Just wondering how much of a problem it would be to fit a tubular K-member for a 4th gen w/LT1 into a third gen to benefit from the dual A-arm. I understand it would not be a directr bolt in, but they generally are the same width and have the same motor mounts, right?

 

What advantages are you looking for from the 4thGen suspension?
The only thing that the 4thGen has that could be an advantage is the steering rack. It rides smoother, especiallly with bigger wheels and tires, but the 3rdGen is regarded as capable of higher performance.

That said, it could theoretically be done, but you will need to modify the wheel well / strut tower to accept the 4thGen strut and spring perches. I don't know if anyone has tried it, maybe Fatal88, but I don't think so.

 

I do not know where you are getting your info from, but it is not correct. Dual A-arm front suspensions out-handle modified MacPherson (sp?) suspensions. The reason Manufacturers use the type of suspension that 3rd gens have is for cost and simplicity. If you look at any race car in any of the premier racing leagues, you will find dual A-arm front suspensions (i.e. F1, Winston cup, IRL, Cart, Craftsman truck series, TransAM, ect. )

I am planning on my car to become a trck car only eventually, and the strut suspension is going to limit me at some point, along with the rear suspension, but that is a whole nother topic.

 

I think he is saying that the suspension on the 3rd gen has better capabilites than the dual A-arm found on the 4th gen. He's not saying that our suspension is better than the dual A-arm suspension found on such vehicles as the corvette.

 

Oh, well That may be, but I would find that very hard to believe. There is a lot of aftermarket suspension stuff for the fourth gens and I would think that it could easily be modified.

 

Any way, trying to get beack to my original question: if I got a tubular K-member for a, fourth gen camaro w/LT1, would I be able to get it in there in the same spot and use the LT1 motor mounts. I know that a lot of things are similar, but where would I run into the bigest problems? Would I be able to leave the front subframe intact?

 

I like your idea. I have thought about it myself, but not with 4th Gen parts.


I think you would need to chop the front of the 3rd Gen off at the firewall and fabricate a new front clip out of square tubing. This way you could choose any double a arm suspension you wished and set the correct ride height, etc.

I do not think that you coud easily transfer this from the 4th Gen.

You would basicall be adding a front tube frame. If you went this far you might as well ad a full tube frame and fix the rear as well.

 

Kevosiroc

I have been thinking of ways to try to improve on the strut set up as well.

Have you thought of a way to offset the lower strut mount in order to move it inboard so that a different tire off set could be used to improve king pin inclination with wider tires?

 

I want to do the same thing myself, but using the c5 front suspension and a c4 or viper rear suspension. The easiest way to do it is to cut the bottom out of the car and fab a complete frame. To pay somebody with enough experience to do it safely is gonna cost big money. With the amount of money required, and the amount of work it require's, I'd put it in something like a midyear corvette. That way you can sell it later on and break even or come close. No offense, but it would be entirely luck if you were to build a 3rd gen like this and sell it for enough to break even.