Fourth gen to Second gen f body rear end swap

[70fireturd]

Has anyone swapped a fourth gen firebird or camaro rear suspension into a second gen f body? It seems like it would be a cheap way to get posi, good gears, and disc brakes. Not to mention a better suspension set up than the old leaf springs. Welding and cutting would apply but there are plenty of companies out there that supply links and brackets. Has anyone done this and/or have pics?

[Randy67]

The 4th gen rear end is considerably weaker than a second gen. Plus the brakes from the 4th gen bolt onto your axle. Easier to make your rear end a torque arm (some vendors on here offer kits) than adapt the 4th gen.

[70fireturd]

I am talking about a simple street car, mild power to the wheels, and for cheap. Most of the disc brake conversions I have seen for the second gen 10 bolts on average are $300-$400 dollars. Then to convert your suspensions to four link/coil over or torque arm suspension are about $500-$1200 dollars. For a broke college kid such as myself that hurts the wallet. I have found many people parting out wrecked LS1 trans ams with good rear ends for $150-$200 dollars. The conversion wouldn't be as radical as some of the awesome conversions I have seen on this site but it would be better than stock.

[tiresmokindad]

Has anyone swapped a fourth gen firebird or camaro rear suspension into a second gen f body? It seems like it would be a cheap way to get posi, good gears, and disc brakes. Not to mention a better suspension set up than the old leaf springs. Welding and cutting would apply but there are plenty of companies out there that supply links and brackets. Has anyone done this and/or have pics?


I have done that. But I don't have any pictures of it. I will try to capture the finish product. :smoke:

[MrQuick]

It has been done before and in my opinion you would be going backwards as far as performance. The 4th gen rear is designed around the weight and balance of the 4th gen Camaro.

Broke college kid should not get broke-r, put your money in a great set of shocks, tires and sway bars.

Vince

[Randy67]

I am talking about a simple street car, mild power to the wheels, and for cheap. Most of the disc brake conversions I have seen for the second gen 10 bolts on average are $300-$400 dollars. Then to convert your suspensions to four link/coil over or torque arm suspension are about $500-$1200 dollars. For a broke college kid such as myself that hurts the wallet. I have found many people parting out wrecked LS1 trans ams with good rear ends for $150-$200 dollars. The conversion wouldn't be as radical as some of the awesome conversions I have seen on this site but it would be better than stock.

Honestly, putting the 4th gen rear into your car will cost more than you realize. You will need lower control arms, panhard bar mounts (custom build to match up to the rear end), spring and shock mounts, front mount for the torque arm along with widening the driveshaft tunnel for clearance and 4th gen wheels for the rear since the axle is wider than you stock one. As for the brakes, grab 2 left side setups and they will bolt onto your existing rear axle (search for LS1 rear brake swaps) and you can have 4 wheel disc brakes for cheap. No need to buy aftermarket kits.
Like Vince said, you can easily improve the handling of your car with bolt-ons and it will handle as good as the 4th gen. Just Ask Mary Pozzi.
:6gears:

[BonzoHansen]

A 4th gen rear is too wide for your car and too weak for anything bigger than a power wheels. There is a reason 4th gen guys try to get rid of them.