Okay. So my car is apparently one of only about 1,000 in '87 not to have cruise control. I'm thinking about adding it, but I don't really know much about it. Should I install factory cc or aftermarket cc? Which is easier? Cheaper? Does anyone have any experiences with installing cc on a corvette that didn't come with it from the factory? Any experiences with aftermarket cc? Any comments could prove very helpful, so thanks in advance!

 

It shouldn't be too hard if you have the right parts. I don't see how an aftermarket unit could work.

The dash controls the cruise control through the speedometer. You'd also need the cruise control switch on the steering column and related wiring harness. The module/actuator and the bracket that mounts it. The steel cable to the throttle body. And a brake vacuum switch to turn it off when you hit the brakes. Plus some vacuum tubing...

 

It could be done either way, but aftermarket probably runs off of the vehicle speed sensor, and the factory one would require adding wires to the harness and to the stop light switch. The stop light switch has to be changed, and the wiring and switch added to the column, and aftermarket would add a separate computer and actuator.

 

I feel like aftermarket would be easiest, so I'll probably go with that. But I can't seem to find any that fit my car (for sure). Are they mostly just universal or something?

 

You won't likely find an Internet application guide and for a very early car most installs used a pick-up that was clamped to the drive-shaft. You could attempt it maybe a bit "backasswardly" see if you can find a kit for same year Camaro/Firebird or any other application that used a pick-up from the VSS. You could likely use most of that kit with the addition of the correct parts to go into the column.

Rostra was a quite well known supplier - eBay seems to have quite a few! There's vendors there that actually likely "KNOW" what they sell! Start there!



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Rethinking this I believe I'd attempt a factory install, the cruise is essentially a single product (servo) that requires only a cable and electrical. It looks to be the same '85 to at least '88 (I didn't check '89) but if you had someone parting a car you could specify the needs and move forward or a "pick and pull". Maybe but likely the instrument panel harness has already the appropriate connectors. It could be a very straight forward install. Now if you had a car to park right along-side to use as a "template" you'd be good to go. Snapshots of a factory install under the hood should suffice. Even if you had to fabricate the harness you could cut connectors from a donor or buy new from other sources and the harness would be minimal. You could create it in maybe a couple hours.

I know I'd do factory!! Piece of cake! I believe I could supply enough information to source the parts from.

 

I found a shop that would install an aftermarket system, but still use factory turn signal switch so it would appear stock on the inside. They quoted me $500. Sound reasonable??

 

No I don't think that's anywhere near reasonable. I wouldn't rush into it. Find out the "brand' of the kit and the "warranty" but I really think I'd consider a "take -off" from a "part-out" and if you do your own maintenance I believe you could handle the install!