Ok, here is the deal. I got a 89 Formula 350 tuned port. My idea is to take a corvettes rear end. ( corvettes have a independent rear suspension, firebirds solid rear axle) . K the question and were i want some advice. I wanna switch my car to that. What are the ups and downs? What would be hard bout this? Could i use the same springs that my car has? What parts would have to be switched out? Would it have coil over struts in rear? What all has to be replaced, and what kinda durabuility? ( NO NOOBS PLEASE looking to chat with guys that know there cars thank you ) Also if there are any good stores, or items that would help out let me to thanks

With enough time and money, anything can be done but this won't be an easy or cheap swap. Use the search feature. There's been a lot of discussion about trying to use a vette IRS. At least one person has done the conversion. For what it takes to do it, I don't think it's worth the effort.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/su...on-f-body.html (corvette suspension on f-body)

Very few have tried & even fewer succeeded, but I like the idea.

Thank you both guys.

Hell yea man it makes the fbody look underneath like it is corner carving bitch so you better get outta the way. but yea man i wanna so bad. I just gotta do my research and see where i come off at but thank you so much

the independent setup wont necessarily make the car handle better, it has to be properly setup and tuned, or it and be a poor performer.

I have looked into this for a while, the issues i find is that the vette rears are not that strong, and the new c5 and c6 cars have transaxles. So you are limited to c4 and earlier.

What im curious about is he rear cradle from the new pontiac G8's. Its a pretty stout rear and the basic shape looks like it would kind of fit with the shape of the rear of the car, and the width is good from what i've seen. Im sure it would require a ton for fabrication and cutting/welding ect. I just like it better because unlike the vettes, the upper a-arm is attached to the cradle, so you dont have to worry about locating it to the body and keep the proper geometry. The strut assembly looks to be in a good place where it could be mounted into the stock spring perch area.

If i had 1500 bux to blow i would pick one up and see what it loks like under the rear of my 86, the car is already mini-tubbed, so the frame rails are a bit more accommodating than stock. It would be really cool, and i would love to try it, but its not going to work with my finances right now, trying to buy a house.

Could be done, definitely not a first timer's project... C-4 and older Vettes are an independent rear end only, C-5's and newer have a transaxle (transmission and rear end combined). If I were to go to the expense and work involved, I'd go with the transaxle setup. This would allow you to set the engine back a bit further, that combined with the transmission being in the rear of the car your front to rear weight distribution would be vastly improved!!!!

I've never put a Vet rear in a 3rd Gen, but I've put them in a number of Street Rods. It takes a lot of time and experience to get the ride height, wheelbase and other measurements correct. The Vette uses a transverse spring (or coilovers!) and a 4 bar arrangement to center the rear end. It would require a lot of restructuring in the rear of the car, probably back halfing the car with tubing to get all the components mounted securely. Would be a fun project, and would certainly be a good handling car when done correctly!!!!!