The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop hey houston,

if what i'm reading is correct(that you want to sub the front end and the post about the radiator) i've got a couple of points to make.

1st is the radiator.
if you're gonna sub it, wait to buy the radiator as the stock one might not fit (depends on what the ride height is)

2nd is the subframe itself.
78 was a 1 year only on rotors and spindles,it'll only be a problem if you want to go to dropped spindles later (78 rotors won't fit 79-up and that's the only option on spindles)

just thought i'd make you aware of potential problems...

In reply to the radiator, I have no plans to use the stock radiator with a v8/auto trans. I am trying to find someone who has found another option other than using a aftermarker desert cooler.
As for the 78 subframe I have no plans to drop it further. The ride height will be about 4" lower than stock the way I have set it up. I can change out to 76-81 T/A spindles if I want to go to bigger (11") rotors. That has not been finalized as yet. Thanks for the comments.

what i'm saying is the steering box gets in the way of the radiator support(and the radiator).
just thought i'd forwarn ya...

keep us posted!

The fact the steering box is right in the area needed for the core support cross member is well known and one of the challenges for this type of swap. That is one reason for the original radiator thread is to identify other options before I dive in and find/fab my own solution.

It is quite possible to recreate the crossmember and to shoehorn a radiator into the area. I have seen it done with the "desert cooler" radiator. Keeping the original core support is my current plan to maintain fender/cab references. If I need to modify it to make a rad fit then time will tell.

The website I referenced in my other posting gives some guidance towards this solution. Thanks for the comments.

As to your earlier comment on 78 GP steering components being unique I can find no info to back that up. Where did you get this information? Everyone I have discussed this with knows of no problems with any 78-84 series interchanges. A check of part numbers for various years does not identify any differences.

personal experience.

i have to go get a pair of rotors (for a 78) today for a project i've got going.
i'll get ya part #'s for both if ya want.
actually 3 if ya count 81 up rotors(metric studs)

UBP85595= napa for a 78 cutlass
UBP85644= for a 79 cutlass
UBP85644= 80
UBP85727=83

you get the idea BUT the 78 spindle is a machining issue.
you CAN replace the spindles with 79 up as long as you use the appropriate rotor.

sure be nice if somebody knew of a Rack&pinion that would work correctly with the 78-87 suspensions, sure would take the work out of the radiator problem....

houston, i stand by my numbers.
chk yer e-mail...