79 Camaro Speedometer

Shantox · 02-08-2010, 08:55:14 PM

Hi guys,

Should a factory speedo in a 79 camaro read 85 or 130 ? I read somewhere that the 85 topspeed started in 1980. I ask because my instrument panel was held into the dash by electrical tape when I bought the car, fuel gauge works, warning lamps work, bulbs work ... speedo does not and it only reads up to 85. I wanna try and see if the cable is broken but if I should have a 130mph, wouldn't its reading still be inaccurate even if I fixed cable ?

z2879camaro · 02-08-2010, 08:57:56 PM

i have a 79 z28 and mine reads 130

Shantox · 02-08-2010, 09:00:47 PM

Yeah I figured the Z28 would. Mine is just a standard Camaro ... no LT Berli etc... I wanna get that speedo fixed ASAP. The cops already eye me twice everytime I roll by ...

z2879camaro · 02-08-2010, 09:12:26 PM

Speedometer & Tachometer Info
The hot ticket is the 150 MPH speedo found in ANY 1970 & 1971 Camaro. This was NOT a "Z28" or SS only option. Beginning in 1972 and carried on to 1979 the top speed is 130. Beginning in 1980, the federal government figured if the speedometer only went up to 85MPH, people wouldn't speed.
In 1976 (or 75) Kph grading was added underneath the primary MPH grading on the speedometer.

Shantox · 02-08-2010, 09:19:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z2879camaro

Speedometer & Tachometer Info
The hot ticket is the 150 MPH speedo found in ANY 1970 & 1971 Camaro. This was NOT a "Z28" or SS only option. Beginning in 1972 and carried on to 1979 the top speed is 130. Beginning in 1980, the federal government figured if the speedometer only went up to 85MPH, people wouldn't speed.
In 1976 (or 75) Kph grading was added underneath the primary MPH grading on the speedometer.

Yeah so someone over the years has stuck this instrument panel in just to get by. So if I can fix the 85 MPH speedo currently in the car will its reading be accurate or would I need to get a cable for a different year ? I will probably just order a whole new cluster in the coming weeks. Needs to be done eventually anyway.

z2879camaro · 02-08-2010, 09:23:05 PM

im not sure on how accurate it would be but just like you said you would be better off buying the new complete cluster

Shantox · 02-08-2010, 09:27:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z2879camaro

im not sure on how accurate it would be but just like you said you would be better off buying the new complete cluster

With a Tach instead of all the idiot lights

Twisted_Metal · 02-09-2010, 01:21:22 PM

There is no gearing or cable change required to swap to a 130 mph speedometer.
Finding the proper 130 mph speedo with the long orange needle to match the rest of your gauges may be a trick but any of the earlier speedometers can be swapped into the cluster housing.