How to Guide For step by step “How to” instructions ONLY!

Interior: how to swap clusters

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2007 | 08:46 PM
  #1  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
how to swap clusters

well i made a thread about this a week ago(<-it got locked due to some childish behavior), but the cluster i ordered finally came in, now for those that dont know, i bought a 2.4 cluster online, the one white the white faces(140mph), well here goes my first how(<-hopefully it gets approved)

tools:
7mm socket
rachet extention
rachet
cluster
your choice drink

step 1:
take off the trim pieces, the ones with the dimmer knob, and the cluster button on it, to take it off, just simply pull on them hard(<-b4 this make sure to loseen the top of the bottom part of the dash, part right aboce your feet, you simply pull on it starting from the bottom, they're only clipped on.

step 2, you will see 2 screws holding the cluster in place, they are 7mm bolts, remove them, now if i recall there will also be some black thingys holdin thecluster in aswell(sorry i have removed my cluster b4 to paint it, and didnt bother putting these back on so i dont remember how they work)

step 3, now that the bottom bolts are off remove the ones on the top of the bezel, there are 2 of them, a simple phillips(+) screwdriver will take them

step 4, remove the bezel, i found it easy to pull on it and take it out by slidding the corner over the turn signal stick, and then pulling it towards the driver door

step 5, there will be 4 bolts now that are holding the cluster in place, they are 7mm aswell, get the rachet and the extention ready, make sure to take a sip of you *insert drink name here*, cuz this will be tiring, remove these bolts now, they will be anoying b/c of the amount of space you have to work wth, but dont let up, just keep turning, and keep drinking

step 6, once the 4 bolts are off, pull the cluster towards you, do not take it off all in a hurry pull it enough so that u can reach into the back of it and unclip the wires that connect to it, this is simple, just push down the tab with your fingers and pull it away from the cluster, now you can pull it off

step 7, put the new cluster in, be sure not to forget to connect it, once you connect it line it up with the 4 bolt holes, now b4 u do anything, turn the car on to see it light up and watch that the needles work<-this is to make sure that you didnt forget to connect the wires back

step 8, now that you see it's all functional, proceed to put everything back the way it was before

now that you have everything back, and connected, start the car, and begin to drive around to make sure that everything works ok

now the pics(the first 2 are in 5th gear at around 2k rpm, and both show the same speed, 45)



Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 03:38 AM
  #2  
REIGN SS's Avatar
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 05-06-06
Posts: 33,169
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, O HI O
Nice

More pics of the install steps would be helpful
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 07:00 PM
  #3  
Renesis's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 04-09-06
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Quebec, Canada
you should've went with G5 clusters, red backlighting is better looking IMO.

Great how-to nonetheless!
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 08:50 PM
  #4  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
i'll take a look at the G5 cluster, if its nice i'll get it, as long as it cheaper than the ss/sc one, cuz im planning on upgrading to it, now that that i know that'll work too
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #5  
cobaltguy88's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 09-17-07
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
I got an automatic 2.2 and my cluster goes up to 120mph as well... by swapping clusters, will my car go up to 140 or what? how do u know if the mph is correct?

im really considering this mod....
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 08:59 PM
  #6  
RollOver360's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-30-06
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 0
From: Exit 29, NY
Nice. I was thinkin about doing something like that back when i had the LS but never got around to it.

later
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2007 | 09:03 PM
  #7  
HatedCobalt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 11-01-06
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
im wondering about the MPH deal too. i have a 120mph cluster. wont it mess itup goin ot the 140 from 120....
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 05:13 PM
  #8  
JamesJJP's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 05-24-07
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Now here is my question... Was this a 2.4 before the conversion? so it was a straight swap etc...

I wanted to do this with my ss/sc but im not sure its entirely possible - first cause I live in Canada and 2nd cause I was told that it wont function the same as the stock hence why I've left it with the green and instead of white and red...

if you know or if anyone know please let me know.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 05:50 PM
  #9  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
well i included pics of the b4 and after, i have a LS, mine came with the 120mph cluster, this swap will let u go to 140, it is a appearance mods, for those that are tired of the black face, the swap is straight forward, read the how to, i had to mod nothin, i have a 2.2 eco ls, the cluster is from a automatic 2.4 ss, it is simple plug and play, there were no problems as far as speed reading wrong, if you look at the first 2 pics, the first is of the new lcuster, im in5th gear at 2000rpm, im going 45mph, on the second pic im in 5th gear at 2000rpm again, and once more it reads 45mph, the speeds reads right, no problem, its best not to question how this it, cuz it works the speeds reads right, the rpm's read right, the shift light comes on right, everything WORKS!!!!
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 06:10 PM
  #10  
RollOver360's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-30-06
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 0
From: Exit 29, NY
Just because u changed the cluster and the cluster says 140 doesnt mean u can get up to 140. Ur stock PCM still has the governer set at 105 for the LS.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 06:14 PM
  #11  
djblass's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 01-29-06
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Miami
wat RollOver360 said sounds just about right
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 08:22 PM
  #12  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
yup, the governer is still the same, which is why said ths is a appearance mod, a very good mod for those that dont wanna pay 80 bucks for just a face, this one cost me 40 from ebay...it works fine, and looks nice
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 08:49 PM
  #13  
Halfcent's Avatar
I'm old school
 
Joined: 02-16-05
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 3
From: Nashville
While I don't doubt that the cluster physically works, I would be cautious about the indications it is giving you. It might not be calibrated. The two clusters have different flash PROM programs, and while the needle might be moving, it might not be pointing to the correct number.

Last edited by Halfcent; Nov 17, 2007 at 12:34 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #14  
madmark's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 01-12-07
Posts: 2,890
Likes: 0
From: FT Knox KY
the cluster reads signals from the wss. it converts it into a signal the cluster can read. im sure everything will work perfectly

i bet if he goes out side and pulls the plug for the maf sensor the check engine will go off.

if he starts it then pulls the power on the alternator then the battery/check engine light will go off
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 09:02 PM
  #15  
HatedCobalt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 11-01-06
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
Originally Posted by RollOver360
Just because u changed the cluster and the cluster says 140 doesnt mean u can get up to 140. Ur stock PCM still has the governer set at 105 for the LS.
um i hate to tell ya mine goes 128 to 130 no problem and its an LT2. ive bottomed out my speedo b4.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2007 | 12:40 AM
  #16  
Halfcent's Avatar
I'm old school
 
Joined: 02-16-05
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 3
From: Nashville
Originally Posted by madmark
the cluster reads signals from the wss.
Um, what? The cluster is controlled by the engine control module. What is a "wss"? The ECM communicates with the cluster over the CAN bus. There is a software switch in the ECM that tells the ECM which size wheels are on the car specifically for the speedo calibration. Besides for changing the wheel diameter, it also recognizes that a Cobalt with the 16" wheels will also have the 140 speedo, and hence send the proper signal.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2007 | 01:26 AM
  #17  
RollOver360's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-30-06
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 0
From: Exit 29, NY
Originally Posted by Tsa_Performance
um i hate to tell ya mine goes 128 to 130 no problem and its an LT2. ive bottomed out my speedo b4.
The LS will only go up to 105. U have the LT2 which probably is the "sport" package with the alloy wheels and higher speed rated tires so ur gov will be set higher. Notice how I said "LS" before not "LT".

later
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2007 | 08:39 AM
  #18  
HatedCobalt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 11-01-06
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
nope mine didnt have alloy wheels....it had steelies...and **** tires...but yes you did say LS.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 12:03 AM
  #19  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
um, half cent, i dont wanna try to argue with u(cuz ur a mod), but the cluster physically works fine, it reads fine, i try not to question hoq that is, but it does, i have already hit the 105 governer, at exactly 105mph on the cluster, i even matcheed it with the old one, which i included pics of, i ran at 5th gear at 2k rpm, the speed read 45, and with the new cluster i did the same, i ran in 5th gear at 2krpm, guess what? same speed. it works fine, i even had a friend drive along side me and tell me what his read, we did this at 20, 30, 40, and 50, we were both the same, speed and tach wise, it all works the same
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 12:36 AM
  #20  
Halfcent's Avatar
I'm old school
 
Joined: 02-16-05
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 3
From: Nashville
Then I would say that's a good find. If you ever get the larger wheels, go get the ECM switch thrown for it and you can take advantage of the higher limiter.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 01:21 AM
  #21  
RollOver360's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-30-06
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 0
From: Exit 29, NY
Originally Posted by Tsa_Performance
nope mine didnt have alloy wheels....it had steelies...and **** tires...but yes you did say LS.
But isnt urs a 07? Maybe thats got somethin to do with it... i dont know...

later
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 01:26 AM
  #22  
Scythe_Snake's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-24-06
Posts: 7,856
Likes: 21
From: Matteson, Illinois
The sport LT's have a much higher governor than an LS. I just got out of a 05 LS.

This is a great how to, more pics as a way of walking through though. But yeah! This is nice!
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 11:01 AM
  #23  
HatedCobalt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 11-01-06
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
Originally Posted by RollOver360
But isnt urs a 07? Maybe thats got somethin to do with it... i dont know...

later
ya mine is an 07. that might be it. but i know in gonna do this mod asap. funny thing is the sport clusters on ebay are like 100 bux shipped and the ss/sc clusters are like 75 shipped. the ss/sc clusters are 160mph so i dunno if i want that and then get a custom gauge overlay or just run the sport cluster...
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #24  
cobaltLS4dr's Avatar
New Member
 
Joined: 08-13-06
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Dunedin Florida
my 2005 2.2LS came with that cluster from factory and my governor kicks in at 127 on the button every time
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #25  
Jn2's Avatar
Jn2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 05-04-07
Posts: 7,791
Likes: 3
From: Texas
i got mne from lkq, they hve the 2.4 cluster for 40shipped
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:30 PM.