Track width/converting to R&P?

Again, I'm jumping the gun a bit since I'm not quite at this point...

My El Camino build thread is here and Dusterbd13 rocked it with a ton of great suspension info.

In the future it will likely get an LS-something swap (probably a 6.0L LQ9) and a T56. Since most of GMs front suspension bits are somewhat interchangable it got me thinking. What if a guy bought an entire 97-99 Camaro front subframe? I could hack out the engine crossmembers and then weld the camaro's in place of the Elky's.

The camaro crossmember would already fit the LS engine without having to notch for the A/C compressor (or move it), no conversion mounts needed, no expensive LS swap headers, and R&P steering.

My big concern is that a camaro has a 60.7" track with a slight positive offset. Elky has something like 58.6" with a zero offset. So, a camaro is likely at least 2 or more inches wider between outer tie rod ends. I can of course compensate with shorter tie rod ends (or adjustment) but how much bump steer will I induce? Am I correct in assuming that a more important indicator or the proper rack choice is that its inner tie rod ends be the same width as the LCA bushings?

I don't know if I can fudge 4" and be fine, or if 1/4" would be death. Is what I'm thinking a good idea, or should I go looking for different racks? I don't mind using a rack from a Tundra or a Challenger, but would prefer something that doesn't require custom hoses. If I blow a hose in Kansas, I want to be able to stop in O'rielly's and get a replacement.

I have no answer but I do have a full 99 v8 camaro front subframe and suspension here in Florida.

Greg, could I maybe pick your brain on some dimensions? Only if its convenient. If they are within workable limits for my project, it sounds like a good excuse to take a road trip.

... to florida

... in the summer.

... with no A/C

Yes, you are right, the inner pivot points of the rack have to match the width of the lca pivots. It needs to be very close to have no bump steer. I looked into this for a project and found an automotive suspension engineering forum, my rack was 1 inch wider and they recommended against it. In a race car with little suspension movement you can get away with more, but not a typically sprung dd.

The other assumption is that the El and Camaro are both front or rear steer?

The really hard part would be the upper control arm mounts, since they attach to the inner fender structure of the F-body, which is fairly high up.

There are some good steering boxes out there that work quite well. Plus tons of suspension parts for the G-body intermediate chassis (lots of roundy round stuff) so it may be better to forgo the F-body suspension. But it would be interesting to see the swap done.

bmwbav, both cars are front steer, so no issues there.

I was thinking basically weld in the crossmember. Same LCAs, but the crossmember would let an LS bolt in and already has the rack.

I'll do some measuring. If it looks close, I might do it.

It sounds like you're making a lot of extra work. With a torch and scrap metal you could make a rack mount and motor mounts The lower control arm mounts aren't both on the crossmember. We would cut the top off the crossmember, thin it down and put a new top on made of sheet steel to lower the engine, then weld in angle iron motor mounts to move it back. With a bit of work you can make a lot of room.

Wally wrote: It sounds like you're making a lot of extra work.

Maybe, but it kinda seems like similar amounts of work. Lots of cut and weld, but I agree. Might as well KISS.

Just saw this again. Let me know if you need measurements off the camaro subframe.

I think it's be far easier to use the stock suspension, engine mount adapter plates, and factory truck manifolds(which flow plenty well). If you really want R&P steering I'm sure you can get that from circle track stuff.