OK, we are getting ready to swap in a SBC into our project 85 Firebird. Car was originally a 2.8L car. Will we be able to get away with the stock suspension for now until we can get the cash together for a good suspension upgrade? The car will have a full suspension package with pretty much everything we sell thrown at it, but I just want to drive the damn thing while I'm building it.

I'm ordering the cage in the next few weeks and then I'm gonna get down to business with finding and rebuilding a motor. :lala:

 

yes you wil be able to get away with using your stock v6 springs. The v6 springs are acually pretty good for drag racing. However do plan on changing them because your car will feel very sluggish around turns.

 

Yeah, I knew that about the springs, but just wondering if there is anything else I need to worry about. I've only ever swapped to bigger V8s before, never from a V6 to a V8.

I figure the rearend will grenade, so I'm gonna order a 12-bolt when that happens.

I'm pretty stoked about this, I'm hoping my neighbor can paint the car Electron Blue for me, too.

 

pretty much the only different thing on the v6s suspension wise is the springs. All the other components such as control arms are the same. Sway bars varied from year to year and the type of car. The weak link in the suspension is no doubt the rear axle. Try to look at 12 bolts vrs 9 bolts. Rear control arms are also a weak link. Alot of people have run into a lot of wheel hop with them and replace them with tubular ones. You are going to need a new crossmember and motor mounts. This was a very fun project when i did mine and I hope you enjoy yours as much. Just make sure you take your time and do it right. feel free to ask any questions.

 

YOu dont need a new cross member.

You dont need a new rear, unless you want one.

Car will not feel sluggish around corners.

My car corners better now then it did when the v6 was in it.

Yes the "v6" springs are still on the car.

Try a search and btw , good luck sorting the from the facts.

Also the motor mounts (removing the old bolting on the new,unless you weld them on) is the hardest part.

 

I hate to tell you that some people are pretty stupid. Yes You can use your v6 springs like i stated above however if you think a little v6 springs has different spring rates based on the v6 that was in it. I would never put those tall springs in my car unless i was drag racing. as far as the crossmember. I ran into a problem where the 2 holes on each side did not line up so i had to get a crossmember. I did not tell anyone to get a 12 bolt or 9 i told him to look into the idea of getting one. Like he stated above i will wait till i blow up the 10 bolt first. If you are changing springs your motor mounts will be a peace of cake to take out btw.

 

If I have to replace the crossmember, it isn't a problem. I have a x-member out of a 91 Firebird that had a 305 and 700R4 in it. Motor mounts won't be a problem either, I've taken out enough of them I can do it pretty quickly.

Thanks for the advice, fellas. Should come in handy once I start getting my hands dirty.

 

The crossmember thats in my car is the same one that was in it when the v6 was in it. I was given the crossmember from the car my v8 came out of and it was identical to the one i had.


And the magical v6 springs will not make your car sit "taller"

 

By any chance did you read this https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=229665 near the top of the forum before you started this thread?

 

Sorry, I didn't check that. I forgot all the little things like that about this board. I apologize and feel free to delete this if you'd like. Guess I got excited about my project and just posted.

 

Go ahead and post any questions that doesn't answer.