Will front steer nova subframes swap into a first gen Camaro? Are the front steer nova subframes the same as the 70 up Camaro?

Just happen to think of this and was wondering? :confused:

Joe

The '75 and up are front steer, and I believe they are the same as the 2nd gen camaro. So no, they wouldn't be any easier to swap then a 2nd gen camaro.

it has been done, tho, and the newer cars do have better suspension geometry and the ability to do a swap to junkyard taller Caprice spindles for even more improvement and bigger brakes. it would also get rid of thoses pesky header fitment issues around the steering box.
not a bolt in deal, but then again, what is?

What has to be done to get one into a first gen? I have access to a few of these that are complete spindle to spindle and power brake units with masters. I can get them for about $100.00 complete.

Joe,

The way I would do this conversion if I had a bigger garage AND a welder is that I would pull my First Gen's S/F out and sit it right next to the Second Gen's S/F and whittle on it and brace and weld on it until they both matched!!

AND I really don't think it would be all that hard a job!!

But be sure and match spindles to center of the front wheelwells and the tranny mount and both motor mounts so everything else fits right..

To really get at it, you might even think about narrowing both S/F steel "rails" and boxing/fishplating them on the inside so that you can mount wider tires and rims on the front??

You will gain a better front roll center, possible bigger dia stock, front S/B if wanted, possible bigger stock parts, 12" brakes from the 1Le and big cars again, if wanted, and finally front steer like was mentioned for a lot freer engine compartment that should really help header fitment..

Go for it!!

pdq67

There was a guy who did this a couple years ago to an early 70's Nova. It was in Hot Rod. He used a front steer subframe. It was a lot of work, but it looked real nice. The body mounting points are completely different.

Tim

We saw an early Nova with front steer at the Green Bay leg of Power Tour. We tried to find the owner, however he left before we could talk to him.

Noel

That guy was the one I tried to get hold of that is/was(??) from Independence, MO and wasn't able to..

I really wish somebody would do this conversion AND take a whole bunch of good pic's for us all to see how it needs to be done b/c I think it is a winner!!

pdq67

My friend has a '69 with the 2nd gen sub-frame. It handles really well. He did'nt do the conversion so I can't give any insight on that. Seems to be pretty straight forward. It also uses the 2nd gen steering column.

Cris

Hi Cris, nice to have you posting! graemlins/waving.gif