Project Dash Swap!

[Chris from Washington]

I think I may have mentioned to a couple of you, that since I don't drive the Camaro anymore. I thought I would attempt to install a dash out of a newer model year. I bought a 91 dash a few years back, and it's been sitting in my garage ever since. So finally I started on the project!
So far, things are going pretty well and I'm almost done. So I thought I would post some pics of my progress.
Here is the old 84 dash.
As you can tell, that old car came with nothing special. Originally it didn't even have oil/tach ect. I put a 87 cluster in there a few years back, but even that didn't make it look any better.

[Chris from Washington]

As I started to remove the dash, I started to look at the 20+ year old carpet. Well needless to say, out it came too!

I've never really been all that fond of the blue inside, so I think I'm going to replace it with a dark charcoal. And get grey or dark grey plastic all inside to go with it.

[Chris from Washington]

As I took more stuff out, the more I learned what I was going to need to use this new dash.
Right off the bat, I realized that my old cable driven heater wasn't going to work with the new dash. My old dash had these vent cables under the steering colum, to let outside air in. Well the new dash doesn't accept these, so I got a vaccum ran heater box. Physically it fit, but I still need to get the vacuum all hooked up and make sure it works.
I also found that the new fan controls use different connectors when it comes to the heater blower. Since I'm trying to keep this looking factory as much as I can. I'm going to get a new blower moter assy from a 90-92 model. Instead of cutting the wires to 'make' it work with my old style blower.


This new dash I got, is pretty much all intact. All the wires are there, even the ones that go toward the back for the tail lights ect.

So allows me later on, to add options my car originally didn't have. Like the power seats, mirrors windows ect. So later on, I'll start getting that stuff, and wiring it all up too.

To actually wire up the dash, for the most part. All I had to do is look at the bulkhead harness for the 84, and that of the 91. See which wires 'matched up' then any that didn't move around, so they did! Worked pretty well!

So here is where I'm at right now.
Got the dash all in, and for the most part everything works!
The only thing that isn't working yet is the speedo. 82-89 Fbodies were cable driven speedos, then in 90 the Camaro went electronic.

So I had to buy a electronic VSS, but the one I got is geared wrong, so just need to order a new gear, and I'm ready to go.

[Chris from Washington]

I really like the new cluster, much more modern looking and not so boring looking.

And I know you're all wondering, the answer is YES I will be putting LEDs in it (lol)

[TechSys]

New cluster does look better. I'm glad somebody else is not afraid to tackle something like this.
Probably gonna try a dash swap soon in the Astro. Trying to find a nice newer model dash.

Looks good though.

[solacedagony]

Yep looks much better to me too. I wanna see the LED projects on this bad boy :)

[cargodz]

Definate improvement! The only thing that really seams to be missing is the 140mph speedo, but that's easily enough overlooked by most.
Can't wait to see the LED's:)

[OnYrMrk]

hmmm 35,000 miles...you sure that is accurate?

[Chris from Washington]

Definate improvement! The only thing that really seams to be missing is the 140mph speedo, but that's easily enough overlooked by most.
Can't wait to see the LED's:)


Ya I was thinking of that today, I'll always be on the lookout for one on ebay or the JY's.

[Chris from Washington]

hmmm 35,000 miles...you sure that is accurate?

oh sure it is (lol)

when I do the LEDs, I'll just reset that back to 0. :)

[Ryan from Ohio]

Youre not to tamper witht hat Chris...

Now if you ever sell the car you need to disclose the odometer is inaccurate ;)

[Chris from Washington]

lol I'll never sell this car, I've had it since I was 16 and always will.

shoot, don't even know what the real odometer reading is!!

[Ryan from Ohio]

lol

[brisgreat1]

new dash was definitley worth all the time / energy
looks nice

[Chris from Washington]

Thanks!

Car is going to look brand new again, when I finally get done. Just going to take my time, and start replacing pieces here and there.

[Chris from Washington]

Well today, got the speedo gear I needed. So wired up the speedo, and took it around the block........ and it worked!!!!

woohoo!!

Also on Sunday, hooked the vacuum line up for the heater. That worked too! All the little flap doors move the way they are suppose too.

Neat how all this stuff is working like it's suppose too!

Now, going to start looking for interior pieces in a dark grey I think.

[William from NOLA]

lol, all I can see is you all suprised everything works

awesome tho!

[Chris from Washington]

Yes I am VERY surprised that everything is working!

[Chris from Washington]

Got some updates since I last posted.
Over the past couple weekends, I've been able to:

1. Get the new heater system all working. Was able to install the newer heater blower fan. Also since this is an A/C version blower fan, it has a higher speed that the standard version doesn't have. So once I go get the relay, it should blow out alot more air then what the old one did.
All the vents work off the vacuum like they are suppose too (I'm really surprised by this too).

2. I'm about done with everything on the dash. So put the dash pad back on, and also installed the lower dash parts. So most of the wiring is hidden now, and it looks much more complete.
Now the fun stuff!!


3. Since I've got this all apart, I kept looking at my doors. Manual door, no power anything. Well let's change this!!!
Pulled out the old manual window regulators (what a pain in the butt!!!) And installed some power window regulators (not any easier!!! Going to need new tint :( )
Installed all the factory power accessory wiring into the doors, and ran the wires to where the switches need to go. And as of yesterday, I have 1 power window!!
I've already removed the manual mirror, and just need to bolt up the power one. Just ran out of time this weekend. I'm also going to hook up my power door locks to the factory wiring since it's there now too!

[Chris from MI]

Looks good man. Need to get some new weather stripping for that window though. LOL Im sure it will look good once complete. One question though....Where you going to put all the LED's????

[Chris from Washington]

Ya, that weatherstripping is on the list of 'things that need fixed bad'.

Oh, already have the LED plans!!

I'm going to get the Z28 tail lights, and convert the brake/tail/turn and backup lights all to LED :) Should look pretty sweet.

Also, trying to think of how I want to do the cluster in LED. Since it's a yellow numbers, I can't really go with the whitish/bluish look I like. Since it would light up green with the yellow numbers.

I might try and find if anyone makes gages with a clear numbers. Then it be cool, during daytime hours have it light up the yellow. Then when I turn on the headlights. They yellow LED shut off, and the whitish/bluish ones come on!! That would look cool I think!!

[Chris from Washington]

It Works!!!!

6UNebx_Cncw

[Darthness]

wish i had the luxury of a damn power window.

[Chris from Washington]

You should look into see if it's possible to convert yours. Overall it wasn't too hard to do on mine. The doors were made to accept either regulator, so it mounted right up!

[Chris from Washington]

Hey guys,

Rate my CarDomain page.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2034

Trying to get it ranked higher!

Sign the guest book too.

[Chris from Washington]

Got my power mirror switch today.

So ran out and hooked it up, and the mirrors work now!
I've got me a fancy car now (lol)

[Team AI]

hehe man your pissin' in tall cotton now aren't you LOL

[Chris from Washington]

Well got the new carpet installed today, and I love the new color!
Can't wait to get all the plastic back in too.
Here is a pic with the carpet, and a test fitment of the center console

[brisgreat1]

thats coming along real nice man, props

[Darthness]

niceee

[Chris from Washington]

Thanks!
I can't believe how different this car looks compared to how it did last August when I started all this.

Oh ya, everyone boost my rating on cardomain.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2034

I'm trying to get to the top of the first page for all 82-92 Camaros.

[smoker]

how bout an exterior shot?

[Chris from Washington]

Don't have any current pics, but here is an older one I found
http://www.oz.net/~cdoyle/images/Newcamaro/camaro5.JPG

My exterior plans are to replace the front and rear bumper and replace with ones from a 92, then add the 92 GFX too.

Then replace the wheels (not sure with what yet)

Get it repainted.

oh ya, going to get the Z28 grid style tail lights, and convert everything to LED. Brake/Turn and reverse.

I'm sure I'll think of other stuff along the way too.

[Darthness]

get some better wheels, hit it with a nice black or blue paint job, that'll be a hot car.

[Chris from Washington]

Ya it's going to be blue of some kind, might have to go really close to the original color, so I don't' have to repaint all the door jams and everything.

I actually like this color when I first got it, it used to really shine almost like a mirror. But now the paint is so bad, it looks more like sandpaper.

[Darthness]

http://www.skulte.com/albums/album03/Bayside_Camaro.sized.jpg

thats where its at.

[Chris from Washington]

Not a big fan of the hood, but I like the wheels.

Those would be the bumpers and ground effects I'll be installing.

[Darthness]

eah im not a fan of th ehood.. but thats a hot color for that style camaro

[Chris from Washington]

Another Update!

Actually audio related too (lol)

Put down the sound deadener in the back, I went with that peel and seal stuff that was mentioned in another thread. Stuff seams pretty good, gets really sticky if you warm it up, and easy to apply. I like the fact that I can just go to Lowes and pick more up if I need too. Don't have to order it online and wait a week, or pay through the nose for Dynamat at a Stereo shop.

Also got all my KnuKonceptz 1/0 wire and RCA's today, so I ran all those.

Tomorrow, I should get the last piece of carpet to finish that center console. So I'll get that mounted, and get the heater control installed and all that put back together!

http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/audio/sound-deadner-web.jpg

This is getting fun now :)

[smoker]

is that a v-6 car?

[Chris from Washington]

is that a v-6 car?

In all it's glory!

First car I ever bought, and I still have it.
I remember how I wanted an 8 but the insurance for a 17 year old. My dad said, um no.

Oh well, now the car is just a project play around car. If I ever find someone who really knows their stuff, and knows how to swap engines. Maybe one day I won't be ashamed to open the hood (lol).

[smoker]

dont be ashamed of the v6, just build it up some, you can get decent performance from them......im just glad you arent stuck with one of the early 4 banger models.....

[Chris from Washington]

no kidding, the 6 is pretty bad. I couldn't even imagine what the 4 is like.

[Bwcad1]

my buddy has the same year and did the v8 swap. he also put a v8 in a bravada.

[Chris from Washington]

doesn't by chance live in Washington does he? :)

[Bwcad1]

nope lives right here lol.

[solacedagony]

Sweet job on the restoration man! Get that V-8 in there and you'll be SET! :)

[cargodz]

F-body V8 swap is probably one of the easiest to do... I didn't go back to the pics to look, but if it's an automatic... It will mate right up :)

[Chris from Washington]

Finally the console is in!
I still can't believe this dash works (lol)

Notice the Power window switches are installed too.
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/consolein2.jpg


http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/consolein1.jpg
Now the next thing I think I'm going to work on is, painting all the plastics with SEM Plastic Paint. Go with a dark charcoal on that too, then get all that reinstalled.
Then after that, going to try and redo my headliner with new material.

[Darthness]

quite nice man.

[Chris from Washington]

Thanks,
It's getting there, starting to look like a car again.
Pretty soon, I'll be starting on the exterior stuff I want too.

Swap out the front and rear bumpers off a 92, and then add the Aero ground effects from that year.

Then someday I'll be able to finally start on the system for it!

[Darthness]

don't forget - you need to replace allthe lighting.

[cargodz]

don't forget - you need to replace allthe lighting.
And while you're working on the lighting... I think all of us expect to see some kinda trick LED daytime running lamps or something mounted :p

Looks good:thumbsup

[Chris from Washington]

LED exterior lights are already planned :)

[Darthness]

look into the LEDs that lexus will be using for headlights too..

[Chris from Washington]

I've been waiting for info on those to come out, so far I haven't been really able to find anything.

I be curious to know how they did it, and if they are as bright or brighter then HIDs.

[Vikinglax18]

I cant see the damn picture cause this is my first post

[OnYrMrk]

wow...potty mouth....

either that or you are taking the dam tour, looking for the damn bait, and nearly drove off the dam road.

"Vegas Vacation"

It is sort of a post count thing. I am guessing though, it has been so long since I haven't been able to see the pictures because of my first post.

Just funnin wit ya...hope I didn't tick you off.

Welcome to the forum

[Vikinglax18]

haha. its cool. Im on realm of excursion alot more, and I thought it would be better to expand my horizon a little bit.

[Chris from Washington]

hmm, I don't think we have it set so you can't view pictures depending on post count. Does it say anything where the attachments are suppose to be?

[Bwcad1]

chris its set to like 10 posts or something.

[Chris from Washington]

chris its set to like 10 posts or something.
I didn't know it was that way to view images. I'll have to find out where that setting is!

Well here is the latest.
I reupholstered my headliner this week.
Went to Joanne Fabrics and got the grey headliner they had, it was on sale 3 yards was only $16 :thumbsup

So that gave me enough to do the headliner and also the rear speaker covers.

I think it turned out pretty good, no more sags or rips!!

Not sure about the color tho, I'm afraid that after I change the color of all the platics to dark grey, that it might stick out too much. So I might use some dye and dye it a darker color too.

http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/headliner_installed3_web.jpg

[smoker]

sweet, i love those body style camaros, next to mustangs ive owned more camaros than any other car....

[Chris from Washington]

Ya the 3rd gens are my favorites too.

nice new AV by the way too :)

[Sytar 69]

doesn't by chance live in Washington does he? :)
Hey Chris, If you need help doing a swap from a V6 to a V8 let me know. And you will want to swap trans also as the 700R4 isn't a good one. Swap in a Turbo 350 or a 400 trans. Might as well get a donor car for the engine and trans. Also are you going to run carb or F.I.? Scot for Z28

[Chris from Washington]

Got some more done this weekend.

First got my drivers door fixed, the upper hinges were worn out so the darn door wouldn't even shut!

Next, I installed all the newly painted interior pieces. I used the SEM Plastic and Vinyl paint, and went with Graphite as the color. I can't believe these are those same ugly blue panels I took out last fall!!

I also went ahead and used the paint on the headliner, the light gray just didn't match everything else. It really turned out nice, and glad I did it.

http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/headliner_dyed.jpg
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/new_panels1.jpg
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/new_panels2.jpg

Got some door panels coming and maybe I'll install those next week.

[Chris from Washington]

Got my door panels today.
Changed the colors of those to match the rest of the car.

The old color on the left, new on the right.
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/door%20panels_web.jpg

The part that is carpet is the area I want to make a door pod. Still not sure how I want to do it, but I want to try and make it look like it came from the factory with them. But that's a long ways off, not even close to do any audio stuff yet.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Ewwwww manual windows...

[brtnboarder3241]

hahhah....ryan..lol..that is looking very sweet and my best goodluck to ya.

[Chris from Washington]

Ewwwww manual windows...

You won't see the spot for the crank once I build the speaker pods in the doors. :)

[Darthness]

nice job!

[cargodz]

This project's really comin along... Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see it when it's done ;)

[Chris from Washington]

This project's really comin along... Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see it when it's done ;)

thanks!

I can't wait to see it when it's done too :happy055:

[Chris from Washington]

Worked on 1 of the doors tonight.
Installed the new outsweep, finally after all these years you can't see down into the door anymore!!
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/outersweep_web.jpg
Went ahead and installed the panel, wanted to see how it looks.
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/doorpanel1_web.jpg
Door Lock switch works too.
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/doorpanel2_web.jpg

[William from NOLA]

Nice. You're slowly getter her there!

[Jonathan]

You got it backwards. If you've got a project car laying around that you're not afraid to experiment with, you make it a rolling tin can and put all the money into the motor and tranny ;)

Everything looks nice so far, seriously

[Darthness]

nice man.

[Chris from Washington]

Moved to the exterior now, going to put the 91/92 style AERO GFX on the car.

And darn the luck I have, if my car was an 85. All I would need to do is swap out the GFX and swap the rear bumper cover. But because mine is a 84, I have to also swap out the front bumper cover.

Got the rear cover last weekend, and it bolted right up, and I'm hoping to get the front cover this weekend. Still need to find the front GFX tho, they are getting hard to find.

http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/Exterior/gfxwdoor_2.jpg
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/Camaro/Exterior/gfxwdoor_1.jpg

geeze, I can't wait to start on the audio stuff! Hopefully next summer!