Hey everyone I need some help with my project...
I just got a LS1 engine & T56 Transmission for my 89 Firebird.
I need a new K-Member for the engine to sit on. But Im kind of on a $$$ budget prolly 700$ max, What brand and which set up should I get? Even if its 1000$ please throw your opinion out there !

 

I got mine from AJE i got the drag style kmember and arms for $780...great piece!!!!

 

Stock works great. Notch it for Ac if using the low mount compressor. Oil pan notch is optional

Do NOT use the spohn k-member

 

okay nice! So all you needed was the k member and the a arms? and it was ready to go?

 

I am using a BMR unit with their A-Arms and have had no issues with it, other than for one reason or another my solid motor mounts would not fit so I had to run the stock rubber ones. It could have been a problem with the mounts or the K-member though. I am running Spohns QA1 coil over kit as well.

 

what's up with the Spohn piece?

 

how much did your set go for?

 

I saw nothing but bad reviews on spohn

 

I bought the K-member on here used for $350 and the A-Arms were $379, but I did use the A-arm without the factory spring mount. A new K-member would be $529 from them and coil spring A-arms are $500.

 

PA racing, for $799.95 you get k-member, coil over kit with springs, and lower A- arms

 

Pocket, I'm getting ready to do mine in the next few months, spoke to the folks at Spohn what is wrong with their product?

 

Do a search on my name and the k-member for a pic thread with my gripes

 

Okay I think I'm going with the PA Racing K-Member since they got a decent price for their parts I just reviewed up on them. Thanks. You didnt have any minor problems with any alignment or lining up with bolt holes?

 

Nothing a pry bar or ratchet strap couldn't solve

 

Why not stay stock? Here's some pros/cons

Stock:

Pro

- It's free
- Protects the engine better
- Can be notched for AC
- Can use other A-arms in the future
- New bushing/ball joints in stock A-arms works great
- Stock brake lines connect to it

Con

- Heavier than aftermarket K-members
- You'll have to clean it/paint it. (well, you don't HAVE to)
- You'll have to pay someone to notch it if you don't own a welder

 

hmmmm your right pocket ill keep those tools in mind no doubt

 

trying to dump everything thats old and make everything new!
I dont trust my front end much since it got beat up a few times this
year smfh.. but your pros and cons are on point ill most def keep it in
consideration if something happens along the road.

 

The k-member is not a wear item. If you didn't have a hard collision wrecking the front suspension, then I wouldn't worry about it

If you hit stuff frequently, I'd stay stock

 

I would agree, I just finished my swap, I stayed with the factory k member, clean it up and painted it. Money could be used else where and you could always upgrade the k member later.

 

After reading this thread I have changed plans and will keep the factory K-member. Just notch it for A/C and paint it. Thanks guys

 

Well pocket I guess im staying stock then ! What is all I will need for the LsX to fit on that K member? Just the mounts?

 

Thanks alot! Staying stock now also !

 

Anybody got some guides to "notching " the K member for the AC,
or the price somebody would do it for ?

 

Make it look like this and it will work, the attached pics are of my k-member. Also be sure to check the A-Arm clearance before putting the k-member back in. You may have to grind a little off the a-arm to get full travel or make the notch less deep.

Prices would vary widely I'm sure, I would expect some where between $100-200 depending on who you take it to.

Hawks sells a notch plate kit that would take the guess work out.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...Plate-Kit.html

 

Here's the Hawks notch

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...Plate-Kit.html

 

Thanks for the info ! Needed that most def! But what motor mounts do I get for the stock k member ? Do I need adapters or anything like that ?

 

Hey pocket what motor mounts can I put on this stock k-memer?

 

These are what I'm using... They're in the mail apparently, so I haven't used em yet.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...s%2C-Pair.html

 

Two choices for stock k-members:

Those swap mounts linked use 4th gen block mounts. The stand bolt to the k-member in the v6 mount location

Alternatively, the stock v8 mounts can be retained and an adapter plate used between the SBC clamshell and LSx block. Standard and 1" setback are common, but the setback version are required to reuse the stock driveshaft. These do not clear the low mount Ac compressor

 

Even if I notch the stock kmember it wouldn't be clear ?

 

The low mount Ac compressor occupies the same space as the pass motor mount when using SBC mounts and an adapter plate. Not a whole lot you can do about that short of using a different mount or moving the Ac up top