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Hope the pictures come out ok. Tell me what you think if they did. I did not open the ashtray door but under it I took out the ashtray and added a panel with two switches for my electric fans to the radiator and to the trans cooler.
Last edited by jetmech; Aug 4, 2007 at 12:55 PM.
Reason: needed pictures
..... now, THAT'S what I've been looking-for, with the shifter concealed under the console!!!!!
What is involved with doing this, and keeping it neat-looking, like maybe the factory did it this way?
I have made an extra panel for my '82 that will house AUTOMETER-brand mechanical water temp, and oil-pressure gauges 'in-front' of the existing gauges (while using existing screw-holes in the OEM-dash ), as-well-as toggle switches for the electric water-pump, electric-fans, and line-lock:
This picture shows how my panel sits 'in-front' of the existing gauges:
Ok. As far as the shift indicator goes that is the megashifter indicator. I had to build an adaptor plate and some brackets to fit it into the original console. The shifter is apita to install and keep it under the stock console. I massaged the floorboard with a brass punch and hammer. I also had to modify the support bracket that holds the stock console in place. I have some more pics if you would like to see them. I can send them via e-mail if you would like. I drove the car this evening and I really like the shifter.
I had to build an adaptor plate and some brackets to fit it into the original console. The shifter is apita to install and keep it under the stock console. I massaged the floorboard with a brass punch and hammer. I also had to modify the support bracket that holds the stock console in place. I have some more pics if you would like to see them. I can send them via e-mail if you would like. I drove the car this evening and I really like the shifter.
If you don't mind, why-not post them here, in this thread, so others can see what is involved:
I'd like to see any-and-all pictures you have of the install, to ease the shifter-swap when I do it.
I'll be bracket-racing my '82 exclusively, and want a shifter that is idiot-proof (remember, "I" am the driver ), and offers no-chance of going 1st to 3rd, or-worse, during competition.
I had mine installed exactly like this, indicator and all, but I couldn't find anyone local to make me a shifter boot that would work. I wanted to remove the ashtray and install my switches there anyway so I just built the modified console. To get mine under the stock console I followed the same procedure you described, a brass drift and a hammer to square up the rear of the floorboard indent. And yes, this project is a PITA.
I was this far and changed directions:
Thanks Gyopp. Actually I studied your pictures you posted before I started my install. Great info by the way. As far as the shifter boot my wife and I made the boot out of some aircraft leather I had laying around. Luckily the car is red. Thanks again for your posting. I need to get all of my pictures together and post them for some other folks asking for them. Your finished product looks very proffesional and I am sure gets loads of comments!
As far as the shifter boot my wife and I made the boot out of some aircraft leather I had laying around.
My fiancee is an accomplished seamstress, having done bridal-gowns, dresses, and custom-drapery, so her making a boot will-be an afternoon-project:
I had the vinyl sides of the seat-covers repaired, and have a large piece of matching Dark Red vinyl in-storage.
indicator brackets and light
Shot of shifter installed red spots are sealant sealing stock shifter mounting holes
shows cutout of support and also where paint on tunnel is missing where I massaged for fit of the shifter
This picture shows the cut out of the bottom mounting bracket and the grinding off of the forward plate for clearance Shifter is pulled back into first gear and held.
Right side of shifter with forward plate and notch that was ground for clearance.
An
other picture showing the tunnel mods. I installed rivnuts into the tunnel to hold the shifter down. There are 3/8" spacers under the back of the shifter.
Another shot. I hope this helps glensgages. Lookup Gyopp's post. He did a great looking install and that is where I got a lot of info. I am like you I wanted the shifter to fit under the stock console without cutting it.
It is nice to see the same basic procedures work on another car. The clearances are so tight that I really wasn't sure it would work car to car. I've been driving mine all summer with the Megashifter. It is a huge improvement over the stock shifter.
Guys your welcome and thanks again for the kudos. I like the shifter because now I can access the low gear of my 200-4R and hold it there as long as I wish. Gyopp tell me about the C5 seat install in your C3 and how much headroom if any did you lose? did you use the stock C5 seat rails or not?
Do a search for the C5 seat install thread. I used the C5 power tracks. They sit a little taller, maybe an inch. I consider it one of the best upgrades I made. They are much more comfortable than the early C3 seats which have the ergonomics of a lawn chair.
You did a great job with the shifter as I have been wondering if it would work, if possible would you be able to answer a couple of questions for me is the shifter the one that is designed for the Camero or did it come in a case to be mounted to the floor
and was it hard to hook up to the origanal shifter indicater on the consol Thanks Aron stingray1@cogeco.ca