OK I am looking for a fun project car and my choice is a 2nd gen. But I have a minor problem... I love the 78-81 outside but not inside and the 70-77 inside. Mainly I like how the older dash is wrap around and to me that just looks cleaner. I imagine that they can be changed but I have not seen anyone here do it.

Does anyone know what would be involved in making the swap from the block dash to the wrap around dash?

Massey

 

It sounds simple enough never done it tho. Your probably going to have to get both and compare the size of everything.

 

The best I can find is the dash pad is different, I know the speedo cable will be fine but how does each dash plug in? Do they both have a printed board or do they have individual hookups? Also is the metal parts of the dash the same? This is all new to me here. I know alot about the 4th gens and quite a bit about the 3rds but the first and second gens not alot.

Massey

 

78s have the best of both worlds. 70-78 would be the years for the curvy dash. and 79-81 would be the squared off. To answer your question the gauges are exactly the same execpt you need to move the turn signals. everything else bolts in.

 

^^ +1, all you need to do is get a 78 (rubber nose) and just put the 80-81 chin spoilers and rear flares (79 only came with the chin spoiler and no rear flares). Thats if you like the spoilers and flares if not just leave the 78 the way it is but these cars IMO are butt ugly without the trunk spoilers but im sure all the Z28's came with them.

 

My book says that the 77 was the last year of the wrap around dash... Cool I can get a car that has both of what I want without any trouble. As for the chin spoilers and what have you I think the car looks horrible without the rear spoiler but too firebirdish with the chin spoilers. Clean nose turned up tail is how I am going to build mine.

Massey

P.S. Now I just need to find one the wife will let me buy!!!

 

Yeah your best off to look for a 78 Z28, it has the dash you like, the rear spoiler and it doesn't come with all the other spoilers and flares. But they do have the louvered fender vents and a scoop (nicest ones IMO).

but good luck with the search and the wife

 

Convincing the wife is not going to be too hard... after we buy a truck, we NEED a truck, not a 3rd Camaro. I sold my Avalanche (mainly to get out of the payments) after I bought my 99, and ever sence then we have been borrowing and stealing trucks... ok not stealing them but we have went on test drives to Home Depot.

Massey

 

LOL. Yeah a 78 is what you want. What book do you have? I'll make sure to stay away from it. I have a 78 just like Joe discribed. He is dead on and I do believe too, they are the beat looking of the vents and scoops. As for dashes, they only repop the older ones so if you plan on interior work its right up your alley. For what its worth my 80 will have a 78 dash, 79 chin spoiler, 79 stripes, 78 U14 gauge cluster, 78 fender vents, 79 T/A 4 speed,78 hood (maybe) and a 78 nose. Basicly I'm building the car the way I thought it should have been. I might even go with the earlier 70-77 door panels because i like the door pulls better.

 

The book is this one here on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Catal...5706556&sr=8-4

I will double check it when I get home to see what is says about the 78s. All other info I have found in the book has been great. it is pretty dry after a while since it mainly shows the same format for each year with the car's specs. The back of the book shows some rare Camaros and collector cars.

Massey