chevnut55

I want to keep the stock speedo and tack in my 69 camaro but its harder than I thought.
either buy a expencive vss to cable box or send it out and pay alot to have it converted.
Is there any other way to use my factory speedometer?
with all the swap,morden,up grade and useless billet junk made for my car I did not think the gauges would be a problem.
any ideas?

ryeguy2006a

iTrader: (27)

Look at Dakota Digitals VHX series. Not original, but really cool looking.

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

This is a good question!
There are a couple of people who drilled and tapped the tailhousing of the tranny, then inserted a speedo gear and ran the conventional way.
My TKO has an alternate port for mechanical drive, as well as the VSS.
I used the mechanical drive and retained the original speedometer.

sierrac3_s2000

iTrader: (6)

Have you looked at newvintageusa.com ? They have some retro styled gauges very similar to the stock 60s era gauges and they are fully electronic. They also don't have logos on the dial face like most after market gauges do.

http://www.newvintageusa.com/1969.html

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

I have seen car mag articles where this guy specialized in inserting a modern speedo unit into stock housings. Can't remember the article, it was a small specialty shop but the guy did take in work.

Your other option for a manual trans is an after market TKO or T56 trans. The TKO comes with both mechanical and electronic speedo hook ups. The T56 can be ordered with the mechanical.

If you run an auto trans then Jags That Run sells a tailhousing kit to convert from electronic to mechanical. It's not cheap either.

FWIW, I kept the stock gauges on my swap. Sort of wish I had a more modern and accurate tach. New gauges aren't all bad.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

There was a couple of guys on here that were working on a unit similar to the Cable-X but without the cable, was supposed to mount directly to the back of the speedo. Also was supposed to be cheaper. But I think the project got scrapped or they lost interest because the couldn't get it to work since there's been no updates in a long time.

I think the reason the aftermarket hasn't stepped up is because there are too many different speedos. Also a limited market. Most people with 69 Camaros would have no need for an electric one.

Have you tried to figure a way to put the electric parts from a newer speedo in yours? Basically you need the correct sweep and for the odometer to be in the correct place. Round speedos like yours are easier than the long sweep kind like a Nova has. I've been trying to figure out how to make one for my nova for a long time.

chevnut55

I thought about that. I will have to bring my speedometer to the junkyard and try to find a match.
I was hoping someone alredy did it so I would know what to do.
the swap is already way over budget and behind time. but hate to drive with no speedo.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

It would take some work, but this would probably do it. It's a '96-97 s-10 speedometer. It's the only one I have found that has it's own circut board and isn't incorporated into the whole cluster. I put these into 67-72 chevy trucks. The sweep is a little different for them, but for a '69 Camaro 120mph speedo it would be really close if not spot on. Heres a thread on my truck speedo. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512751

chevnut55

I read the post, nice work. there is money to be made if peope are paing $300-$400 on a cable converter box that not that great.
Like me not everyone is a fan of aftermarket gauges.
If I have time i will give it a shot. thanks for the info and if you decide to start converting over other speedo gauges let me know.

130fe

iTrader: (14)

Chevnut55, take a look at post 27 in this thread- http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/show....php4?p=460742 Might give you another option.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Damn! That is NICE!! Hate to think what it would cost though.

MDCaprice

iTrader: (10)

New vintage 3 in 1



http://www.newvintageusa.com/69camaro.html


Jim

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

For the round speedo guys check out the GM van speedometers from the mid 80`s up. I have found several different styles in the full size vans with anywhere from 85 to 120 mph top speed depending on the year. Oh and some years have the odometer below center with the trip above center and other years are opposite.

chevnut55

I will call redline to see what it cost.
The speedo isremoved...just need to wait for 3+ feet of snow to melt to go to the junkard and look at vans and s10s

chevnut55

I talked to redline gauges and they do the swap for $250.00
Not bad ,the odemeter will read digital with a milage re set.
If I had a 140 speedo they can re face it to 160 but it would cost $350.
I just need to find a replacement 69 camaro instrument cluster to send in with my speedometer since the oem one split in 1/2 while removing.
I hope to get it out to redline asap so its ready when bill at bp finishes my harness ,everythings ready to hook up .

m0ondoggy

You get this done yet? I sent my 68 Cluster to them last week. In case anyone is interested it's about $300 to get the 68 Speedo done because there is extra work because of the shape of the housing according to them.

I was not at all impressed with the performance of the Cable-X. I'd have saved money if i had just gone with this conversion in the first place.

bczee

iTrader: (12)

I would check some of the older car magazines.. and some Hemmings web sites that are dedicated to older car restorations.

as stated, I recall the ad on retro'in speedo and gagues.

BC

Chevy-art

iTrader: (4)

The New Vintage are nice looking.

Docked Wage

I did a 67 RS and kept the original gauges.

For the speedo drive cable I got the tailshaft housing and gears from Shiftworks.

For the tach I used the Dakota Digital SDI-8 and took the signal right from the PCM. The tach is accurate to within 25 RPM of what the ECM is sending out.

m0ondoggy

I think its an SGI-8, I have the same unit and I'll second that, it's a nice piece of kit. Probably the easiest thing I installed.