1985 dash conversions?
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1985 dash conversions?
Hi, I was really never a fan of the digital 'star wars' dash of the c4 vettes. Is it possible to convert the dash to analog? If it is possible where can i look for this conversion? How much do you think it will cost?
THANKS!
THANKS!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Hi Toronto,
I don't know of any "kit" but I did this in my previous '85. I replaced the star wars with Autometer Phantom gauges. It was straight forward, just spliced the appropriate gauge wires into the appropriate wires at the star wars connector (signal for the oil pressure gauge, signal for the coolant temp gauge, tach signal, etc)
If you're familiar with automotive wiring it's a pretty easy job. If not a competent shop should be able to wire it up for you.
Hope this helps,
Brian
VTvette
I don't know of any "kit" but I did this in my previous '85. I replaced the star wars with Autometer Phantom gauges. It was straight forward, just spliced the appropriate gauge wires into the appropriate wires at the star wars connector (signal for the oil pressure gauge, signal for the coolant temp gauge, tach signal, etc)
If you're familiar with automotive wiring it's a pretty easy job. If not a competent shop should be able to wire it up for you.
Hope this helps,
Brian
VTvette
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
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From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
I'm a big fan of the stock look, so I like the digital dash... but to each their own.
Somewhere on line, I've seen a tutorial for replacing teh digital cluster with analog gauges. If I can find it agian, I'll post the link. Or try some google searches on your own and you should turn it up...
Somewhere on line, I've seen a tutorial for replacing teh digital cluster with analog gauges. If I can find it agian, I'll post the link. Or try some google searches on your own and you should turn it up...
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,111
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From: My redneck of the woods louisiana
i've seen a couple threads about this and there is a website that shows this (analog gauges i've seen a couple other setups on the forum too but cant search right now to find them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
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From: Salem Oregon
With that link up above, you can go to say jegs, and price out the gauges you need, to give you a rough idea of what it will cost. I put a oil pressure and a water temp in my info panel area, and later on I will do the speedo, tach in the main cluster. I can't give you any other help in the cost dept. I have to many other mods going on to get to those right away. Randy
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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he's switched to the later dash, which is less-SW like
Or you fan follow the link given above and figure the rest out for yourself
he's switched to the later dash, which is less-SW like
Or you fan follow the link given above and figure the rest out for yourself
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Cool piece of history there JoBy!
Makes me glad they went with the star wars - that looks a lot more dated than the star wars dash to me.
Looks too much like the gauges in a C3 - which are fitting in that aplication, but would look out of place in a C4 IMHO.
Brian
VTvette
Makes me glad they went with the star wars - that looks a lot more dated than the star wars dash to me.
Looks too much like the gauges in a C3 - which are fitting in that aplication, but would look out of place in a C4 IMHO.
Brian
VTvette
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If only GM went with this dash...it would save a lot of future headaches, and there is nothing sporty about seeing a tach increasing in a digital dash lol....the c4 dash reminds me of those older oldsmobiles and cadillacs that my grandparents drove lol
Originally Posted by JoBy
This is the dash that GM had as a backup plan for the digital dash.
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If only GM went with this dash...it would save a lot of future headaches, and there is nothing sporty about seeing a tach increasing in a digital dash lol....the c4 dash reminds me of those older oldsmobiles and cadillacs that my grandparents drove lol
Originally Posted by JoBy
This is the dash that GM had as a backup plan for the digital dash.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 392
Likes: 7
From: Massachusetts
Originally Posted by toronto_85_2_nv
If only GM went with this dash...it would save a lot of future headaches, and there is nothing sporty about seeing a tach increasing in a digital dash lol....the c4 dash reminds me of those older oldsmobiles and cadillacs that my grandparents drove lol
Looks like the 89 and below Camaro gauges. I like them on a camaro. But on a vette.. HELL NO.. I love the star war dash
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Something that can be made to look a LOT cooler as a digital gauge that can never look cool as an alalog gauge:
the federally mandated 85mph speedometer!!
That is something that cluster doesn't show!
Brian
VTvette
the federally mandated 85mph speedometer!!
That is something that cluster doesn't show!
Brian
VTvette
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,105
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From: Canal Winchester OH
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
CI X Blind Auto-X Champ
Originally Posted by 91Z28CamaroL98
Looks like the 89 and below Camaro gauges. I like them on a camaro. But on a vette.. HELL NO.. I love the star war dash
My brother has an old 84 Camaro and it has an 85 speedo and a gas guage. That is it.The digi-dash is great. Full of information and much more exciting to look at than a bunch of boring guages. Personally I think you should just leave it as is.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: sd
Of course everyone has their opinions however the dash of the 80's have their place and I'm happy to say that I have one in my car. I love the look and it adds a little something to the interior that nothing else could. Good luck finding what your looking for however I think that you are going to find that it is rather expensive for the gauges and to make it look nice is another thing entirely.
Race Director
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From: First to Sign Grumpy's Hat Only 53 miles from Hell
St. Jude Donor '06-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by JoBy
This is the dash that GM had as a backup plan for the digital dash.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
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From: Wallingford Vermont
I'm not a fan of the Star Wars look either. IMHO it's looks more gimmicky less performance. I think GM's execution could have been alot better to give us both (digital tech & performance); like some of the newer aftermarket digital tachs and such.
If you take the plunge and go analog take a look at the new Stewart Warner line of gauges. They look even better (and have better choices) than the popular Sport Comps.
If you take the plunge and go analog take a look at the new Stewart Warner line of gauges. They look even better (and have better choices) than the popular Sport Comps.