Fordillac
- Thread starter Fordillac
- Start date
- Status
Cool project. The regular suspension rides and handles like a marshmallow, definitely can be improved. But springs and sway bars are better in the aftermarket version than any stock version. If the donor is cheap enough, upgrade with better aftermarket parts and consider the 2WD Blazer brake swap. I think most will consider your car a G body in spirit and a honorary member of the club.
Thanks 307/403, don't know about Blazer brakes. Tell me more as long it doesn't increase the track width. The clip will certainly be completely rebuild, I'm to old to do it twice 🙃 I'll have a lot more questions once I score a clip. I'm not trying to cheap out, I've got enough set aside to do it right and do it once. I'll be off line for a few days while I do flooring in my computer room. Keep the suggestions coming.....Thanks Curt in Arizona...
Here is the thread on the Blazer front brake upgrade....
gbodyforum.com
98~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!
This upgrade made a HUGE difference for me. My old hardware was only 2 years old on the calipers, rotators, and pads. i am going to have my alignment looked at in a few weeks. But for now it is parked till it gets nicer out. I just wanted to post an easy to do, bolt-on upgrade for our g-bodies...
gbodyforum.com
The Cadillac powered Fords were big in the early 50s. Andy Granatelli and his Brother were making this conversation in Chicago around 1950.
Just a few quick comments on the swap.
Mounting the 500 on a G Body front clip should be close to what I had to do to put a 500 on the El Camino. I offset my engine to the passenger side a bit for clearance and depending on how the things line up on your 52 you may or may not have to do this. My build thread pretty much covers what I did for mounts and locating the engine.
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/500-cadillac-in-a-g-body.25458/
Not knowing how the engine is currently set up with the original frame, a couple of things to look out for.
If you don’t already have one on the engine you will need a rear sump El Dorado oil pan to clear the front crossmember. You might also look at the drain back mod I made to mine to alleviate having to drain the front sump.
To run a factory sway bar (strongly recommended) you will need to use the 425 Cadillac off set oil pump for clearance.
While bigger is always better, I’ve been running the stock front brakes on my El Camino for the last 8 years/85,000 miles and they are adequate and I have no inclination to change them.
Front springs will likely need to be upgraded, but that will have to be done based on what the front end weight is when you get everything pretty much finished up and your preference for “feel”.
Good luck with the swap.
Mounting the 500 on a G Body front clip should be close to what I had to do to put a 500 on the El Camino. I offset my engine to the passenger side a bit for clearance and depending on how the things line up on your 52 you may or may not have to do this. My build thread pretty much covers what I did for mounts and locating the engine.
https://gbodyforum.com/threads/500-cadillac-in-a-g-body.25458/
Not knowing how the engine is currently set up with the original frame, a couple of things to look out for.
If you don’t already have one on the engine you will need a rear sump El Dorado oil pan to clear the front crossmember. You might also look at the drain back mod I made to mine to alleviate having to drain the front sump.
To run a factory sway bar (strongly recommended) you will need to use the 425 Cadillac off set oil pump for clearance.
While bigger is always better, I’ve been running the stock front brakes on my El Camino for the last 8 years/85,000 miles and they are adequate and I have no inclination to change them.
Front springs will likely need to be upgraded, but that will have to be done based on what the front end weight is when you get everything pretty much finished up and your preference for “feel”.
Good luck with the swap.
I scored a 85 442 frame that will be delivered to me in 3 or 4 weeks and the car will be going to the fab shop the first week of January. I will definitely be doing the Blazer brake swap. There won't be much to update for a while but please keep the suggestions coming. Curt in Arizona...Here is the thread on the Blazer front brake upgrade....
98~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!
This upgrade made a HUGE difference for me. My old hardware was only 2 years old on the calipers, rotators, and pads. i am going to have my alignment looked at in a few weeks. But for now it is parked till it gets nicer out. I just wanted to post an easy to do, bolt-on upgrade for our g-bodies...
- Status
