are all instrument clusters the same in C5's?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
Originally Posted by BanditDude
The only differences I'm aware of are 1) E/M readouts 2) HUD compatibility and 3) Z06 labeling. Good luck. 
All right guys...finally bumped across this post as I'm looking for help on an exhaust install
I'll list out the possible clusters...that way it's stored in the archives for everyone searching.
97-early 99 US SPEC non-HUD cluster
97-early 99 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC non-HUD Cluster
99-04 US SPEC HUD cluster
99-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC HUD cluster
01-04 US SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster
01-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster (SUPER RARE & $$$)
2003 US SPEC Anniversary Edition HUD cluster (50th Logo on Speedo)
2003 Export Spec 50th AE??? I've never seen one...but possibly???
Other than that, I've only run into one other variance, and it was a Nippon Seki Prototype that never made it into a production car.
Now, on the speedo. The simple answer is that your cluster does hold odometer readings, and that if not changed properly (or with correct mileage programming), the mileage on the dash will read incorrectly. That's not to say that it can't be checked elsewhere in the car, for fraud and/or warranty purposes. One also needs to keep in mind that odometer fraud is a serious FEDERAL OFFENSE and should not be tolerated by anyone in the Corvette community.
When changing the cluster to a different design such as the Z06 or Anniversary clusters, one only needs to swap the main circuit board in the new cluster with the card from their existing cluster to maintain proper mileage readouts (though you should still check before and after install to make sure you are correct). I've not tested the compatability of swapping circuit boards between US and Canadian/Export clusters as I wasn't aware if there were any differences to control the different calibration of the speedometer, though it's possible that it might work. If doing this, I'd make sure to check it's accuracy after the install against a known speed (either radar, or approx. test with following vehicle and cell phone to gauge speed).
If changing the cluster out in order to install HUD, you will need a new board for your cluster (or a whole new cluster) that is HUD enabled. This board MUST BE PROGRAMMED before installing it to get the correct mileage readings onto the board to keep within federal mandates. You can then put this board into your existing cluster (keeping as much as possible original on the car) and use the basic HUD kit to add HUD at that time. You can check with forum vendors first, though if you don't find success there, I sell them on eBay under the name CarolinaCorvettes.
Josh
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
All right guys...finally bumped across this post as I'm looking for help on an exhaust install
I'll list out the possible clusters...that way it's stored in the archives for everyone searching.
97-early 99 US SPEC non-HUD cluster
97-early 99 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC non-HUD Cluster
99-04 US SPEC HUD cluster
99-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC HUD cluster
01-04 US SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster
01-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster (SUPER RARE & $$$)
2003 US SPEC Anniversary Edition HUD cluster (50th Logo on Speedo)
2003 Export Spec 50th AE??? I've never seen one...but possibly???
Other than that, I've only run into one other variance, and it was a Nippon Seki Prototype that never made it into a production car.
Now, on the speedo. The simple answer is that your cluster does hold odometer readings, and that if not changed properly (or with correct mileage programming), the mileage on the dash will read incorrectly. That's not to say that it can't be checked elsewhere in the car, for fraud and/or warranty purposes. One also needs to keep in mind that odometer fraud is a serious FEDERAL OFFENSE and should not be tolerated by anyone in the Corvette community.
When changing the cluster to a different design such as the Z06 or Anniversary clusters, one only needs to swap the main circuit board in the new cluster with the card from their existing cluster to maintain proper mileage readouts (though you should still check before and after install to make sure you are correct). I've not tested the compatability of swapping circuit boards between US and Canadian/Export clusters as I wasn't aware if there were any differences to control the different calibration of the speedometer, though it's possible that it might work. If doing this, I'd make sure to check it's accuracy after the install against a known speed (either radar, or approx. test with following vehicle and cell phone to gauge speed).
If changing the cluster out in order to install HUD, you will need a new board for your cluster (or a whole new cluster) that is HUD enabled. This board MUST BE PROGRAMMED before installing it to get the correct mileage readings onto the board to keep within federal mandates. You can then put this board into your existing cluster (keeping as much as possible original on the car) and use the basic HUD kit to add HUD at that time. You can check with forum vendors first, though if you don't find success there, I sell them on eBay under the name CarolinaCorvettes.
Josh
I'll list out the possible clusters...that way it's stored in the archives for everyone searching.
97-early 99 US SPEC non-HUD cluster
97-early 99 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC non-HUD Cluster
99-04 US SPEC HUD cluster
99-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC HUD cluster
01-04 US SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster
01-04 CANDADIAN/Export SPEC Z06 HUD Cluster (SUPER RARE & $$$)
2003 US SPEC Anniversary Edition HUD cluster (50th Logo on Speedo)
2003 Export Spec 50th AE??? I've never seen one...but possibly???
Other than that, I've only run into one other variance, and it was a Nippon Seki Prototype that never made it into a production car.
Now, on the speedo. The simple answer is that your cluster does hold odometer readings, and that if not changed properly (or with correct mileage programming), the mileage on the dash will read incorrectly. That's not to say that it can't be checked elsewhere in the car, for fraud and/or warranty purposes. One also needs to keep in mind that odometer fraud is a serious FEDERAL OFFENSE and should not be tolerated by anyone in the Corvette community.
When changing the cluster to a different design such as the Z06 or Anniversary clusters, one only needs to swap the main circuit board in the new cluster with the card from their existing cluster to maintain proper mileage readouts (though you should still check before and after install to make sure you are correct). I've not tested the compatability of swapping circuit boards between US and Canadian/Export clusters as I wasn't aware if there were any differences to control the different calibration of the speedometer, though it's possible that it might work. If doing this, I'd make sure to check it's accuracy after the install against a known speed (either radar, or approx. test with following vehicle and cell phone to gauge speed).
If changing the cluster out in order to install HUD, you will need a new board for your cluster (or a whole new cluster) that is HUD enabled. This board MUST BE PROGRAMMED before installing it to get the correct mileage readings onto the board to keep within federal mandates. You can then put this board into your existing cluster (keeping as much as possible original on the car) and use the basic HUD kit to add HUD at that time. You can check with forum vendors first, though if you don't find success there, I sell them on eBay under the name CarolinaCorvettes.
Josh
Does anyone know what an '01 C5 building sheet cluster "BU" is?
Thanks Curtis
