Has anyone put a GT500 instrument panel on their GT? (or V6?)

Pics? Any issues? Cost?

I really like the right-side-up modern-looking numbers on the GT500 gauges, versus the concentrically aligned retro numbers on the GT/V6. How about aftermarket black-faced right-side-up-numbered gauges? Anyone have those? I haven't found any.

 

question does it keep boost gauge functionality etc for blow cars and the shift light.

 

<Partial Hijack>

After reading that old thread, nothing was said about:

• Did anyone ever get the boost gauge to work?
• Are the secondary gauges "idiot lights" still or are they real gauges?

Anyone with the GT500 cluster chime in!

 

Ok... looks like this is expensive.

I bought my GT500 cluster from Tousley Ford for $223 + shipping. There was a $300 core charge. The "expense" is having the dealership install it. They must do this because the "data" must be downloaded from your existing cluster onto the replacement. My dealership charged me $190 for 30 minutes of work .


So now the question is... Has anyone run into a black-faced instrument cluster "background" that has modern numbering instead of retro numbering?

I don't think anyone makes such an animal.....


Did anyone ever get the boost gauge to work?

Not that I'm aware of. Answers to a couple of questions would help, such as:

1) Is the GT500 PCM the same as all other S197s? If so, I believe a modified GT500 tune file is the answer.

2) If the PCM is different, is the pin-out the same?


Are the secondary gauges "idiot lights" still or are they real gauges?

No different from the 4-gauge GT cluster..

Here's my "likes" and "dislikes" of the GT500 cluster:

Likes:
a) Love the speedo on the left. I've been driving third gen Camaros for about twenty years and I'm used to this. Never could get used to looking to the right to check my speed..

b) My-Color has an additional setting not seen on the GT cluster: R-W-B. Here's a pic.

c) I originally thought the shift light had to be activated / set on the tune file. I was wrong. It can be programmed with the message center buttons. The light itself can be turned on/off. The audio chime can be turned on/off. And most importantly, the rpm can be set also. This function is independent of the rev limit which is set in the tune file.

Dislikes:
a) Only one. Don't like the background color. It's a light shade of charcoal and in bright sunlight (especially with glare off the lens), there isn't much contrast and very difficult to read. Now if someone were to make a black-faced GT500 overlay..... we're talkin' now!

 

Wow, very informative post. Answered most of my questions in one go, thanks.

What is this "core" charge? Does it have something to do with returning your stock instrument cluster? I would like to keep my original cluster in case I want to sell my car later.

So if I understand this right, you paid $223 (cluster) + shipping + $300 (core??) + $190 (labor)? Can you explain what the core charge is? Thanks!

 

A core charge is something found on a lot of auto parts. It works kind of like a deposit to encourage/ force the buyer to turn in the old part so it can be rebuilt/reused. So if you were to outright buy the cluster it would be $533. But if you exchange your old cluster in, then they'd take off the $300 core charge so the cluster would be $233. You get the new cluster cheaper (Even if the core charge didn't exist it would probably be a little more expensive because they wouldn't get anything back) and they get the used one they can recondition and resell, which will come in handy for when those parts aren't produced anymore. This is a practice seen on everthing from starters and alternators to batteries.

 

http://www.blackcatcustom.com/

The guy has been around for at least 10 years that I personally know of. He can custom make whatever you want. I plan on getting some next spring.

 

I found the Part # and list price on the GT500 Cluster. It is:

Instrument Cluster part no. 7R3Z*10849*GA, list $311.66

There is also, of course, the $300.00 core charge.

 

Edited Chit Chat & Left Member Review & Pertinent Q&A

Mgb,

KC