I have heard (and it makes sense)that with a 2.8 to 350 swap the front suspension needs to be beefed up. but does the struts & the coil springs need to be changed or just the springs?

Thanks

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Chuck
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I'm not shy, I just
observing my prey.

don't forget the Firebird is an F-Body TOO

 

I'd imagine it's just the springs! GM might've put different struts in the car from the assembly line; but now, if you look for struts, all you'll see is "82-92 Firebird", without a V6 or V8 spec.

I've heard from some guys that did the swap that they kept the V6 springs, and didn't notice any problems. Personally, I'd dump V8 springs in, but looks like you can ride with the V6 ones for a while (or forever).


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Hey!
I did that swap a year and a half or so ago and left the front suspension exactly how it was. I'm sure that this is not the best way to go, but it depends on what you want out of the car. I know some guys like to keep soft springs to help weight transfer on drag launches and whatnot, while others want stiff autocross style springs. Anyways, I kept the V6 springs and struts (for all i know they could be original circa 1984, but that's beside the point). Here is what I have noticed about my car. To me, it feels like a pretty soft ride. I have to take it easy over speed bumps and abrupt dips in the road because my car wants to settle just a little too much because of the extra weight. Now this is likely due to the 170K+ miles on my car and not the weight of the bigger engine. With the 350 my car is still light. It weighs less than 3500 lbs. Closer to 3400. I would say go ahead and do your engine swap, try things out, and then see if you want to mess with the suspension or not. It will be perfectly functional (and you might like it a lot) if you leave it alone. As far as I know, it won't really be any harder to upgrade suspension parts after the engine swap is done. That's my input. Good luck and let me know if you have anything else I can help with.

Mike

 

I'm in the middle of this swap. You have to take the front suspension apart anyway to move the engine mounts, so, while youve got it apart go ahead and replace springs, struts, bushings, anything and everything that looks like it might need replaced any time in the next 50k because this suspension is a pain to take apart.

 

I think I read somewhere in this board that all you need is new springs cause the v6 springs with the v6 engine compress the springs about 2 inches whereas the same springs would compress 3 inches with the v8. And imagine what they would do if you hit a speed bump or a depression in the road So go for v8 springs and if you wanted to make your cars stance more agressive get v8 lowering springs from eibach or any other company. I have the v8 1.5 lowering springs on my 2.8 Firebird and it handles fine.

 

Just FYI:
I had v6 spings with a 350 chevy in my 82 for a while. I decided to go with drop springs. When I pulled out the v6 springs, they were about 5 inches taller than the drop springs I got. At that point I was worried, because I didn't want much of a drop. I installed the drop springs and the ride height was the same. Those v6 springs are really soft.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

I left my V6 springs in also. The car sit level enough for me. I did have the front end re-aligned though!

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1992 Pontiac Firebird 350/Six Speed
1987 Toyota Pickup 383/500+ HP