Monte Carlo Gauges?

[84GNwith87eng]

Will a mid 80's monte gauge set work in a 84-87 turbo regal? Are there adapter harnesses to make this possible?

Thanks

Chris

 

[GNVAIR]

I will give a yes and no answer.
Yes, it is possible. But the easiest way to do it is to install the entire Monte dash and cluster pod.
The wiring for the gauges is the same (i.e. water temp, oil pressure, etc) as the Buick cluster meaning that the idiot lights in the Buick dash match up with the gauges in a Monte cluster.
As far as making it work you would have to see if the male stationary plug on the Buick dash is the same as the one on a Monte Carlo dash. If not you will have to get one from a Monte and repin it.
Is the swap worth it? I would have to say no since the Monte gauges are seldom accurate and it would definitely ruin the value of a perfectly good Turbo Regal.

 

[84GNwith87eng]

What about using a Monte Dash Bezel, and using new VDO/Autometer gauges? Is there a wiring schematic or adapters for that?

 

[GNVAIR]

The Monte pod/bezel/cluster or whatever you want to call it is much smaller than the one in a Regal. It would require tremedous fabrication. It would be more of a bolt in using the Monte Carlo dash.

 

[GNut]

If you want a "Plug n Play" dash setup check this out.

www.gnxdash.com

 

[84GNwith87eng]

I don't want to pay that much, ripoff if you ask me

 

[GNut]

Hmmmmmmm "Rip off" huh? Them's fightin' words! Good thing no one who's ever actully purchased one thinks that.!! Attitudes like yours really encourage people to help you! Best of luck with your project...you're gonna need it!

Tom Houser
Performance Instrumnents
www.gnxdash.com

 

[chazmat2316]

I'v been ripped off? best thing I bought for GN so far!

 

[84GNwith87eng]

Ok, a little harsh, not a 'ripoff', but I think it could be sold quite a bit cheaper...if it was more affordable, it would be more advanced in that there would be better modifications and insight for it

Just my two cents

 

[TKGN1]

really not a cheap way around doing altered/aftermarket gages. Did mine myself about 4 years ago, buying the gages($450.00 alone), making a custom alum. bezel, wiring(plugs), and heavy fab work in the dash, ect. Looks good but was a PIA.
Well worth buying a set from gnxdash.

 

[YouLikeThat]

Originally posted by GNut
Hmmmmmmm "Rip off" huh? Them's fightin' words! Good thing no one who's ever actully purchased one thinks that.!! Attitudes like yours really encourage people to help you! Best of luck with your project...you're gonna need it!

Tom Houser
Performance Instrumnents
www.gnxdash.com

Take it easy dude, I know life is hard

 

[chazmat2316]

Tom has a great product with a fair price that save you lot's of time! Price the gauges it's worth every dollar!

 

[Renthorin]

Another thing to consider is an Olds Cutlass gauge setup from the Calias or 442. I have one in the basement and it looks to be the same size as the GN.

There used to be a writeup on how to swap the two but I can't find it on the www.

 

[BLACK DEATH DSR]

Honestly if you have time and patience to fab one up yourself, try it and see it is not that easy. Here is what mine looks like from GNX.

 

[GNVAIR]

What I said with the Monte Carlo gauges would definitely apply to the Cutlass gauges. Best bet is swapping dash boards. You would be on your own with the wiring. Its not something people do for the fact that it ruins the value of the car and that the factory gauges are crap. The GNX style cluster would actually increase the value of the car. The Monte or Cutlass gauges would ruin it.

 

[Renthorin]

I am pretty sure the GN and Cutlass gauges pods are the same size. No dash swapping required. With the exception of the tach and turbo gauge the Cutlass had the same sweeeeeping spedo.

I was saving mine to put in the GN I just added the missing gauges in pods so now I am not going to.

As for effort involved, the schematic I read online a few years ago told the wires to swap in that big connector on the back of the cluster. It said #3 goes to #8 and so on. Some sending units might have to be changed.

This is the best I can find now...

http://oldsjunction.classicoldsmobile.com/oldsfaq/ofmsc.htm#MISC GbodyRallyePacConversion

 

[Renthorin]

oooooooooooooo.......

I think this is it.

http://tech.oldsgmail.com/eint_rallye_swap.html

 

[GNVAIR]

Originally posted by Renthorin
I am pretty sure the GN and Cutlass gauges pods are the same size. No dash swapping required. With the exception of the tach and turbo gauge the Cutlass had the same sweeeeeping spedo.

I was saving mine to put in the GN I just added the missing gauges in pods so now I am not going to.

As for effort involved, the schematic I read online a few years ago told the wires to swap in that big connector on the back of the cluster. It said #3 goes to #8 and so on. Some sending units might have to be changed.

This is the best I can find now...

http://oldsjunction.classicoldsmobile.com/oldsfaq/ofmsc.htm#MISC GbodyRallyePacConversion

No, each of the division G bodies has a differently sized cluster pod. The actually gauges are different sizes between the Buick and the Oldmobile. I dont have the exact specs right in front of me, but the oldsmobiles cluster is longer and narrower. The Cutlass models standard cluster with the large sweeping speedometer might be similar in design, it is definitely different in size.

 

[GNVAIR]

Originally posted by Renthorin
oooooooooooooo.......

I think this is it.

http://tech.oldsgmail.com/eint_rallye_swap.html

That article details installing the Oldsmobile Cutlass rallye gauge cluster into a Cutlass that came with the standard sweep speedometer cluster. Nice try though.

 

[gordyzx9r]

Originally posted by 84GNwith87eng
I don't want to pay that much, ripoff if you ask me

I didn't think it was a ripoff, it's one of my favorite modifications that I've made to the car and people always compliment it.