K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
11-28-2015, 08:03 AM
#1
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K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
I have done a little bit of research and was curious for any additional input in case I missed some.
My goals, not a DD, but street/strip/occasional track day. I am all about making sure this car is rigid(t-top car) I also have concerns of the stories of cracked k-members. Weight reduction is nice but not critical. I currently want to keep it kind of simple converting to an ls1 for now, but eventually maybe go into a coilover/tubular a-arms, etc... I made a list of some of the K-members I know of out there and the pros/cons. Let me know if you guys have input or see if I have anything wrong.
Honestly the road race UMI, and the PAracing are at the top of the list.
1st
UMI performance..
1982-1992 GM F-Body Tubular K-member, Factory Springs, Road Race
Pros
-havent heard any complaints
-additional strength "dual tube construction as well as extra tubing and gusseting in critical areas"
-accepts factory suspension and A-arms
-Removeable upper spring pockets if I wish to go to coil-overs in the future or go back.
-has everything I need but ls1 mounts to go
-offers expandability in the future to get to coil overs, aftermarket control arms, and add AC.
Cons
-need to relocate AC for ls1 conversion. Not a total CON, I might hold of on AC for now and just get car up and running and get that fixed later and decide on a full setup. They suggest the www.kwikperf.com pulley setup.
-to get my project going...
Price with 10% off now for k-member and mounts... $685 plus free ship.
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=732
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=692
2nd
UMI performance again.
1982-1992 GM F-Body Tubular K-member for LSX Engines, Factory Springs
Pros/Cons
-Same as above, but doesn't have the additional strengthening of the road race version, no need for extra Ls1 mounts
-to get my project going...
Price with 10% off for k-member, $570
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=624
3rd
BMR suspension
Pros
-havent seen complaints
-mounts included
Cons
-not sure if it works with factory ls1 AC or not?
-only works with aftermarket A-arms, another $300-500 now
-needs upper spring perches for factory setup. another $90
-To get my project going...
Price $540, Spring perches, $90, Control arms $300-500.
$930-1130 (bit pricey having to get A arms now)
4th
PA Racing
Pros
-Road race option for $150
-accepts factory ls1 AC and lines
-accepts factory A-arms with minor mods(have to look into what, don't mind some minor grinding)
-heard no complaints on product
-Seems to have what I need for $650 (depending on A-arm moding)
Cons
-heard customer service and lead time is bad. (not in a rush so not too bad
-not sure if spring perches are modular, but can cut them out if need be if I ever go to coil overs.
-I doubt free shipping
To get my project going...
$650 for what I wanted. Maybe
http://www.paracing.com/racingstore/...roducts_id=145
5th
Spohn Racing
Pros
-allows stock A-arms
-brake line mounts(only one that lists it)
-accepts AC lines
-Cheap
Cons
-everyone says this thing sucks and has tons of issues and engineered poorly
-calls out for extra bracing for street driving and says will interfere with ls1 alternator. Is it weak?
$540 + $10 shipping with 15% off deal.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-LSX-Swap.html
My goals, not a DD, but street/strip/occasional track day. I am all about making sure this car is rigid(t-top car) I also have concerns of the stories of cracked k-members. Weight reduction is nice but not critical. I currently want to keep it kind of simple converting to an ls1 for now, but eventually maybe go into a coilover/tubular a-arms, etc... I made a list of some of the K-members I know of out there and the pros/cons. Let me know if you guys have input or see if I have anything wrong.
Honestly the road race UMI, and the PAracing are at the top of the list.
1st
UMI performance..
1982-1992 GM F-Body Tubular K-member, Factory Springs, Road Race
Pros
-havent heard any complaints
-additional strength "dual tube construction as well as extra tubing and gusseting in critical areas"
-accepts factory suspension and A-arms
-Removeable upper spring pockets if I wish to go to coil-overs in the future or go back.
-has everything I need but ls1 mounts to go
-offers expandability in the future to get to coil overs, aftermarket control arms, and add AC.
Cons
-need to relocate AC for ls1 conversion. Not a total CON, I might hold of on AC for now and just get car up and running and get that fixed later and decide on a full setup. They suggest the www.kwikperf.com pulley setup.
-to get my project going...
Price with 10% off now for k-member and mounts... $685 plus free ship.
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=732
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=692
2nd
UMI performance again.
1982-1992 GM F-Body Tubular K-member for LSX Engines, Factory Springs
Pros/Cons
-Same as above, but doesn't have the additional strengthening of the road race version, no need for extra Ls1 mounts
-to get my project going...
Price with 10% off for k-member, $570
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...roducts_id=624
3rd
BMR suspension
Pros
-havent seen complaints
-mounts included
Cons
-not sure if it works with factory ls1 AC or not?
-only works with aftermarket A-arms, another $300-500 now
-needs upper spring perches for factory setup. another $90
-To get my project going...
Price $540, Spring perches, $90, Control arms $300-500.
$930-1130 (bit pricey having to get A arms now)
4th
PA Racing
Pros
-Road race option for $150
-accepts factory ls1 AC and lines
-accepts factory A-arms with minor mods(have to look into what, don't mind some minor grinding)
-heard no complaints on product
-Seems to have what I need for $650 (depending on A-arm moding)
Cons
-heard customer service and lead time is bad. (not in a rush so not too bad
-not sure if spring perches are modular, but can cut them out if need be if I ever go to coil overs.
-I doubt free shipping
To get my project going...
$650 for what I wanted. Maybe
http://www.paracing.com/racingstore/...roducts_id=145
5th
Spohn Racing
Pros
-allows stock A-arms
-brake line mounts(only one that lists it)
-accepts AC lines
-Cheap
Cons
-everyone says this thing sucks and has tons of issues and engineered poorly
-calls out for extra bracing for street driving and says will interfere with ls1 alternator. Is it weak?
$540 + $10 shipping with 15% off deal.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...-LSX-Swap.html
11-28-2015, 08:26 PM
#3
Senior Member
Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
Off topic but... What kind of plane do ya have?
I was lucky enough to spend my summers as a kid on a grass strip on an old farm and love homebuilts... An RV4 is hopefully in my future.
I was lucky enough to spend my summers as a kid on a grass strip on an old farm and love homebuilts... An RV4 is hopefully in my future.
11-28-2015, 08:40 PM
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Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
Ok kind of goes along with what I was thinking. UMI and PAracing at the top. If the factory A-arms appeared to just slide right in I might have gone with PAracing. Might just do UMI road race, and deal with AC later with relocation pulleys, also gives me some variety allowed on an AC compressor.
11-28-2015, 08:46 PM
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Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
LOL, the link is dead, and my sig is old. I am not lucky enough to own one. I work for an aircraft manufacturer. It was a pic of the first one we built, I spent probably a year, with 50-60 hour weeks on it. Probably the most time I ever worked on a single machine. I would love to do a home built(at least by a half finished project and finish it) but planes, even home builts are so damn expensive.
Either way that was a few years ago... most recent plane of interest I helped build.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQPfGldUYAEbbHE.jpg
Either way that was a few years ago... most recent plane of interest I helped build.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQPfGldUYAEbbHE.jpg
11-28-2015, 09:32 PM
#6
Senior Member
Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
That's a slick paint job.
Buying a partially done kit is the way to save big $, as long as the guy was doing the work properly.
I was an army medic (canadian) for nearly 9 years, now I'm in training to be an Aircraft structures tech which involves the life support equipment, refinishing, composite manufacture and repair, metal work, parts machining etc. Pretty sweet trade actually.
And to stay on topic, if I were to have used an aftermarket K-member it would have been the UMI road race version (might get used on my second build for a "road legal" road race camaro)
Buying a partially done kit is the way to save big $, as long as the guy was doing the work properly.
I was an army medic (canadian) for nearly 9 years, now I'm in training to be an Aircraft structures tech which involves the life support equipment, refinishing, composite manufacture and repair, metal work, parts machining etc. Pretty sweet trade actually.
And to stay on topic, if I were to have used an aftermarket K-member it would have been the UMI road race version (might get used on my second build for a "road legal" road race camaro)
11-28-2015, 09:38 PM
#7
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Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
That's a slick paint job.
Buying a partially done kit is the way to save big $, as long as the guy was doing the work properly.
I was an army medic (canadian) for nearly 9 years, now I'm in training to be an Aircraft structures tech which involves the life support equipment, refinishing, composite manufacture and repair, metal work, parts machining etc. Pretty sweet trade actually.
And to stay on topic, if I were to have used an aftermarket K-member it would have been the UMI road race version (might get used on my second build for a "road legal" road race camaro)
Buying a partially done kit is the way to save big $, as long as the guy was doing the work properly.
I was an army medic (canadian) for nearly 9 years, now I'm in training to be an Aircraft structures tech which involves the life support equipment, refinishing, composite manufacture and repair, metal work, parts machining etc. Pretty sweet trade actually.
And to stay on topic, if I were to have used an aftermarket K-member it would have been the UMI road race version (might get used on my second build for a "road legal" road race camaro)
as for on topic I was leaning that way, almost bought it yesterday but figured worth a post to see if there was any other input.
Last edited by MustangEater82; 11-28-2015 at 09:41 PM.
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12-01-2015, 07:00 PM
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Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
I ended up going with umi road race k member and ordered some subframe connectors too. Will give an updates on it one day.
12-07-2015, 03:00 PM
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Re: K-member LSx swap 82-92 Camaro
Yep I do! Third gen still doesn't though. 
I thought about PA racing. Long term might have been better do to AC provisions and I will eventually do A-arms. But I went umi as it was on sale, good unit, works with factory A-arms for now, and going with a kwik performance pulley setup let's me go 3rd or 4th gen compressor. For now I just want to get the heap going back on the road. I look can do "weekend" projects of a-arms and and getting the AC figured out in the future.
I thought about PA racing. Long term might have been better do to AC provisions and I will eventually do A-arms. But I went umi as it was on sale, good unit, works with factory A-arms for now, and going with a kwik performance pulley setup let's me go 3rd or 4th gen compressor. For now I just want to get the heap going back on the road. I look can do "weekend" projects of a-arms and and getting the AC figured out in the future.
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