V8 swap with a twist

[stonebreaker]

Greetings. I'm in the planning stage of a V8 swap into a 92 sonoma. I'd like to set it up as a daily driver/weekend autocrosser. What makes my build different is that I wrecked my 96 impala, and I'm going to put as much of the impy into the sonoma as I can. In addition to the LT1, I'm using the trans, the rear end, the spindles, the brakes (including the ABS system), the cruise control, the steering column, the wheels, the brake master cylinder, the twilight sentinel system, the instrument cluster, and anything else in the impala that's better than the equivalent part on the sonoma.

The cheapest option for the rear end is to narrow the impala rear and mount it under the truck. I'm planning on using the stock control arm mounts on the rear end if possible, combined with either coil springs or coilovers. I want to redo the front end with tubular a-arms, coilovers, swaybar, the taller impala spindles (which improve the camber curve as well as allow me to use the larger impala brakes), and the quicker ratio impala steering box.

Here's where I need your help. I've been drag racing the impala for about 10 years. I've never set a car up for corner carving. I've read Herb Adams' 'Chassis Engineering', and I have a rudementary understanding of the principles involved in steering geometry. Just enough understanding, that is, to realize I need some help. I have no idea how to calculate spring rates or instant center or anything like that. I understand there is suspension software out there that will help me calculate all that stuff. I need something that will do both the front and back suspension.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[srh3trinity]

11.99 in an Impala, I'm guessin that there are a few extra goodies on that setup. Sounds like a cool project. You will get great advice here.

[black2002ls]

the build is on the extreme side of the spectrum but look at syborgtt's project in the introduction forum. Lots of eye candy and ideas in that thread!

[stonebreaker]

Actually, I'm still running the stock iron heads, although they've got a stage 1 port job. The 11.99 came on a 100 shot, but the car has run 12.65 @ 107 off the bottle. The impala with me in it weighs 4500 lbs. I figure the sonoma with a V8 and me is going to weigh somewhere around 3200 lbs - should run an 11.5 on pump gas and get about 22 mpg on the highway! :D

Anyway, I'm already talking to Marty about his Syborg. He's doing an amazing job on that thing, and I'm hoping to learn how to do the dash, among other things, from him. However, I'm working in a different direction - I'm not building a second car. This truck will continue to be my son's daily driver - thus the ABS, cruise control, and other stuff that's not really hotrod material but will make for a better daily driver. Since it IS a daily driver, I'm not going to be slamming it down to the pavement, either. I plan on lowering it 2 or 3 inches, but not so much for looks as for better handling.

My main goal in joining this forum is to learn how to make the truck really handle. Because the rear end setup is going to be unusual if not downright unique, I'm going to have to design the suspension for it from scratch. The impala rear comes stock with a triangulated 4-link setup that Herb Adams refers to as a Satchell Link. He likes this setup, so I think I'd like to keep it if I can. Since I'm doing it anyway, I might as well learn how to do it right. Because the back end is custom, I know the rear sway bar will affect the front, so I need to know if an available front sway bar will work, or will I need a custom one? What spring rates will I need? How long should my rear trailing arms be? I need to learn how to figure this stuff out. I was told you guys know of several software programs that can help me with this. What's popular, and why? What are the different capabilities of some of the programs out there? What are the various prices?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[syborg tt]

I was thinking about the abs that you are putting in the truck. You may want to consider getting a ABS unit from a syclone as it is a 4 channel unit specific to an S10/S15.

Other note is the Sonoma GT came with rear wheel ABS

you may also want to look at the other sonoma gt

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?p=291024#post291024

[stonebreaker]

4 channel would be nice. The impala system is a 3 channel setup, with the rear sensor monitoring the pinion speed on the rear diff. Since I'm going to be using both the impy front rotors and the rear end, everything is already setup for the impala's ABS system - no problems with finding a place to mount the rear sensors, or finding rear brake rotors with the correct reluctors. The hardest part of the ABS swap is going to be finding a place to mount the ABS unit. Same goes for the cruise control.

[syborg tt]

here is where GM did it on the Syclone

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/91PPG-Syclone/91_2268_32.jpg

[stonebreaker]

Dang, that's where I was planning on mounting the cruise control. Hmm, maybe I can fab a bracket or something...or better yet, move the battery to the bed of the truck.

[BlazerSpeed]

Sounds like an awesome project. Seems like more and more people are getting into the box body S-series'. Quick question for ya too, where exactly is Shiloh Illinois? Im too lazy to mapquest it right now. in anycase... :ttiwop:

had to be done.
-Derek-

[stonebreaker]

I'll start posting pics when I actually start the build. Right now, the truck is the daily driver for my son. It will be going under the knife once school lets out.

I still have to buy an engine hoist and a welder, too, before I start the project.

Shiloh is down south - just outside St Louis.

[stonebreaker]

Anyone know where I can get specs on how to build a fuel cell? I'm looking at moving the gas tank to the spare tire location behind the rear axle in order to make room for dual exhaust, and I don't want the truck to "do a pinto" if it gets rear-ended.

[syborg tt]

Anyone know where I can get specs on how to build a fuel cell? I'm looking at moving the gas tank to the spare tire location behind the rear axle in order to make room for dual exhaust, and I don't want the truck to "do a pinto" if it gets rear-ended.


If you are planning on running a fuel cell where the spare tire is then you have some things to consider. I peronally wouldn't build a cell for my son if i've never built one before. I would consider a fuel cell from Race Safe as it has an internal bladder that will contain the fuel in the event of an accident. The other thing to consider is to have the fuel pick up in the top of the tank instead of the back portion of the tank where it could be in harms way.

Other suggestions would be to make sure that it is narrow enough to allow room for the exhaust to pass by the sides of the tank and not obstruct the rear suspension. You have to leave room for heat shields also. There isn't alot of room back there and we were only able to figure out 10 - 13 gallon tank if we made the exhaust exit out the back. This is one of the reason we moved the exhaust exits to the front of the wheels. We also added a round 1/4" tube to protect the tank in the event of an accident. None of which would help if I get hit hard enough.

The other option you may want to consider is get a tank from a 2wd Jimmy as they fit between the frame rails and have a pump and pick up already mounted. It's a pretty straighnt forward install and it has OEM saftey.

[stonebreaker]

Holy crap, Race Safe is sure proud of their products! I can justify an upgrade to a tig welder just based on the cost of the fuel cell alone!

I think the 2wd jimmy tank idea is within the budget, though. Thanks for the tip!

[syborg tt]

Holy crap, Race Safe is sure proud of their products! I can justify an upgrade to a tig welder just based on the cost of the fuel cell alone!

I think the 2wd jimmy tank idea is within the budget, though. Thanks for the tip!


Yep it's that exploding thing that capitalize on.