Hello. I searched & did not find the answer. Can an instrument cluster from an SS model work/function in an LS model? Both are 6th Gen Monte Carlos. If yes, is it just a swap & plug?
I seem to recall that they did not swap and work between a Buick Century and a Regal Supercharged.
Thanks.......

 

Yes, you can swap between SS and LS clusters. Plugs are the same. A couple gauges are different, boost and oil pressure or volts.. Cant remember.

I have an LS cluster in my SS.

 

Thanks for the reply. So all the gauges work on your swap?? Oil, amps, ect? This would not be a cluster from a Super charged one so boost does not apply. Just noticed..........you downgraded and put an LS cluster into an SS?

 

Yea I had problems with most of the stepper motors, very much dislike the gimmick boost gauge, and someone on here had a good deal on one. Everything works.

Not that it applies but I even think the boost gauge will work in a non boosted car although it will only show vacuum.

 

Actually ONE gauge will not work. It has been noted for a long time on many forums that the Oil Pressure gauge does not work when you swap the SS cluster into a non-SS. I was wondering if it was as simple as changing the oil pressure switch for a oil pressure sending unit. One person on a forum claimed he tried the swap of the oil pressure units and no luck. If it is truly not working after swapping those units then it must be something odd in the PCM. It would be cool if someone else tried it (as my curiosity has me interested).

 

If you happen to be in a salvage yard and can take it apart there you may be able to see the connections fist hand to assist with the install on your vehicle. Just a thought!?!?

 

In the 2000-2005 Monte, LS or SS, the connections to the cluster are the same (except, somehow I *think* the 2000 model year is unique). The only gauge that does not work is oil pressure (the rest are plug and play).
Keep in mind, these cars have very few wires going to the cluster (I think it's power, ground, turn signal and a couple misc sensors the PCM and BCM have no reason to monitor) and then a data connection. Unlike cars of years past where everything had to come to the cluster (like a speedometer cable). In my research the oil pressure switch/sending unit (no matter which you are using) connects direct to the PCM. So the PCM is sending the oil pressure reading to the cluster.

I have had so many thoughts of the years but never a reason to goof with them. Such as:
- The obvious "easy" answer, swap the pressure switch for a sending unit. Someone tried this once years ago and claimed it did not work.
- Since this does not appear to be something that can be programmed via a GM Tech II (I already looked) and it appears to be controlled via the software on the PCM.... Take the software for a SS and change everything in it to match a LS. This means whatever control GM has hidden to have the oil pressure gauge function would now be active (because both the DHP PowrTuner and the HPTuner are unable to access this specific oddball setting). But this would be HOURS of work. And all in hopes that nothing else would be "weird" afterwards.
- As I wrote this, I now have another "intriguing" idea. I wonder if GM controlled the on/off of this gauge via a DTC. It would require using a DHP or HPTuner, comparing the configuration options of the DTCs in a SS vs LS PCM file. And it would also take some trial and error to see *IF* by chance, it is a difference between them. A lot of work..... But an interesting thought.

Sadly, I don't have a car to play with and find out if any of these theories might be right.