lowering a wagon

[Longroof79]

Ed,
The #5660 is a popular spring for these cars. They do have a stiffer spring rate than the stock springs, or F41 springs. But I was told that they don't lower it that much...maybe a half inch or so. To achieve a lower stance, I believe a quarter to half a coil would need to be cut off.
I didn't realize you had two wagons...cool! You might have mentioned it, but I probably forgot.

 

[81msw79]

Yeah don't believe I mentioned it before. it is a new project.
it is a 83 with a 350ci 300 horse crate motor,2004r, 7.5" with 2.73 posi rear. I have pretty much everything to convert it over to a manual shift car. just need an adapter plate to bolt a ford world class t5 to the gbody bellhousing. it will be nice car when it is done. car is also coming with a ton of other parts

 

[Longroof79]

The '83 sounds like a nice project. It should be a blast to drive with a WC T5. The 2.73 gears should work pretty well with the standard trans...and should get decent gas mileage cruising in 5th gear.
You'll definitely have to post up your progress on that car. Good luck with it.

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

Jack,

I'll need to use rear coil overs as I really don't plan on changing my rear disc brakes around at this point. I don't think the calipers will hit during normal operation but I am concerned about standing start launches. A friend of mine worked for Bilstien for years and he's building some shocks with adjustable valving. Not that I can adjust on the car, but I can drive the car, say yea or nay and he can tweek the ride at his shop. In the bigger scheme of things, shocks are easy to take on and off. I don't plan on hauling anything but *ss in my wagon but even some of the Arizona roads summon not so fond memories of Michigan roads. ...

Sorry

:arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

 

[EdontheBeach]

jack, the springs in my wagon are tost. the car already sits 1 1/2" lower then stock cause the springs are sagging pretty bad.

do you still have these saggy rear springs? I might like to have them. I am looking to keep the same ride, just lower; with good shocks and rear sway bar they may be just what I'm looking for.

 

[ssn696]

Astro Van Manual T5 Bellhosuing

81msw79, take a look at this photo. I have wanted to do this swap myself. But, I found a set of WC gears to make a GM WC T5 with the 0.63 OD, so this project went into my shed. Interesting? That's an Astro van bellhousing for the 4.3L manual. The T5 they used was non-world class, with a 3.50 first gear and a 0.86 OD. For some reason, they elected to use a Ford t-case. That's a 606 G-body bellhousing next to it. The angle of the fork pivot looks about right, but probably have to cut off the hydraulic slave mount. Thoughts?

Quinn

 

[81msw79]

edonthebeach, I still have the springs. I have not dug into the car yet. now that spring is coming I will be looking into what direction I take it.

ssn696 looks like that housing may work but you need to make sure the gbody fork will fit it and that the it has the right depth for the ford input shaft. I found a place that makes the adapter plate and I have an almost complete bellhousing/linkage setup. I also recently sold my dad the coveted gbody 11" bellhousing if I decide to go big block I can get it back from him to run.