My last post got locked because someone didnt read what i was asking very well, i plan on doing rwd, and i know a small block would not fit easily fwd. I searched, and i cant find specific answers. I plan on making a frame of some sort to hold the motor in the front, and then a crossmember to hold the tranny. Then ill cut the floor board, and build an arch over the drive shaft. I know i will need to tub the back and change to a fuel cell in order to get a rear end to fit without it lifting the rear of the car a lot. I need to know if the body of a 98 z with a roll cage, would be able to withstand the torque of a slightly built 350, and what type of roll cage i would need, or what other modifications i would need to make. Im sure convertable doors would help, but i would like to find out what all i need to do, so i dont have to take things back apart to change things a million times. Also, can anyone tell me the wheel base so that i can search for a rear end, i can go measure it, but if anyone can post it up it would be appreciated, because i am extremely busy with finals right now.
Do you think it would need body dropped in order to hide everything underneath the car, and do you think a transaxle rear end like on 240sx's would be easier to use opposed to the traditional rear end or would it be to weak?
Please dont lock this, im not some person thats just talking out my ass, i can and will do the work, but i would like to know as much as possible before starting, and i figured the org would be a good place to start. Any help is appreciated.
Can I give you some advice? It would be easier in this project to do one of the GM FWD 4 liter v8 cars like the Olds Aurora V8 or the Caddy 32V Northstar.
I was a retard, and now I'm permanently banned.
i want rwd, im not worried about ease, nor about the time that it will take me, i have a 99 blazer as a dd, and i love rwd cars. I dont think i could go back to fwd after my 240sx. Thanks, but im not looking for the easy way to say i have a v8, i want it all, v8 and rwd.
Find a good rear end. Get a custom axle made up. Custom fab a tunnel for the driveshaft. Custom fab the suspension. You might want to brace the body from the front to the rear, to reduce flex.
If my memory is still working after my finals today, I think the late 70s Lincoln Versailles rear end is about 57" total width mounting flange to flange. It is a 9" ford rear end so it is strong and it has disc brakes already. I have one in my 68 firebird and my 56 GMC. Sorry...I do not know the width on the cavalier.
The taller you make the tranny tunnel the more rigid the structure will be, also, seam welding all the body panels would help a lot, as well as welding in a piece of sheet metal firewall type piece behind the backseat.
A cage should take care of all the torque, but you may be able to get away without having one if you strengthen things up as I described. I would try that first, then cage it if needed though I doubt you will need one.
You will have to beef up the back to handle the suspension though I imagine, and likely will have to do some sheet metal work over the rear end and for suspension links. A 3 link with a panhard bar should get you the best handling. I wouldnt mess with an independent rear.
If I didnt already have 3 projects in addition to the cavi I would probably do something similar. Check my sig for the 56 GMC, as I am doing a lot of the work you will have to do(tranny tunnel, suspension, increased torsional rigidity)...I will be making some progress and updating the pictures since Im on winter break now.
02 LS Sport
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2135396
68 Firebird
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2135556
56 GMC
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2135587
66 Suburban
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2135589
Buy a 2003 LS1 Camaro.....add ported heads, intake and exhaust, have fun, rinse and repeat
1988 Pontiac Fiero, engine transplant underway.
2004 ECOtec, built and boosted
So you start another post? Hmm... this will be moved or locked more than likely also.
2012 HD VRSCF
2010 Ford Explorer
2006 Ford Ranger
2004 Chevy Cavalier
I've seen a yellow cav with a v8 in it on here before it was crazy. goodluck on the project.
weld up a subframe with mounts for the v8, then weld the subframe into your car. make room in the firewall, and floor for the trans and driveshaft. Then weld in a rear clip, that you can buy from companies like Art Morrison. Then build a cage that ties into the rear clip frame rails.
I think about this project all the time, and the one thing im really not sure of is what to do with the factory steering system. it would definately have to be moved. but how?
Not another one of these posts!!!!
EvansvilleJBody.net wrote:Not another one of these posts!!!!
I think that was uncalled for. Did you even bother to read the post or did you just post? It seems like he might actually try to do this not like all 10,000 16yr olds who say they want to do this over the summer or go all wheel drive. Give it a chance just don''t post all negitve off the bat.
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its going to take alot of custom work , best is to get a dummy motor and trans , they make plastic real size motors for this reason , start mocking up and have at it
i plan on doing a rwd cav also , but im going to be doing a quad/tc motor , or a eco
I saw this done on a Cavy at a car show. THe guy ran the shaft over the floor and built a cover to make a tunnel so the boddy didn't have to be dropped. He used a narrowed 9" Ford rear and I believe a T56 mated to - get this - a blown 500 ci!! It looked kinda like a hotwheels car. You'll need to build a subframe for the front AND you'll need to do one for the rear, I'd recommend a 4-link. I'd say call a shop that builds Prostreet chassis for NHRA and get some advice from them. THat's pretty much what you're building here.
"Wenn ich gehen lasse von, was ich ich bin, werden Sie, was ich bedeutet werde, um zu sein."
Call a shop that builds NHRA chassis and tell them what you are doing and they are going to laugh at you until you pay them first.
I was a retard, and now I'm permanently banned.
Spotabee Racing (The Fake Z24) wrote:Call a shop that builds NHRA chassis and tell them what you are doing and they are going to laugh at you until you pay them first.
It's better than asking someone here. Seriously, it's his best bet. Does anyone here really have the knowledge to help him out with this? I sure as hell don't. He really would be better off getting a Camaro, it's going to cost him as much as one would, but if he wants to do a Cavalier he should really ask someone who would know how to do it.
"Wenn ich gehen lasse von, was ich ich bin, werden Sie, was ich bedeutet werde, um zu sein."
Ronin wrote:Spotabee Racing (The Fake Z24) wrote:Call a shop that builds NHRA chassis and tell them what you are doing and they are going to laugh at you until you pay them first.
It's better than asking someone here. Seriously, it's his best bet. Does anyone here really have the knowledge to help him out with this? I sure as hell don't. He really would be better off getting a Camaro, it's going to cost him as much as one would, but if he wants to do a Cavalier he should really ask someone who would know how to do it.
Well his answer is pretty much straight forward. He will need a custom driveshaft made, and he'll need to fabricate every single thing to go into that swap.
I was a retard, and now I'm permanently banned.
anything is possible with MONEY, i think its a good project. good luck
Thanks for all the help, im gonna check out those links, and hopefully get started here soon. My last final is tommorrow, and then i will be good to go. I agree with the whole anything is possible with a welder and a hammer, a lot more than money. Money just makes it a little easier for lazy people. Any idea on where i can get a foam or plastic mock small block? Im gonna go with a roll cage either way, because i want to race it once finished.
I have one more semester at the college im at now, and then i will be going to wyotech, i hope to have it atleast 75% by then. Ill update when i can.
I think im gonna go with one of the frames from art morrison, that seems like it would be my best bet. Im going to get the motor within the next two weeks, and start building that, and then by the time i save the money to buy the frame, i will have the motor done also. Any idea on how long it takes for them to fabricate one. I am going to give them a call after i get the motor. Thanks again for the links. those other forums seem pretty cool.
BTW. Thats a badass firebird, and that 56 is going to be amazing. Good luck on with it, and i keep checkin your page for updates.
Smith Performance
The finest RWD J around. I post it on all RWD J threads. Nobody ever remembers this one. If you saw it in person, the detail and perfect work would brand it in your memory. The builder/owner is a good guy.
Take a look through the site. It will give you a place to start anyway.
I would want something a litlle less, well, huge in the rear end. A slightly more streetable version of this machine would......be sooooo nice!!!..............If it had a LS7.
One scary ass car.
First of all why the hell not, that sems like a wicked idea, next ppl who say why a J CAUSE WE LOVE THEM, next let try ad be cunstrctive about this dont just bash lets start from the top and run down firat pick a motor, then how can we wount, what tranny can work with it what tranny is well fit, ect, list the problems he may face one at a time then lets see if we can fins an answere a rear wheel dive would be so nice
