I would like to lower the 3.4 DOHC motor in in my 1988GT. A lower CG is the main reason, but I wouldn't mind the extra clearance above the motor as well. Assuming I can drop it 1" - 2" in the cradle, the next concern would be oil pan clearance. Seeings as how our cars don't have to worry about components passing under the engine, it seems like a shallower, longer, wider pan with proper baffles and doors would be a possibility.

Any thoughts?

Neil

If you are running a manual transmission, you might want to check the current clearance between the driver side tripod housing and the cradle. There isn't much clearance stock and the available clearance will determine how low you can go with the drive train. Once you know that, then you can see what kind of oil pan mod is needed.

I know Darth did a 1" drop with the Dodge truck mounts and some Getrag 1" lowering mounts are being sold in the Mall right now, but you are right, I'll have to look hard at everything to go lower. I have a spare '88 cradle, 3.4DOHC block and an F40 trans I'm going to use for mock-up to build the mounts. It's also going to use the stock 3.4DOHC block mounting points so there will be four mounts instead of three.

The F40 case is much lower where it hangs over the cradle so it will further limit your ability to lower the drivetrain. On my LS4/F40 swap here is the available clearance I have with the stock oil pan being nearly flush to the bottom of the cradle (the drain plug is below the cradle). I can get the distance from the crank centerline to the bottom of the cradle for reference.

I did the Dodge mount thing, and that gets the pan even with the bottom of the cradle. The tranny is almost sitting on the LH side of the cradle, so getting it any lower will take some cradle modification. If it's too low, the axles will hit the cradle when the suspension is fully extended (car jacked up), and that could damage the seal and/or case.

If all of that is addressed, you could kick the pan out towards the front of the car, or make it the same depth all the way across. If money is no object, you could go dry sump...

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1986 SE Aero coupe.

3.4 DOHC swap is complete and running, now just have to finish the rest of the car...

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: The F40 case is much lower where it hangs over the cradle so it will further limit your ability to lower the drivetrain. On my LS4/F40 swap here is the available clearance I have with the stock oil pan being nearly flush to the bottom of the cradle (the drain plug is below the cradle). I can get the distance from the crank centerline to the bottom of the cradle for reference.

Great picture, thanks! Looks like it would take some serious re-engineering to deal with the lateral mount with the F40. With all I want to accomplish with this, I would probably be better off with a Team321 IRS longitudinal engine setup.

Neil