1987CMaro

Swapped my 5.7 350ci into my Sport coupe 2.8 and im curious and having a hard time finding out if the 5.7 suspension will bolt into the 2.8 (Struts mainly)

Or if there is a page / website I could find stronger suspension parts for this swap done

I dont have alot of information about suspension, mainly driveline and exhaust information
Thanks in advance

AlkyIROC

Other than spring rates, all suspension components are the same through the entire third gen line.

They all use the same tiny 10 bolt diff with a 7.5" ring gear although in 1986, the size of just the gear was increased to 7-5/8". Some performance models in 1986-1989 got a Borg Warner 9 bolt but it's not much of an improvement.

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

AlkyIROC I'm not asking this to be contrary , but I'm sure I read here at TGO in one thread or another that some of the more performance optioned cars had different , thicker sway bars than the run of the mill six banger ? Something about the performance ones are a few MM thicker than the regular ones ?

redneckjoe

the factory struts are basically a shock. i think i'd buy new ones before swapping some old ones in there. doesnt matter if its from v-6 or v-8. the spring rates are different though.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Springs, sway bars, and shocks/struts are not "suspension", any more than spark plugs or gasoline are "engine". They are the "soft" parts that wear and require occasional maintenance.

All of these cars are identical dimensionally. Which is to say, everything bolts to everything. All the bolt holes are the same size and the same distance apart and in the same places. You can put IROC parts on a 6-cyl chassis, Formula parts on a Berlinetta, etc. etc. etc. That goes for EVERY SINGLE running gear type of part; brakes, the above-listed soft parts, spindles, control arms, axle housings, and so on.

1987CMaro

So really I can use Z28 / IROC ect in my Sport Coupe but the Spring rate will be different which is awesome.

Brings the question...
If I replace my factory Sport Coupe struts (64 N/mm Newtons per Millimeter) out in the front for some Z28 struts (96 N/mm Newtons per Millimeter) How much higher would my front end sit? Statistics based off of: http://berlinetta.info/springswaybar.htm

And this site says the 350Ci weighs in at 575 Lbs http://www.enginefactory.com/chevdimensions.htm

Thanks to everyone who answered!!

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Good luck finding application specific shocks and struts 30 years later.

GM used a variety of shocks and struts. The aftermarket sells the same shock or strut for a 4cyl Camaro as a 350.

1987CMaro

Called around a few parts stores where I live they have ones specific to Sport Coupe, Z28

redneckjoe

what are you trying to achieve exactly? proper ride height for a v-8 car? if so, use v-8 springs. if your drag racing, there are moroso trick springs.

the struts wont change ride height. they are for dampning like a shock. you can buy different variations, oil filled, gas charged, adjustable, 70/30 or 90/10 drag struts, just like regular shocks, (like in the rear).

there are different diameter sway bars for different driving. pretty self-explanatary.

and there are "wonder bars" that came on mostly IROC's. it ties the front frame rails from side to side. its more of a brace for where the steering gear box is, so it didnt crack the "frame rail".
http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/stee...2-92-f-bodies/

give a little more info of what your trying to achieve and maybe guys will recommend some parts that will work well for you?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Go to Rock Auto and look up the shocks and struts for an 82 Camaro with a 4cyl. Then look up the shocks and struts for a 92 Camaro with a 350. They'll be the exact same part numbers.

You'll probably want V8 springs, and it wouldn't hurt to upgrade everything else, but no one still makes shocks or struts more specific than 82-92 Camaro & Firebird.

1987CMaro

Im trying to get my car to sit level. Right now the front shocks are factory v6 ones and they drop the front of the car a little too low just dont look right. I was making sure the V8 did not for some reason lift it higher than the back and make it even more dumb

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Your car doesn't have shocks up front. It has struts.

Neither shocks nor struts "drop" any part of the car. They don't hold it up. The springs do that.

All of those parts wear out and need occasional replacement. While your shocks in the rear and struts up front aren't responsible for ride height, they ARE responsible for overall ride quality, handling, safety, and comfort. New ones are almost always a YUUUUUJJJJE improvement in all of the above. Springs lose their rate and get weeeeek, allowing the car to sag. Replace them.

Common spring part #s to use are Moog 5662 front and CC635 or 5665 rear. For shocks, the sky is the limit; just about ANY new ones, other than Gabriel, will be better than what you have. Monroe is basic stock replacement; lots of people use KYBs and like them, for a moderate boost over stock; ones like Bilstein, Koni, or Tokico are top-of-the-line type of products.

Do both ends of the car at the same time. Replace any other worn-out stuff you find such as bushings. Often it's easier and cheaper to replace the part the bushing is pressed into (esp in the rear) than it is to change out the bushing itself. Definitely replace all the sway bar bushings and end links with poly, such as Energy Suspension. You can get those from AutoZone and such hanging on cards, Summit or Jeg's, board sponsors, etc.

1987CMaro

Okay awesome thanks for all the help guys I think I got all the information I need to get my car back to normal.