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The Barra/Granada Swap, Part Four: Time To Quit Dragging Ass!


The Barra/Granada Swap, Part Four: Time To Quit Dragging Ass!

So far, all of the attention made on the 1976 Ford Granada that Fuel Injection Sucks is swapping an Australian Barra six into has been focused on the engine swap itself. And that’s as it should be…an engine that has such a stout reputation but isn’t a common option in the States crammed into the car that defines “Malaise Era” just sitting still deserves focus. But in the process of swapping engines, if you’re going to be upping the power, you need to upgrade other parts as well. In the case of the Granada, it’s time to look at the rear suspension. The Granada was not groundbreaking in any department where the suspension is concerned. In fact, it’s pretty much 1960 Falcon front and back…leaf springs and a live rear axle was all you needed. The beauty of that is it’s simple. Swap one axle for another, make sure the leaves are in line and aren’t binding, and make sure the driveshaft pinion angle is happy, and you’re good to go.

The stock axle and suspension is coming out of the Granada and is going to be replaced with an 8.8 out of an Explorer. Normally, that isn’t quite ideal…the Explorer does provide a stout axle with good spline count and rear discs, but the Explorer’s pumpkin is offset to the passenger side…versus the dead-center approach that the Granada’s original axle used. The leaf packs are coming out in favor of Calvert Racing components, the shocks are going to be some good units, and subframe connectors are going to be employed. Who made those? Well…this car is all about home ingenuity, right?


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2 thoughts on “The Barra/Granada Swap, Part Four: Time To Quit Dragging Ass!

  1. bob

    A Lincoln Versalles rear would have bolted right in and then you would have a 9 inch. Too easy I guess.

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