BBR's 83GT - 552 BBF version 3.0 (at least)

[BBR]

Re: BBR's 83GT

I have accomplished everything I set out to do this weekend. Garage Binge 2010 is in the bag. The chassis stuff is pretty much done now, so I can now start messing with the little stuff and the interior.

Original 5.0L on the stand I quickly built today.


New Flaming River manual rack


New Flaming River Rack installed.

[milner351]

Re: BBR's 83GT

NICE!

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

oops

I just bought a Maximum Motorsports 6 pt bar and a QA1 tubular k-member from a buddy of mine... I had not planned to replace the K, but the price was nice and the additional header/starter/etc clearance will certainly be nice.

[horsewidower]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

Tubular K-members make life a lot easier.

[milner351]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

the weight loss off the front end won't hurt either!

nice score

[88pony]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

Did you get the a-arms too? Let us know how they fit-I was looking at them for my car but got afraid they(tires) wouldn't clear my small fenders

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

Well, I picked them up this evening and they are now sitting in the shop.

From what I have read, the QA1's move the front wheels 1" farther forward in order to get better strut geometry. By comparison, Maximum Motorsports' version moves them 3/4" farther forwards. This can lead to the front tires contacting the fender when turning depending upon your particular wheel/tire combination. I will be running some 1.5" k-member spacers which will allow me to adjust it a little if necessary.

I will also be running the stock lower arms and springs for now.

On a side note, these cars are super light. I put a jack under one of the front control arms to see if would compress the spring any so I could safely remove it. Nope. The a-arm didn't budge one bit, it just raised off the jack stand. So, looks like I gotta get a spring compressor to take this stuff apart. Oh well, I like tools.

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

New parts!

[1988montecarloss]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

ive been kinda thinking about converting my car to manual steering.

is the rack the same on the 4 and 8 cyl cars?

and how much was it?

thanks ;)

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

Yes I think they are the same. I got mine off ebay for about $150.

[STINEY]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

I believe the steering joints were different between 4 & 8 cylinder models. Or maybe between power & manual models.... either way, there is something to change over with the rag joint when going to a manual rack.

You're going to need upper spring mount pads, I don't see them in the picture. I grabbed mine off Amazon for less than $20 shipped.

I did mine with no engine/trans without a compressor. Unbolted the strut from the spindle with a jack underneath holding the weight and let it down. No major drama. Cut 1 coil and trying to get them back in without a compressor, not TOO bad but definitely a little bit of drama going back in.

I almost went with a QA1, but thought the AJEracing had a touch more header room around the rear control mount area. With the 500Cadillac I figured I should get all the room I can.....

Nice progress. I look forward to this thread every day!

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

The power and manual shafts are different diameters. I picked up spine adapter off ebay to correct this on mine.

Good tip on the Amazon thing. I had actually considered making my own or just chopping the buckets out of the stock k member and using them.

You're right, the AJE does have more room, but this one was cheap and local! It had been installed in a chassis, but that car was never finished.

I just need to score some shop time this week....

[STINEY]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

Never thought of cutting the stockers out, that's a good idea.

Cheap & local rules. If I score a basket of shop-time I'll send 1/2 to you....... just return the favor if you find some first!

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

I have been looking at spring perches, and there's really nothing special about them. I think I'll just make a set because by the time I chop up a stock bucket, it may end up being too flimsy.

AJE


QA1

[BBR]

Re: BBR's big block 83GT

> old kmember is out
> a-arms are trimmed for clearance
> a-arm bolt head are clearances
> new kmember is loosely assembled

I just unbolted the struts at the top, then swung the a-arms down and popped the springs out with a prybar. Then I unbolted the kmember and lowered one side at a time and slid it out, struts, rack, spindles, rotors and all. That made getting to the a-arm bolts super easy. BTW, the a-arm bolts on this thing have HUGE heads. I didn't have a socket then right size for it (29 or 30mm), but a 32mm wedged it good enough to get them out.

Next is making kmember spacers and spring pockets. ;D