4th gen suspension in a 1st gen

[Ackattack]

I was doing a little brainstorming and came up with an idea.

Basically the entire front suspension, k-member, and engine mounts will drop out from a 4th gen from below. Is it possible (or has anyone done it) to "simply" bolt this into a 1st gen? I think you'd have to make some upper shock mounts as they bolt into the fenderwells in the 4th gens.

Another possibility may also be to just bolt in the whole front clip.

I don't have a 1st gen yet to take any measurements off of.

This will solve several problems for me. One I'm planning on using ls1 brakes and an LS1....all included. Plus I would think the suspension setup is better than a lightly modified 1st gen (being 30 years newer). I was also thinking that this might give me the option to have ABS, which I think would be pretty cool to have in a 1st gen.

One concern that I have is the track width with the 4th gen suspension....I'm thinking its wider than the first gens, but like I said, I can't take measurements. Does anyone make fenders that are flared to accomodate wider tires?

I'd like some input on the idea and if anyone has done it.

thanks

[MoeBawlz]

i dont think you can just bolt up a 4th gen suspension to any 1st gen without cutting the floor out of the 4th gen and welding it up to the 1st gen...

[MrQuick]

Thats water untested, if you can make it work then great. Heres the thing...
1st gens a 4th gens are different animals, The reason why a 4th gen suspension works is because its designed to do so with all components as a whole. Just bolting on a suspension and expecting it to out handle your 01, might not happen and thats a pretty big gamble.
Im not saying it could not be done im just saying its going to be exspensive and trial and lots of error.
The whole front frame work would have to be designed and built to set the engine in right and properly locate the suspension. Its just not a cut this out and weld this here type job. In order to have the front member sit right you would have to cut out the 1st gen cross section and move it rearward.
Even if you pulled it off,im not too sure the handeling would be any better than a 1st gen with a DSE front kit or a Wayne Due setup.
You might be better off buying a 4th gen, cut the body off of it and graft a 1st gen body onto it...IMHO, you would have to be crazy attempt a job like that... :screwy: :lmao:

[MuscleRodz]

I considered this over a year ago and determined for the work involved, I could build from scratch something that would work better. Plus if you have ever tried changing the plugs or let alone any major work on a 4th gen z/28, you will figure out those strut towers suck big time. Also the track width is way to wide and can't be narrowed to make work.

Mike

[zman1969]

Theres a guy here in Tx that has a 73 r/s with 93 front suspension owned by Bill Ogle its called the 73/93 front suspension was grafted in with Brembo brakes even the 93 rear end was installed with coil overs ABS , 93 interior-dash door panels,seats . I actually got a ride in it with its Callaway stroked LT1 6 speed - what an animal! it was rough rider around town but on the interstate it was fun , again proving with enough money and determination you can build anything :poke:
one thing keeps me wondering why you would remove a strong 8.5" rear and go with the OE 7.5" rear :Alchy:

try this link for pics http://www.v8cars.hu/mag.php?cikk=cikk0070

sorry its not in english!

[skeevay]

I am currently doing something similiar to this as we speak. I cut the front frame off of my 65 Impala SS, and grafted in a custom built front subframe to bolt a 96 Camaro K-member up to. Also a lot of fabrication was done to mount the upper a-arms and a custom strut tower brace. The track width is wide. It actually is even wider then the stock Impala. Stock though, the wheel wells hang way over the tires on the Impala so the wider track width actually improved the look/stance. This is way more work obviously then just "bolting" it in. If you were to do this to a 1st gen, I would think you would have to unbolt the subframe, toss it, and build a new one to accept the k-member/ a-frames from scratch. If you search for my first (newbie) post there should be some old pictures of what I did to give you an idea. Good luck!!