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Retrofitting an FC turboII gauge cluster in an '83

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Old 03-26-09, 10:57 AM
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Retrofitting an FC turboII gauge cluster in an '83

Beleive it or not, I could not find a thread covering this even after a few advanced searches.

So I might be picking up an '83 GSL very soon, and it has that god awful 85mph speedo in it Theres a turboII '88 cluster (160mph) on ebay right now I might pick up.

Has anyone done this before? I saw some mention of rewiring in my searches, but from the pictures it looks like the FB connectors should plug into it.





Does anyone know if it will be at least somewhat accurate when it comes to temps/ fuel level/ rpms/ mphs... ect... ? Fitment nor rewiring wont be an issue, I can work some magic when it comes to a clean install. Im just hoping it will be somewhat accurate when all is said and done

-Thanks
Old 03-26-09, 11:02 AM
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sounds like a great idea...my original speedo is starting to become a little too retro...lol well no that its a bad thing....keep us updated ! if ur FB was turbo'd, do you think its possible to hook up to the boost gauges as well? i'd like the style of that very much, but hell, not like i have a turbo anyway
Old 03-26-09, 11:23 AM
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Im not thinking this car will be turbo, in the forseeable future anyway. Last summer however, I got my last FB up to ~140, but didnt know for sure because the last printed speed was 130. NA also. I just want to have the room to see what it maxes out at. And some room for improvement

Im sure the boost guage would work as well as everything else... But for the price, and look of some of the aftermarket boost gauges, Id certainly go that route. I think its glow shift, you can choose 7? different light colors at the push of a button.
Old 03-26-09, 11:41 AM
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if the speedo stops at 85 the car/cluster is not an 83.
Old 03-26-09, 12:49 PM
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I don't believe the FC had any warning lights in the cluster. This may pose a problem with your idea.
Old 03-26-09, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Sgt Fox
I don't believe the FC had any warning lights in the cluster. This may pose a problem with your idea.
there is that minor detail too
Old 03-26-09, 01:00 PM
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Right the 83 cluster should be a 130 mph gauge, and the only light on the FC's cluster is for the high beams, all the other warning lights are in a seperate cluster along with a clock mounted centrally on the dash... You're best bet would be to just get a correct 83 Cluster and be done with it.
Old 03-26-09, 01:26 PM
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right. the 81 and 82 cluster stop at 85. the 83 still has the same pins/clips on the back but goes over 120. the 84 looks similar but the pins/clips on the back are different.
Old 03-26-09, 02:06 PM
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Hmm thats weird, I didnt think that 81's or 82's had rear disc brakes.. Which this car does Interesting. Im guessing then it has a swapped cluster. Ill have to look into that. At least it runs good.
Thanks for pointing out the warning lights, not that they ever came on much in the past, but it is nice to know when your low on oil, vs. completely out..
Other than the warning lights, you guys think it woulod work?
Old 03-26-09, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by slayerx7
Hmm thats weird, I didnt think that 81's or 82's had rear disc brakes.. Which this car does Interesting. Im guessing then it has a swapped cluster. Ill have to look into that. At least it runs good.
Thanks for pointing out the warning lights, not that they ever came on much in the past, but it is nice to know when your low on oil, vs. completely out..
Other than the warning lights, you guys think it woulod work?
the gsl in both those years had disc brakes
Old 03-26-09, 02:11 PM
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on a side note why would you still want to get a turbo II cluster when people have given you a plug and play option?
Old 03-26-09, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 2cute
right. the 81 and 82 cluster stop at 85. the 83 still has the same pins/clips on the back but goes over 120. the 84 looks similar but the pins/clips on the back are different.


I've got an '82 but I don't have the 85 mph speedo...
Old 03-26-09, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by mazpower


I've got an '82 but I don't have the 85 mph speedo...
what month was the car made in? and are you sure its the original?
Old 03-26-09, 03:27 PM
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Yea it could have been switched or something and like 2cute said, all 81-85 GSL's have rear disks. Also remember these cars are old enough that anything could have been switched around, there is always a good chance something is not original to the car.
Old 03-26-09, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 2cute
on a side note why would you still want to get a turbo II cluster when people have given you a plug and play option?
Because what fun is that! Naah, you ever notice when you sit in a car with a really high speedometer, it just feels faster? Like listening to Ministry, you tend to drive faster sort of thing... Id love to have one that says 200, but thats completely custom there, unless theres a way to reduce the gear reduction of the mechanism, and use a 200kph background one.

But for now having a printed 160 is pretty cool. And last time I measured and marked where they would be...




but I cut sticker paper, and didnt think the texture would show too much depth like it did. I think Id be better off hand painting it, or having an artist friend do it. I liked the idea of the "redline" mph's. But thats kinda getting off topic here. Id be very happy with the challenge of getting the TII cluster to work properly, and wouldnt paying closer attention to the gauges lessen the need for the warning lights?
Old 03-26-09, 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by slayerx7

I really like that. Its pretty awesome.
Old 03-26-09, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 2cute
what month was the car made in? and are you sure its the original?
Not sure on the month. I'm fairly certain the cluster is original but you never know. Either case I'm glad its not an 85 mph speedo.
Old 03-27-09, 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by slayerx7
That's just home depot motor sports and boro boro enough for me to like it.
Old 03-27-09, 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by slayerx7
?
wow, you're car does 0-200 really damn quick, too bad it jumps down to 40 after that haha.
Old 03-27-09, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by slayerx7
Because what fun is that! Naah, you ever notice when you sit in a car with a really high speedometer, it just feels faster? Like listening to Ministry, you tend to drive faster sort of thing... Id love to have one that says 200, but thats completely custom there, unless theres a way to reduce the gear reduction of the mechanism, and use a 200kph background one.

But for now having a printed 160 is pretty cool. And last time I measured and marked where they would be...




but I cut sticker paper, and didnt think the texture would show too much depth like it did. I think Id be better off hand painting it, or having an artist friend do it. I liked the idea of the "redline" mph's. But thats kinda getting off topic here. Id be very happy with the challenge of getting the TII cluster to work properly, and wouldnt paying closer attention to the gauges lessen the need for the warning lights?
ok first of all different doesnt always mean better. secondly im not going to say what i really want to for fear of you running to the mods and telling on me. but in short you are a moron. i really REALLY hope the pic you posted is a big fat joke.

Originally Posted by mazpower
Not sure on the month. I'm fairly certain the cluster is original but you never know. Either case I'm glad its not an 85 mph speedo.
the reason i ask month is because if it was late enough in the production year its possible you got the 83 cluster BUT who knows. if you truly have an 82 and it doesnt stop at 85 then you have an 83 cluster. also look at the 83s in the middle of production year they changed a whole bunch of MAJOR ****.......cluster excluded
Old 03-27-09, 10:59 AM
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Just buy a Aussie spec cluster and put that in your car if you want one that reads up to 200.

We never got any mph in the background though, so you will need to keep an eye on your speed or constantly be doing kph/mph calulations in your head!

Cam...
Old 03-27-09, 11:06 AM
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well not only that but its no guaranteed it will be accurate
Old 03-27-09, 11:07 AM
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About as accurate as sticking MPH stickers on your current cluster???
Old 03-27-09, 11:09 AM
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lol well i already kinda covered that with calling the kid a moron
Old 03-27-09, 11:17 AM
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Why call him a moron? Its a good joke, I doubt he can ever get up to his 140mph marker. If i sat down into a car and saw that, I would smile.



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