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Impala/Monte Carlo Gauge Cluster Upgrade |
It's a well know fact in the Impala owner's circles that the gauge cluster from an 00-05 Monte Carlo will fit in the 00-05 Impala will not changes. Since the Monte Carlo SS has a 6-gauge cluster (Speedo, Tach, Oil Pressure, Voltage, Temperature, and Fuel) as compared to the Impala cluster which come in various configurations (all less than 6-gauges except for the SS which replaces the Voltage Gauge with a boost gauge).
There are a number of GM part numbers that will work for this swap. The most popular part is 10306213 (available from GM Parts Direct. I bought a cluster (GM part 10306211) from Ebay and it works perfectly.
The next step was to pick a set of overlays to change the look of the cluster. Here are a couple of sources for overlays for the Monte Carlo Cluster:
NRAuto - The white overlays I choose are made by NR Auto for the 00-03 Monte Carlo. Look in the sale item section
PYFC - The NR Auto overlays are available from Parts For Your Car and they are $15 cheaper. Look in the Monte Carlo Interior Section
SpeedHut - These are semi-custom electroluminescent overlays that cover the old overlays. These overlays require connection to the interior light circuit via an inverter to illuminate
Update (11/11/05)
USSpeedo - USSpeedo has added a line of
color (white, silver, orange, yellow, red) face gauges for the Monte SS/Impala
LS Sport cluster.
Here is what the
gauges look like after the swap and overlay change
There is a good article over at ImpalaHQ on the dash bezel removal procedure in their HowTo section.
Here are some tips on doing the overlay swap on the cluster:
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When you peel the original overlays off, they tends to leave adhesive on the clear lens underneath. You need to get it off so that the maximum light shines through. Windex and elbow grease did the trick
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Make sure you put a piece of cloth between the overlay and the needle removal tool (especially once the white overlays are on) to avoid damaging the overlay.
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Most importantly, make sure that you put the needles back on in the correct positions or your gauges won't be accurate.
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Start with a full gas tank so that the gas gauge is in a known position (FULL or course)
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Start and run the car until it is at operation temperature and note the position of each gauge. Take digital pictures if at all possible.
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Drive around in 3rd gear at 1000 RPM and note the position of the Speedo. Again, digital picture helps. If you don't want to do it this way, you can hook up the new cluster after the overlays are on, but before you replace the lens and just put the needle back on pointing to 0 mph.
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