Wheels are on it.

Topic: Wheels are on it. (Read 8715 times) previous topic - next topic

Wheels are on it.

Reply #30 – November 28, 2006, 12:15:24 AM

Quote from: 46Tbird;115726

Last ones. I'm sure you guys are sick of seeing this piece of . :D

No way...keep the pictures and info coming...Sweet! I might have missed the spec's on the wheels. Are they 18's? They look great in the wheel opening. I can see a side exhaust exiting just in front of the rear tires!

Nice job...

Wheels are on it.

Reply #31 – November 28, 2006, 10:23:59 AM

Quote from: gumby;115831

in the front, you might look into an 87-88 k-member. would help tuck those wheels in jus a tad more. keep an eye on the camber adjustment though. im sure you would need a set of CC plates to get any amount of neg camber after a swap to a 87-88 k-member w/your current shorter LCAs.

Hmm. Now this is interesting.

So the '87-88 cars had the same front track width as the '83-86 cars, they just used a narrower K-member, wider control arms, and essentially the same spindle? I guess this was to tune the camber curve?

I guess I was thinking the '87-88 cars actually had a wider track, as my big block '87 TC seemed to; the "standard" 15x3.5" wheels were right at the edge of the fender lips.

I'm probably just going to try some CC plates for now along with a massaging of the fender lips. But my brother wants my stock CFI 302 in his Fairmont and it sure would be easy to do a K-member swap. I'll sleep on it.

Hey CougarSE - thanks for cleaning up a lot of the junk on my car, but I'm not painting it perrywinkle. :D

Wheels are on it.

Reply #32 – November 28, 2006, 12:39:52 PM

46Tbird,

Thanks for the pics, that helps me a lot with my decision. The wheels I am planning on using have a just over an 1/8” more backspacing than your wheels, so judging by your pics I can live with the tire that close to the edge.

Those are 245/45-17's on the front, correct?

Quote from: 46Tbird;115919

Hmm. Now this is interesting.

So the '87-88 cars had the same front track width as the '83-86 cars, they just used a narrower K-member, wider control arms, and essentially the same spindle? I guess this was to tune the camber curve?

I guess I was thinking the '87-88 cars actually had a wider track, as my big block '87 TC seemed to; the "standard" 15x3.5" wheels were right at the edge of the fender lips.

I'm probably just going to try some CC plates for now along with a massaging of the fender lips. But my brother wants my stock CFI 302 in his Fairmont and it sure would be easy to do a K-member swap. I'll sleep on it.

Chuck W & I did a quick measurement of the two K-members last week and there is a significant difference in the width of the A-arm mounting points.
The ’87-’88 K-member is roughly it’s about 1-1/2”-1-3/4” narrower.

Here is the post over on NATO.
http://natomessageboard.com/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=018318

Brent

Wheels are on it.

Reply #33 – November 28, 2006, 01:09:41 PM

I need to verify that front measurement again on the 87-88 K-member. I haven't had a chance to get back to it, but yes, it is narrower.

The issue with the later K-members is the different motor mounts that are hard to find....but I think I know someone who offers a HD alternative

Wheels are on it.

Reply #34 – November 28, 2006, 01:37:29 PM

Wow, an inch and a half would make a big difference for me.

So, does anyone know if stock '83-86 control arms are able to bolt up to an '87-88 V8 crossmember? I.E, do the attaching points mate up?

I think that is a good solution. A horrendous pain in the ass but everything would line up better. Thanks fellas...

Wheels are on it.

Reply #35 – November 28, 2006, 05:57:01 PM

im glad you guys are here to cover my hind end. i was havin a helluva time dredgin up actual numbers on the width difference

Wheels are on it.

Reply #36 – November 28, 2006, 06:01:15 PM

Quote from: 46Tbird;115936

So, does anyone know if stock '83-86 control arms are able to bolt up to an '87-88 V8 crossmember? I.E, do the attaching points mate up?

Yes

Wheels are on it.

Reply #37 – November 28, 2006, 06:29:20 PM

Great.

That means I can make it even lower. :D

Wheels are on it.

Reply #38 – December 02, 2006, 08:55:08 PM

Quote from: 46Tbird;115936

Wow, an inch and a half would make a big difference for me.

It does, I did the shorter control arms on my lowered 87 TC using SN95 spindles and the 87 K-member. I modded the K-member to allow the engine to sit slightly lower too.

Quote from: 46Tbird;115936

So, does anyone know if stock '83-86 control arms are able to bolt up to an '87-88 V8 crossmember? I.E, do the attaching points mate up?

As Chuck stated, yes, they'll bolt up fine. One thing though to remember is that with 9" wide wheels they will rub the control arms on sharp turns. I clearanced mine before the wheels did it on their own.

Quote from: 46Tbird;115936

I think that is a good solution. A horrendous pain in the ass but everything would line up better. Thanks fellas...

Yea, it is a little work but if u get the engine out for whatever reason its not as much a bitch. It does require aftmkt caster camber plates and fairly aggressive inboard elongation of the strut plate slots and the large holes for the upper strut mounts on top of the strut towers to correct the positive camber and allow for a degree or 2 of neg.

Wheels are on it.

Reply #39 – December 05, 2006, 12:41:18 PM

Hey SN, got any pictures of your setup? I'd just like to see how tucked the tire is in the wheelwell, to see if all this is worthwhile.

Danny

Wheels are on it.

Reply #40 – December 05, 2006, 12:59:39 PM

Sorry, I dont have pics of it, guess I should get on that one day. As far as it bein worth your time, the front wheels are tucked very good inside on mine with no rub whatsover and mine has been lowered farly tight to the tire. My front wheel/tire combo is 275/35/18's on Steeda UltraLight I rims that are 18x9's. This is probably close to as wide as you can go without rubbing on the struts, mine has fine clearance with what it has now. Good luck with yours, lookin good so far.

Wheels are on it.

Reply #41 – December 15, 2006, 05:37:08 PM

mind if I sag one of these pics for the calendar?

Wheels are on it.

Reply #42 – December 20, 2006, 12:35:15 PM

Hey Sumthin Nuu:

What shorter a-arms did you use? From an earlier 'bird? Do you know if there is also a tubular equivilant?

Also, by "I clearanced mine before the wheels did it on their own," did you mean you modded the a-arms? And how?

And btw, I totally agree... get some pics up!

Wheels are on it.

Reply #43 – January 12, 2007, 01:11:27 PM

Anyone interested in buying this car?

Found another car I have to have, I need to make some garage space for it though.

I'll make someone a sweet deal, first $1900 takes it. That's with brand new wheels and tires and SN95 front brakes, clean title.

It's not a mint car but it isn't too bad. I know I'll regret it later, but I'll have to find its replacement when garage space is available again.

I guess it could sit outside but I really don't want to do that to this car...

Wheels are on it.

Reply #44 – January 12, 2007, 03:56:37 PM

what you find? not another bird cause you caould swap the wheels and brakes so what is it?