[coyote11]

I've done the searching and read thru the different posts, I can see where this adaptation would not be very difficult, but wanted opinions on what would be the benefits.

1) you gain front steer, is this something that much more desireable compared to rear steer? If so why?

2) I know you get the opportunity to have larger brakes, does the camber have better geometry?

3) What are the pros?

4) What are the cons?

Trying to determine if I should fit one of these, or mod my stock rear steer unit. I already have a front steer R@P from my donor 1995 LT1 with T56

 

[novaderrik]

the second gen suspension setup is light years ahead of the first gen setup. most everything that is done to a first gen suspension- taller spindles and/or the Guldstrand mod- are done to make the suspension act more like the second gen setup. and it is really easy to put bigger brakes on it- the 77-96 HD Caprice spindles with the 12" brakes are a bolt on deal.
i don't think that there is any real advantage to front steer vs rear steer, other than more room for headers and more oil pan clearance.

 

[wiskeesour]

I didnt think it was feasible to do this?

 

[novaderrik]

actually, it has been done- and i think it's just a simple matter of moving some body mounting brackets and lengthening the steering shaft.
and, you know, abotu a thousand other minor things...
someday, when i find another Nova, i'm gonna try swapping a second gen Camaro sub under it just to see how hard it is to do.

 

[thedugan]

Would be much easier to just use an aftermarket frame. Of course up front it will cost allot more $$

 

[BonzoHansen]

I see no real value compared to the work involved. You can work with the 1st gen frame.

 

[novaderrik]

I see no real value compared to the work involved. You can work with the 1st gen frame.

who cares about "value"- we are talking about hot rodding here. a second gen Camaro is a damn good place to get a really good suspension for dirt cheap.

 

[67 Plum]

who cares about "value"- we are talking about hot rodding here. a second gen Camaro is a damn good place to get a really good suspension for dirt cheap.

Trans Am would be even better.Heavier springs and larger swaybar.If you found a WS6 car you could also use the rear end with the disc brakes.I know its 1" wider but thats only 1/2" per side.Easily made up for with wheel offset.

 

[novaderrik]

Trans Am would be even better.Heavier springs and larger swaybar.If you found a WS6 car you could also use the rear end with the disc brakes.I know its 1" wider but thats only 1/2" per side.Easily made up for with wheel offset.

i'm going on the assumption that it would get built up from a bare frame- with springs that make the TA springs seem like the little spring that makes your clicky top pen work. and with stiffer springs, you don't need such a big sway bar. steering box can be replaced with one from a Monte SS or IROC or something for not too much $$$.

 

[pdq67]

I would love to do this!

I would put both level, side by side, at the spindle spuds and move my 1st Gen. brackets over to the 2nd Gen. and go.

pdq67

 

[.Bad75.]

who cares about "value"- we are talking about hot rodding here. a second gen Camaro is a damn good place to get a really good suspension for dirt cheap.

Dont start attacking my second gens now derrik :noway:. I like the Second gen bodys more . Yeah the transam ws6 bars are the deal though I have to agree. Last year I met this guy who had two one he wrecked another hes swapping engine/trans over and he told me if I pulled his drivetrain out and swapped it over I could take the rear axle and the suspension componets! Going into the turns with that thing feels awesome.

 

[novaderrik]

hey, i like the second gens, too. i like them better than the first gens, actually. especially the later second gens after they went to the better aero package.
but there are a LOT of them in junkyards just rotting away, and if anyone wants a cheap way to put a better front suspension under a 67-69 Camaro or 68-74 nova, they are a great place to start..
hmmm.. i wonder if there's any market in selling converted second gen subframes- there seems to be a market for aftermarket front clips that cost $5k or more, so a $1k bolt in subframe might actually sell..

 

[pdq67]

Several years back, onna the mags had an article about a car from Independence, MO that had this done to it!

I tried hard to find the guy so I could ask him about it to no avail.

pdq67

 

[noeljg]

yes i have a firebird that has a second gen frame on it. I did not do the swap. but whoever did it hacked it up. the left side of the frame is ahead about an inch.... no big deal. i am taking the whole car apart starting on firday, has any body ever done this swap

 

[scblucam]

Seems like surfing around here yesterday I saw a conversion to front steer on a first gen frame using a Pinto stye R & P. Look around.

 

[markie1969]

Hello, I saw some posts on the possibility of using a 2nd gen frame for a first gen Camaro. I have a 1980 indy pace car trans am and I own a complete second car that has all the parts and a good frame and I also have an extra set of the front and rear tube suspension with adjustable coils etc so I am looking around to see if anyone has done the swop to a second gen Camaro or in my case a 67 firebird swopped to the top of the line second gen frame. If you or anyone has done this and can give me some advice I would really appreciate it.