C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

80 Speedometer change

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 12:09 AM
  #1  
CaseyJones's Avatar
CaseyJones
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Default 80 Speedometer change

I would like to change my 1980 speedo for a higher mph one as mine only goes to 85 mph. Is there an easy replacement or do I need to spend the big bucks for a converted one?
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 07:40 AM
  #2  
LannyL81's Avatar
LannyL81
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Default

It is a pretty easy change out to do. I have seen them on ebay for sale and these are ones that have been converted. I sent mine into Zips (they no longer offer this service) and then had to take it to another shop to be calibrated.

Suggest if you get one, do not send in yours, get a spare, just in case.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 07:53 AM
  #3  
spikebot 81's Avatar
spikebot 81
Racer
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
Default

I sent mine here for a conversion. Took about 2 weeks. Very pleased with the work done. Its been a few years now but I think it cost $120 and $10 shipping.

http://www.redlineg.com/index.htm

http://www.redlineg.com/index_files/Page723.htm

Last edited by spikebot 81; Aug 22, 2010 at 07:56 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 10:07 AM
  #4  
CaseyJones's Avatar
CaseyJones
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Default

I ask this out of sheer ignorance, so forgive me... Why can't a '79 or '81/'82 be substituted? I know the '79 is a high mph. What's the difference other than the drive gear in the trans?
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 02:13 PM
  #5  
Frankenvette's Avatar
Frankenvette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Default

Originally Posted by spikebot 81
I sent mine here for a conversion. Took about 2 weeks. Very pleased with the work done. Its been a few years now but I think it cost $120 and $10 shipping.

http://www.redlineg.com/index.htm

http://www.redlineg.com/index_files/Page723.htm
I too used redline.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 08:22 PM
  #6  
terry82's Avatar
terry82
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
Default

Originally Posted by CaseyJones
I ask this out of sheer ignorance, so forgive me... Why can't a '79 or '81/'82 be substituted? I know the '79 is a high mph. What's the difference other than the drive gear in the trans?
81 and 82 are 85 mph.i would say if the 79 is 120 mph it should work .i would call red line they could tell you for shure.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 03:40 AM
  #7  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 556
From: Seattle Washington
Default

All the major vendors used to have these in stock but they may not be as popular as they once were. Generaly they use a Speedo reduction in the Cable that is some what prone to fail. Then You can take it to a speedo shop (if you can still find one) and they can calibrate it so it dosn't need the Speed reduction. Oddly enough, at Car Shows I have lots to look at more people notice it and ask me about the speedo. I think they had a 160mph and a 255mph. No, I have never buried my 255.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 07:56 AM
  #8  
MN80Vette's Avatar
MN80Vette
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Default

I am thinking about just buying a new 140 mph speedometer because my original speedo would need repairs, not just a new face and recalibration.

If I buy a new speedo, how would I set the mileage to the correct number? I know you can't just move the numbers.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 23, 2010 | 10:48 PM
  #9  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Here is a pic of a 165 MPH speedo originally from Corvette Clinic (NOS) which I recently sold to another CF'er. Have one just like it in my SA. The reason I'm posting this is so you'll know how a well done conversion appears vs. the "Fisher Price" looking ones which I've seen...


Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Aug 23, 2010 at 10:51 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 80 Speedometer change





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:15 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE