front springs

[stan d]

I know that my engine swap will piss off some but any way I saved a 89 se hatch from the shredder at the local junck yard .

I have installed a 96 firebird LT1 with a t5 trans in to the car also a silvia front end on it. Now the front end has 9" between the edge of the rim and fender lip where as the other 240 I have which has the stock ka in it only has a 7" gap . Which tells me that the V8 is lighter than the ka .with 416hp and 485ftlb torque this swap was a lot cheaper than a sr .

With a sr swap, is this engine also lighter than the KA ? what spring rates are being used?

pictures will be avalible only after the car is completed.

stan

[Flybert]

pictures will be avalible only after the car is completed.

:bs: :bs:

[stan d]

I hate to show a project before completion but this is not BS

[Powashiftin]

just get some coilovers like tein he's

[Flybert]

It looks like you don't have a battery in there and maybe no bumper support. That's about 60lbs off the front-most part of the car. Also, you don't have any of the AC stuff which is another 30lbs off the front end. Oh yeah, you have a silvia front end without headlight assembly. In comparison to the 180sx flipups and the motors, I'm guessing you are saving another 30lbs or more. So far, you have a total of 120lbs off of the front end of the car and you are comparing this to a KA? Show a pic of the car with the hood up and the motor in the car and the extra wheel gap and then I'll believe it.

Yeah and the SR is lighter than the KA.

[skatanic28]

badass swap :rawk:

[stan d]

did I mention That it is not done yet so I set the lights in place and the front didnt move but here is the fender gap and the A/C componets are gone ,the battery is behind the back seat and it has a stock silivia bumper with support.
stan

[orion::S14]

Put it on level ground...see if that helps.

Looks like all those pics are with the rear tires on the ground and front tires still on the lift/ramps.

- Brian

[DuffMan]

I'm guessing it doesnt have fluids in it yet. But yeah just get coilovers.

[FastBack 240]

what are the times you are expecting when finished. Great swap. Saw a video and im sure everyone else has of an older zx with a 350 out of a corvette. It was supercharged too. Hauld ass.

[s0ldats]

that looks like an awesome swap. coilovers will fix whatever gap you have. anyway, if you don't want that just cut some lowering springs ~1 coil.

[Flybert]

Now let's see a pic on flat ground because I still don't believe it. After you add all the fluids, you are going to be adding probably around 15 more pounds. When do you plan on finishing the swap? That is going to be one hell of a car when it's done. Let's see an interior pic and shifter placement. What did you do for mounts? Got any pics.

Forget showing the finished product. It's all about taking pictures in progression. Daily updates.

[gsracer]

just out of curiosity how did you get that in there , custom mounts? did it clear the steering rack? what did you have to do, thumbs up my dad has an ls6 crate engine with wiring harness and computer sitting in his garage, it was for his 73 vette but he decided to go big block with a blower, so ive been contemplating getting rid of my SR and putting that bad boy in there. any help or insight on the swap would be apreciated, if you dont want to post it please pm me, thanks

[Var]

if i was to find out that this motor swap doesnt make your car hella front heavy i will be impressed and will be forced to try it.

[Red]

Awsome man... You should just weigh them and not guess... Pull that thing back out and stick it on a scale... Or look it up on the net...

Have we found out yet is a FORD 302 will fit in our cars? I have been thinking about a FORD 302 for a car ever sence I met a Ford race engine builder... he has a 302 with 800hp in his Cobra Replaca (sp) and I could get one for around 5k that would have 500-600hp Allot better then a RB26

[stan d]

I will post more pictures of the mounts tommorrow but the shifter slightly forward and to the left but still using the stock console and shifter boot the hole was not modified at all.The car is on the ground ,my lift picks up the whole car at once .I moded the stock trans mount and built a custom engine mounts but they bolt to the stock 240 location and oil pan was notched to clear the rack. I will be firing her up this week.
I plan on a set of coilovers. I just wanted a starting place for the spring rate .What rates are being used for the sr swap?

the ls6 swap would be cool all alum engine like the sr .
stan

[Flybert]

People use the same spring rates for KA and SR. When you get coilovers, the spring rates are usually high enough so that adding a lot of weight really doesn't make the car lower at all. The first thing that you notice when you sit in your car after installing the coilovers is that the car doesn't even move. I'm running 8/6 on my coilovers and it is good for the street if you aren't a pussy.

[Var]

Flybert--gotta remember a lot of the harshness comes from the valving of the shocks. I ride with 6.7k/5.5k' GC with AGX. I bet your HE's ride smoother even with stiffer springs.

Stan D..hold off on getting your springs until you weigh the car. Since you care about handling(or you wouldnt care what spring rates to use) make sure the car is still balanced. You may be able to use the usual rates or maybe go stiffer in the front if it actually is front heavy..like instead of 8/6 get 9/6 or 10/6 depending on the weight difference of the engine

[SauN]

damn..

i want a video =)

[Flybert]

Flybert--gotta remember a lot of the harshness comes from the valving of the shocks. I ride with 6.7k/5.5k' GC with AGX. I bet your HE's ride smoother even with stiffer springs.

I don't have HE. N1 PRO fo sho. The smoothest there is. 8/6 on softest dampening setting is ridiculously comfortable. Oh yeah, and a little tip since you have the same diff as me. I changed my oil on my diff to a normal valvoline gear oil. Clunked like a mofo. Way louder than before. I went and bought LSD additive from Ford and it makes a big difference. I'm pretty sure that's what kaaz recomends if you are not going to use their oil.

[mrmephistopheles]

it would also help if you drove the car around to settle the springs. nice swap, though!

[stan d]

here are my mounts that I builtfor the swap I have yet to put exaust on her .I am going to get a set of coilover as soon as funds become availble and I am keeping an eye on e-bay for a used set that is reasonable.

stan

[stan d]

Well I now have about 500 mi in the combo in full road trim it weighs 2729 with half a tank of fuel.Traction is my biggest problem, but what fun it gets loose in 1st,2nd,3rd,4th which is a little unnerving

[Var]

Stan D...do you mind if i contact you for some info later on? I'm interested in the LS1 swap. I just want to know about how hard the wiring was..and also i want to use the GM 6-speed but you can probably help me with some ideas if you dont mind.

[sr240mike]

U can do it Var!!. PS Erics 86 got impounded 30 days.

[Blues13]

Hey Nice swap man..! Keep us updated on the progress as I think, we all would like to see some pics/dynos/etc.. when you're done!

I'm a bit skeptical that this V8 would be lighter than a SR, since the LT1 is an iron block plus it has twice as many cylinders and SR is aluminum. I believe the difference between a SR and iron KA is roughly 60-70 pounds? <-- not positive, someone correct me if I'm wrong.