardomain.com/ride/345879/3 to do the wiring swap.. It wasn't that difficult... I also made drawings in photoshop to show where the wiring went into the plug... I'll post those if you need them.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Something I totally forgot about and would make the swap much easier from a wiring standpoint is if you used a 97 Camaro cluster surround with a 96 T/A cluster. The 96 T/A cluster would be a direct plug and play with your wiring harness and would still allow you to use the 97+ Camaro dash if you wanted because the cluster shape is the same for both cars from 97-on.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

I'm started to get a little more confused now...;)

So which statement is incorrect?

Is the 'surround' an intermediate piece between the overall dash and the cluster? or is 'surround' and 'dash' interchangeable terms? just looking for a little clarification.....

sry if the questions are getting a bit excessive :confused:

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

He's right. I forgot about the digital odometer in the 97+'s.

The surround is the hard plastic piece that has the driver's side A/C vent in it. The guage cluster fits inside it. Not really advisable to interchange a camaro surround with a T/A dash because the vents in the Camaro dash are square while the T/A vents are round and it would just clash. The cluster itself is all that you'd wanna interchange. 96 T/A cluster+97 Camaro dash=direct plug-and-play

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

I'm talking about the actual size and shape of the plug itself... Like you said, you need part#12065803 and you'll have to remove the wiring connectors from your 96 plug with a paper clip or something similar, and snap them into the newer plug in order for it to fit into the 97 Camaro cluster... Maybe I didn't understand your question asking if " the only re-wiring I would have to do is basic extenstions for fog lights/trunk release and hvac defroster modifications, thats it? guage cluster for tach/speedo etc would just plug in??" I'm pretty sure the 96 Camaro plugs are the same as my 94 plug and I had to use a different plug(part#12065803) in order for it to fit into my new gauge cluster.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Yeah you're right. The 96-earlier plugs are all the same and the 97+ plugs are all the same. If he uses a 96 T/A cluster he won't have to modify anything.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

So could I also use a 94 or 95 and it be 'plug & play' also since the pre 97' plugs are all the same? Or is there something specific about the 96T/A one? <--this is in reference to using a 94-96 T/A dash with it. Now if I want to use a 97++ camaro dash, I'll need either a 97' camaro cluster(specifically) or a 96/97 T/A one? if this is true, why do ppl always look for the 97' maro one when they could also use a 96' or 97' T/A wouldn't that broaden the options a little?

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

I'm not so sure the 96 T/A clusters would use the same style plugs as 96 Camaro's... Doesn't seem logical only one year it would be plug-n-play... But who knows... Here's my experience and what I did.... I already had a 2000 Z28 dash, so I had to search for the 97 Z28 cluster... I searched for a few months and only saw one on ebay which I lost the auction... I was tired of looking and wanted the new dash in before the summer so I ended up buying a 95 T/A cluster with close to the same mileage I had, for $20 hoping it would fit... It did fit, with the exception of the rear of the cluster where the speedo/odometer was... It bulges out in that area... I ended up having to cut out an area with a Dremel in the opening of the 2000 dash in order for the T/A cluster to fit... After that it slipped right in and all the cluster bolt holes etc lined up... I did have to remove the wiring from my 94 Z28 plug and place it into the new plug... So I know you'd need to change the plug if you used a 95 T/A gauge cluster... But the 93-97 T/A gauge cluster will fit into the opening of a 97 + Camaro dash with a little fabrication... A 97 T/A cluster with the digital odometer may not have that "bulge" at the rear of the cluster and may fit right into the opening without any cutting.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

sweet, thats exactly the info I wanted to know, really appreciate the help guys, I'll post up some pics when its all said and done.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

starting to get this going, got a 97' cluster(I hope) and I'm ripping apart a salvage 01' maro in the morning.....

anyone know if '16224019' is the right part# for the 97 cluster, it has the digital odo so it could be 97(1/2)-02, the dude said it was for a 97, but just wanted to make sure before I rip my old dash out.....ebay lol.

if you didn't know, the number is on the black face of the gauges in the lower left, under the front clear plastic peice.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

How is that conversion going/gone? How much of a pain in the arse was it?

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

to be honest, I still have not started, I've been collecting peices, one by one, as I've found its the cheapest way, most local salvage yards will take next to nothing for most of this stuff, if you get a few peices at a time. So far I have the 97 cluster(ebay), light switch, radio trim peice(w/fog & asr), glove box, center console, a/c controls, cluster trim peice, dash pad, a-pillars, and knee bolster. I'm just saving for a dash 'shell' and I also need a m6 shift plate, as I bought an auto one lol doh, then decided to do the t56 conversion as well =)

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

This might make you upset to know now but the 93-96 TA cluster will bolt right into a 97+ camaro dash. They're wired exactly the same and about 1/4, 1/3 the price.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Eh not really, I wanted the digital odo, and the firebird red lighting would look kinda gay w/o the stock radio and stuff to match.....IMO.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

OK we'll everything is about 100% done, looks great, no rattles, seems like better airflow, I'm lovin it. Heres a coupe pics of the center area:

http://www.thefifthcolumn.net/spyder/share/dash.JPG
http://www.thefifthcolumn.net/spyder/share/dash2.JPG
http://www.thefifthcolumn.net/spyder/share/dash3.JPG


One question on the digital odo wiring though, on the guide pretty much everyone uses(http://www.cardomain.com/ride/345879/3) it says:

without that wire connected, my digital odo works, but I dont think its the right brightness, seems a little faint sometimes during the day, now I assume the fact that it connects to to something with the headlight switch is that maybe it has a dimming function etc? Problem is there is a brown wire coming from the dimmer/interior light switch and also a brown wire from the headlight switch, which wire do I use? Does anyone know what exactly it does if it doesn't power the digital odo? I'm kinda scared to hook it up, as its already working....:(

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Looks pretty good man,where did you get that radio bezel from.That thing looks way cool.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

thnx man, its from humount.com, little pricey, and slow shipping, but its a quality piece

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Thanks man for the info.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Your setup looks great. I've decided to do the same thing as the TA dash i had got me by but wasn't what i really wanted. I always wanted the 97+ Camaro dash. I believe i have all the pieces i need but i have a few questions. One what did you do about the fog lights, it looks like the 97+ has a diff. plug. Did you just cut the plug/wiring out of your parts car or did you buy it new. If you bought it new do you know the part number? Also do you know what SGS is? I assume its a traction control switch. Did you wire it up to? im wanting to hook that switch up for my power antenna kill. Also did you add the wire for the lighting on your cluster and did it help any? Thanks

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

First off about the wire for lighting on the cluster, I have a post about that, I'm no real sure, its post number 18 above if anyone can answer that:confused: Not real sure, the more I drive it, it seems to be the same, a little to dim during the day, but evening/night the LCD is perfectly lit, so I'm not sure what to do, or just to leave it. Oh well.


But on the other questions, the fog light switch uses the same connector(wiring harness) as the 93-96 switch, but the wires need to be extended about 2 or 3 feet for it to reach the new switch, no biggie, just some cut/splice. On the SGS switch, I'm not sure exactly what thats for, I assumed traction control as well, but my car doesn't have it, that switch was simply in there as the car a ripped all the parts from was equipped with it, so the switch is not hooked up. Its probably possible to rig the switch up to your power antenna, but might take a little bit of testing, as the pin out on it is like 6 wires or something, it has a wire which lights the switch when the headlights/dash lights are on(internal light) and then a orange light for when the switch is activated, also it has a weird feel to it, feels like the switch used for our original rear defrost on the 93-96, where it turns off automatically, so the on/off operates like a breaker kind of feel, hard to explain, sorry.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Ok thanks, i had to cut and splice a diff. plug for the TA fog light switch and must of lost my old camaro fog light plug. To me it looked very different but its good to hear all i have to do is locate a 93+ Camaro fog light plug and splice it back in. Well it looks like i'll just have to test the Digital odometer wiring for myself.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

My 97 cluster came in today and so i decided to stick it in the TA dash and check and make sure everything worked before i used it. Everything works fine even the odometer but its faint like you said. I'll probably look at my buddie's 97 and see how his is. If his is faint in the day i'll just leave it, if his is dark then i'll start messing with mine and add the other wire to the headlight switch. I just don't want to cut and mess with more wires than i have to. Interesting though with my 93-96 TA cluster the ASR light is off, but with the 97 Camaro cluster its on. I guess that means i need to add that ground wire on the cluster for the ASR. Its just odd everything else is wired the same except for that.

Re: Beginning Dash Swap - Just need some confirmations...PLZ
 

Blue96z28
I'm going to do the dash swap tom. and with the camaro cluster in my ASR light and seatbelt light are always on. Do you know how to fix this? the dash swap "guide" doesn't work in any of the links anymore. I know it said something about how to fix this problem.

Dig up old thread in a search...


I got a killer offer for a 99 Camaro Dash complete with everything I need. Mines a 95Z


Does the Digitial Odo just work? Is the only wiring I'd have to do on that cardomain page and just repin it into a new connector? Or what? And what about the HVAC controls? I havent seen much discussing those. Different Air Ducting? Ect

Ya its been awhile, I did end up getting everything working, and yes the digital odo works perfect from the 97, I have the small problem above of it being faint in the day, but it still works ya. Much of the HVAC controls just unplug of your old set and onto the new ones, a little needs to be spliced as explained on one of those pages(I don't remember anymore to be honest) but its all straight forward stuff, nothing to serious. For the ducting, you'll need the 97++ ducting of the donor car, don't get to worried, this is just a real simple solid plastic piece that screws onto the new dash, you'll see how it works if you remove it from the donor car yourself, nothing is really breakable on it, although the foam can deteriorate - that is easily fixable though.

To be honest I don't remember off hand, I'm pretty sure you just connect those wires listed in the pinout for that to ground instead of the harness and the lights will go out, or just remove the bulbs?

http://www.thefifthcolumn.net/spyder...PLUGWIRING.jpg
thats all I could find, got it from someone on the board, maybe it will help, all I had saved on my comp from the swap....

I saw someone offering if you need the photohop pin out ask me... or was that you? :lol:

I have a friend at a Chev dealer lookin into parts/part numbers for me tomorrow :D