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'88 cradle suspension, worth the cost by hillsj
Started on: 04-08-2002 11:03 PM
Replies: 5
Last post by: longjonsilver on 04-09-2002 07:55 AM
hillsj
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From: athens, al
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Report this Post04-08-2002 11:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for hillsjSend a Private Message to hillsjDirect Link to This Post
Is doing the '88 cradle swap worth the expense or is just upgrading to poly everywhere enough. trying to decide as will be doing V8 conversion which would be the time to do a cradle swap. correct me if wrong but to do swap I need

$200 - $500 cradle with susp
$200 - $250 coilover kit (held, ground effects, etc)
$100 strut adapter (held motorsport)
$100 - $200 new brake adapters (going for camaro/caddy)

starting to look pricey. is it worth it?

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utahfiero
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Report this Post04-08-2002 11:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for utahfieroClick Here to visit utahfiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to utahfieroDirect Link to This Post
In a word YES.

I have completed this swap and think it is definatly worth it.

I wrote up the conversion on my webpage. http://www.mindspring.com/~martinwhite/fiero

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Martin D. White
86.5 GT 3.4 pushrod, 88 cradle, gt-40 style hood vent, recessed lights, GA brakes

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Tagueule
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Report this Post04-08-2002 11:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for TagueuleDirect Link to This Post
Putting poly on the 84 to 87 rear suspension does not make it handle as well as the stock 88, despite what a lot of people here will claim.

It is worth it, and as long as you got it all apart, go poly on the 88 and it gets even better.

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watts
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Report this Post04-09-2002 01:57 AM Click Here to See the Profile for wattsSend a Private Message to wattsDirect Link to This Post
I'll third that (?).

Had almost all the combo's now on mine. Got it stock, then went poly, now have '88. No comparison at the end.

The car has now lost all it's "swiminess" going over wavy roads. I used to be able to almost feel the body squirm all over. Now it's totally solid.

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87/88 V6 5spd Notchback Hybrid

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cadero2dmax
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Report this Post04-09-2002 05:41 AM Click Here to See the Profile for cadero2dmaxSend a Private Message to cadero2dmaxDirect Link to This Post
If you want a stiffer rear end that still is squirelly and still has bump steer, poly and sway bar the early chassis cradle.

If you want a stiffer, squirelly rear end with wierd bump steer characteristics, put a sway bar, poly bushings, and a bump steer kit under an early chassis. The bump steer kit smooths the bump steer for only PART of the suspension travel, but not all of it. So on a bumpy road that causes the suspension to travel more than a couple inches, bump steer is limited a little, really there, limited, there, etc. Really a handful!!

Of course, you could get the suspension so stiff that the car will never move more than an inch or so, but how comfortable is that on the streets?

If you want minimal bump steer, an excellent handling Fiero with a good ride then do an '88 cradle swap.

My last 5 Fieros have been done this way, both racecars and daily drivers. The 4.9 with 5 speed on an '88 cradle with poly link bushings is one of the best handling/driving Fieros I have owned (including the Q4 racecar that I had over $25K in). If you make it to Ed's swap meet, look me up. I will let you take it for a spin.

G

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longjonsilver
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Report this Post04-09-2002 07:55 AM Click Here to See the Profile for longjonsilverClick Here to visit longjonsilver's HomePageSend a Private Message to longjonsilverDirect Link to This Post
i find complete 88 rear suspensions including crossmember (cradle?) for $150 at:
http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

cradles for $100.

longjonsilver

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Im the original owner of a white 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983. "It is better to remain quiet and have people think you are a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt" - Abe Lincoln

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