gas gauge compatability

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Jun 22, 2006 | 10:40 AM

tuske427

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From: Los Angeles

gas gauge compatability

Hi:

I just completed an LS1 swap into my 1984 Trans Am. The fuel gauge doesn't seem to work. The needle is way past the full mark and just sits there.

I was told this may not work, but I'd like to be able to have a working gas gauge.

Is there someone who can recalibrate/ rebuild it?

Would a later 3rd gen gas gauge work?

would a 4th gen gauge work (assuming it's an independant unit behind the dash panel and it can be relocated into the 3rd gen dash)

Or am I stuck buying a universal gas gauge?

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

-BV

Jun 22, 2006 | 07:19 PM

LS1RS89

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From: Latrobe PA

What sending unit and tank are you using? If you are still on the original stuff the gauge should work fine just do not wire to the new pcm, just sending unit to gauge. If you swapped in a 98 or newer tank you will either have to put a universal sending unit in the tank or by an aftermarket gauge

Jun 23, 2006 | 12:24 AM

tuske427

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It's the 2002 stock tank/ factory stuff.

Could a fuel gauge be taken form a 4th gen car, or is it one big integral unit in the cluster?

Jun 23, 2006 | 07:02 AM

onfire

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tuske427

It's the 2002 stock tank/ factory stuff.

Could a fuel gauge be taken form a 4th gen car, or is it one big integral unit in the cluster?

It's integral.

Best bet is to buy a programmable Autometer gauge. The 1999 and up GM senders are 33ohm empty, 250ohm full....I couldn't find an aftermarket gauge to hit those crazy numbers. Only bad thing is Autometer programmable is $109

Jun 23, 2006 | 07:32 AM

SMOKINV8

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You can edit how the PCM interprets the sender signal through tuning (HP Tuners). I haven't had a chance to mess with it, but I will as soon as a buddy's car gets finished up, he's running aftermarket gauges that should require a little recalibration.

Jun 23, 2006 | 10:11 AM

LS1RS89

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From: Latrobe PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by onfire

Yup, I have the same tank. Either a programmable gauge, or get a universal 0-90 ohm sending unit. what I did was send my autometer standard gauge into their repair center and they installed a new gauge movement with the correct parameters for a whopping $12. I did this because it was cheaper than the programmable one and I was on a budget and I wanted all of my gauges to match and the programmable would not have

Jun 23, 2006 | 10:16 AM

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From: Knoxville, TN

your car uses the 0-90 ohm sender GM has used for years, if you would have used a 98 (steel) f-body tank you wold have been in luck snce they use the 0-90 still and switched in 99+

LS1 fuel gauges go through the PCM, I assume you arent using the PCM for the gas gauge since its serial data on a 99+ I believe. Best solution IMO would be to keep the stock gauge would be either pop a hole in the tank for an aftermatket sender or try to get an aftermarket universal 0-90ohm sender mounted to the stock fuel module in the tank.