v8vette84

Ok here's my situation. I'm doing a LT1/T-56 swap in my 84 Corvette. I'm using I believe a 95' T-56 and a 95' LT1. I have been looking for a nice looking gauge setup to use. I think I want to use/modify either a Firebird or Camaro LT1 gauge cluster as I can wire up all the gauges with no problems. All except one.... the speedometer, I have spent the last 3+ hours searching for the info I need but I can't find it so i'm asking now. Basically what I'm wondering is if I use say a 96' Trans am guage cluster can I run the T-56 Vss signal directly to the speedometer? I am running a stand alone harness for the LT1 and I have no Vss leads into the harness as the company that made it said the ECM only needs Vss for auto transmission functions, EGR operation, AIR system, etc. Can I run the vss right to the speedo or do I need a converter box or something? Also are the manual and auto clusters the same?

carlos64030

iTrader: (5)

Cars that have a manual tranny will have a 'Skip-Shift' indicator on the cluster.

v8vette84

Anyone know if a T-56 VSS signal can be run directly to the speedometer in an LT1 car?

Octavarium

iTrader: (4)

I always thought the speedometer in a LT1 car took its reading directly from the VSS, but I'm not completely sure on that.

v8vette84

That's what I have read. I was just curious also if the Auto speedometers read different pulse per mile rates than the Manual clusters.

mguidry629

iTrader: (6)

Auto trannies have 40 pulses and standards are ???...not sure, but I know it's much less, I want to say 16. I know when I tune my speedo in my pcm for different tires or gears it changes the dash speedo, so I would assume that the pcm signals the guage what to read, based on the tune and VSS signal. I'm thinking you will need an input and output to/from the pcm, but I could be wrong on that...(I'm just thinking out loud here (and free bump)).

v8vette84

Well considering the harness I received has no VSS input or output wires I would have to wire it in manually if I needed too. I have been reading that the PCM is required in the loop to regulate the tranny VSS signal to determine gears and tires and such. I looked at an LT1 pinout and what I see is 2 VSS inputs (Low and High) and one VSS signal out wire (and it specs it out at 4000 pulses per mile, which is what the T-56 VSS is supposed to put out) I have heard the T-56's are wired directly to the speedometer but I'm not 100% sure if it will work. Anyone have anything to add? I got myself a 1997 LT1 Camaro Z28 Cluster off ebay and just want to confirm if I hook up the T-56 VSS directly if it will work. Also what are the low and high inputs about? I only thought there was one VSS signal wire?

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

If I were doing something like this, I would do a full custom gauge cluster. Something along the lines of this with autometer gauges:



Personally, I'd lay it all out in paper/cardboard as a mock-up first, and then when I found what way I like it best, I'd have sheet metal cut into that shape/pattern, and then either paint it or have emblempros hydrocoat it and make it look nice.

Just an idea

v8vette84

My main problem is that I feel autometer gauges look boring given the space in a C4 cluster. I want more modern looking gauges. Which is what I hope to accomplish with an LT1 F-body cluster.

sempire

iTrader: (5)

Where are you now with this? Any pictures?

v8vette84

It's installed in the car and working as far as I can tell. The gauges are hooked up to all the senders so I have to run the car to see if they work properly. (Still missing a few parts then I'll be able to run her.) But otherwise it's in and working. I was lucky enough to get a cluster that has 45k on it. I hear a lot of people don't want to swap to the 97' cluster style b/c they can only find high mileage clusters. Here's a pic...

v8vette84

The only downside is there is no clear cover for it, to keep debris out. But I'm sure nothing will hit it. We'll see how it works out.