v6 to v8 swap

[JMULL]

Hey Guys! I am doing a v6 to v8 swap in the near future. I have a 1997 Camaro V6 thats being swap with a 1996 Camaro Z28 that will be the donor car. I have some general questions. First off I realize that I will need a 150mph speedo for my car and I realize that the pin out for the cluster from a 1996 is different than a 1997... so heres the question lets say ive done the swap.. will my harness that is in my car now (the gauge harness that is, the one that is under that dash) now work with a V8 gauge cluster?....Also if anyone has done this swap give me so helpful tips and hints, I have a lift and everything so it will make things a lot easier. but any tips that you have would be well appreciated. Also another odd ball question My v6 car has second gear start will that switch be replaced with ASR switch or how does that work?

Thanks everyone!

[ACiFiC]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

search around using the search button, there should be some useful information.

[2.8 Bird]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Since you already have the donor car just transfer the whole thing.

[truekoa]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

You're kind of going back in years there buddy.

As for the cluster, any 97+ cluster should work on your car. If you are changing to the car harness from the 96, you can buy a connector from GM, and use ONLY a 97 year cluster.

This is the part # for the connector 12065803.

[JMULL]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Sweet thanks for that part number! But lets say I dont change the car harness, and I plug a V8 speedo into my car would it then work? I guess what im trying to ask are there cretin wires that did not get run to the V6 that would cause the gauges not to work?

[transamtom1]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Wasn't 97 the first year for the digital odometer?

It will take some work but it can be done.

[ronniew]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

I have a 97 and it isnt digital

[JMULL]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Yea sorta the first year mid way through the year they switched over to digital. Thats another problem I may run into is if the digital will work on a car that had analog..my goal is to find a 1997 Z28 that had the analog speedo like my v6 car does, so if anyone know anybody please let me kno lol

[truekoa]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

I think you should be able to plug in a 93-96 analog V8 cluster into your harness, the readings might be off though.

I did not know the changed from analog to digital halfway in 97, i thought all 97's had digital clusters. Cool

[JMULL]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

yea and thats why I assume that you could plug a digital gauge even though the car had analog because I dont think gm would change a whole car harness mid year ya know?...also with that harness if I do have to end up swapping the harness is anyone familiar with how to actually remove the pinouts from the 96 harness so I could move them straight to the connector?

[FirebirdGT]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

FYI - some background info on the clusters

http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=99341
.

[MegaHertz]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Nice to see the circuit board, I'm guessing its a pita to get to. I never realized there were that many bulbs. Given the dim nature of my dash I'm guessing most of them are out.

The OP has a 97 - that lists as 93-96. Did they change the cluster circuit board and layout between the years?

[Need4Camaro]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Nice to see the circuit board, I'm guessing its a pita to get to. I never realized there were that many bulbs. Given the dim nature of my dash I'm guessing most of them are out.

The OP has a 97 - that lists as 93-96. Did they change the cluster circuit board and layout between the years?

yes. the 97 has a 98+ style cluster with a non-digital odometer.

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

yes. the 97 has a 98+ style cluster with a non-digital odometer.

Partially true. 97 has a digital odo

[Need4Camaro]

Re: v6 to v8 swap

Partially true. 97 has a digital odo

Only SOME of them had digital odometers. The majority were still analog. I have proof of this as my 97 RS was also analog but had the 98+ style tail lights.