My Bird has the standard instrumentation package; speedo and gas gauge. I'm wondering about upgrading to the factory gauge package. Have you done this? What's involved? I know I'll need a new circuit board. Perhaps new sending units. Could it be a simple plug and play swap? Did Pontiac use a universal wiring harness regardless of instrumentation package?

An alternative would be to get a new dash panel insert for 5"ø speedo and tach. Oil, water, voltage and gas gauges can be hung under the center dash. What words of wisdom does anyone have with this approach.

I'm just not sure about the replacement dash inserts that house six separate gauges. I'm thinking it breaks away to far from a factory look and leans towards race car. I'm not really opposed to this. I just haven't convinced myself to go this route.

You are on the right track: You need gauge cluster instruments, a new circuit board, and new senders. Sorry, but Pontiac did not install "universal" wiring harnesses. So the gauge package will not function with the OEM wiring harnesses in your car as they came from the factory.

There are two ways to deal with that. One involves modifying the standard gauge dash wiring harness and this is covered in the FAQ's on this site.

2nd method is good if you are doing a total restoration. Just order and install the main and engine wiring harnesses for gauges instead of idiot lights.