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Hi, this is my first post and not really sure what im doing but here it goes. I have a '77 with a crate 355 and a HSR fuel injection. I think the interior of the c3 doesnt reflect the nice curves of the body and wanted to restomod the dash. My old gauges look pretty worn out and when i did the engine swap they didnt work anyway so had an idea. what if i put a c5 instument cluster where the speedo/tach is and mod the center console? I dont want to get too crazy into the doors and dash board. I could hook up the OBD and maybe get some of the info messages to work. Any thoughts? thanks
Anything you think of ...most of the time can be done....BUT...it will depends on how well versed you are in certain areas.
As 'Richard454's' thread...it can be done. So..trying to install new Corvette parts in your car can be done...but get ready for a lot of book work and figuring things out.
In situations like you see in Richards thread. He is doing this himself...because if he had to pay someone...it would be a cost that would make the project got totally out of control.
I KNOW your idea will work....because taking it out of one car and putting it in another is not that hard. It is getting things to fit....and figuring out ONLY what you need....and how to mount the computers that it needs to work... That is where countless hours with a wiring diagrams and manual so you can understand HOW things work is what matters.
Hi, this is my first post and not really sure what im doing but here it goes. I have a '77 with a crate 355 and a HSR fuel injection. I think the interior of the c3 doesnt reflect the nice curves of the body and wanted to restomod the dash. My old gauges look pretty worn out and when i did the engine swap they didnt work anyway so had an idea. what if i put a c5 instument cluster where the speedo/tach is and mod the center console? I dont want to get too crazy into the doors and dash board. I could hook up the OBD and maybe get some of the info messages to work. Any thoughts? thanks
Well you've come to the right place this is the best forum for anything to do with these corvettes. But one thing you must know is that if you are going to anything cool or custom you have to post pics ( unwritten law) for everyone else to see . If your a really nice guy then you will do a thread on how you did it for some of us that like to do the custom mods.
OP, I dunno man, just easier to get some aluminum and make your own panel using aftermarket gauges......it's what I did for the HVAC controls, and some LED's that flicker in the timing order...they are red on the console, and the blue ones are the batch fire A&B banks.....
I AGREE.....but you have to agree that it DOES take a special person to do modifications correctly. Because I have dealt with enough Corvettes that have been butchered to prove that not everybody knows what they are doing.
And that statement was NOT directed at anyone. It is just a fact of what I have experienced.
Well you've come to the right place this is the best forum for anything to do with these corvettes. But one thing you must know is that if you are going to anything cool or custom you have to post pics ( unwritten law) for everyone else to see . If your a really nice guy then you will do a thread on how you did it for some of us that like to do the custom mods.
thankyou very much for the info. This is a good starting point
I AGREE.....but you have to agree that it DOES take a special person to do modifications correctly. Because I have dealt with enough Corvettes that have been butchered to prove that not everybody knows what they are doing.
And that statement was NOT directed at anyone. It is just a fact of what I have experienced.
DUB
I know what your saying.Im in construction and I see homeowners try and do stuff they shouldnt all the time.
Im starting to think this is a bad idea. I wanted a cheap and differant way to do dash and still use corvette parts but im thinking not having a LS engine and none of the sensors needed, it would quickly get out of hand. Owell. Ideas come and go
I AGREE.....but you have to agree that it DOES take a special person to do modifications correctly. Because I have dealt with enough Corvettes that have been butchered to prove that not everybody knows what they are doing.
And that statement was NOT directed at anyone. It is just a fact of what I have experienced.
DUB
Oh- I understand-
But too many want to immediately shut down somebody from trying something beyond their current skill set or knowledge. how is one going to learn?
However with so much information at one's fingertips these days- there's no excuse at going blindly. Exactly why I posted up the wiring- and Japery could see what was involved.
Originally Posted by Japery
I know what your saying.Im in construction and I see homeowners try and do stuff they shouldnt all the time.
Im starting to think this is a bad idea. I wanted a cheap and different way to do dash and still use corvette parts but im thinking not having a LS engine and none of the sensors needed, it would quickly get out of hand. Owell. Ideas come and go
I see that too in construction-the DIY Homeowners- but also see professionals doing it as well!!! And in some cases what the "professional" has done is even more scary- as they can make it look right on the surface- but what's underneath is often deadly.
And just like in construction- if you want the job done right- it ain't going to be cheap ...
Those two gauging systems are entirely different. Trying to make such a swap will end up being a real "can 'o worms'. It will be MUCH easier to fix what you have than to re-engineer the dash.
The C3 gauges are relatively simple. If you share what problems you are having with them, this Forum can help you get them working properly.
P.S. The gauges themselves are least likely to be the problem....
My original gauges are old and worn out so I wanted to try and update the dash a little without getting into to much trouble. I think I know just enough to get in trouble.Thats why I look for wisdom on the forum.I wanted to use a gauge cluster so it doesnt look to DIY. I have a 1992 IROC ecm (that I need to update because of the new engine),could I use a camaro gauge cluster?
But too many want to immediately shut down somebody from trying something beyond their current skill set or knowledge. how is one going to learn?
However with so much information at one's fingertips these days- there's no excuse at going blindly. Exactly why I posted up the wiring- and Japery could see what was involved.
I AGREE. I have no problem in trying to help someone who wants to learn and do it themselves. But they have to WANT to do it.
I have had so many Corvettes dropped off at my shop where the owner has 'thrown in the towel' and now does not want to finish it. And I get boxes of parts and fasteners all mixed up and a majority of the time I have to take what they did all back apart because it is not right.
I am NOT trying to discourage anyone...I am simply stating from experience. It is RARE to find people who tackle the hard projects.
If the OP has the knowledge and skill set needed to do a gauge swap from a C5 to a C3, I'd say "Go for it!" But, when the OP states that the original gauges are "...worn out", I can surmise that he really doesn't know much about gauges...and that he has little knowledge of HOW the C3 gauging systems work--let alone the C5.
If he did have that knowledge, he wouldn't be asking here for that info. That being the case, I certainly wouldn't want to open the door of the 'snake pit' so that he could find himself in a bad situation later. If I'm reading his situation incorrectly, I wish him well on this task. I've done a lot of electrical work on cars, and I wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy!
I'm sorry, but I really don't think a C5 Gauge cluster would be an "improvement" as far as asthetics; The stock '68-'77 gauges have an awesome classic look! Now if it was a '78 or newer, I'd say go for it, but as mentioned, I'd do an aluminum panel and some SW, VDO or Auto Meter aftermarket gauges.
c5 gauge cluster in a c3
. If your a really nice guy then you will do a thread on how you did it for some of us that like to do the custom mods.
