Lexus SC300/SC400 front suspension
No, I haven't forgotten this. But I did locate a gent (Chris) on the internet that IS doing this swap in a T-bird. He sent me some info and pics:
"My Thunderbird is unit-body, and the lower frame rails curve upward where the front suspension mounts to, so I had to weld in pads for the crossmember to rest on. The aluminum crossmember's mounting bolt pattern is 31" wide, 6 1/4" long, and centers up well on most frame rail widths. You may not have as much of a problem with a Buick chassis. I also fabricated custom rear mounts for the lower control arms, and will weld in a second crossmember once the engine is in and I can measure clearances. The Buick engine should play well with the SC300 crossmember, as the engine is rear sump, and the steering rack is ahead of the axle. Best parts are, this is the same IFS as the Toyota Supra, so performance parts are available, and brakes from the '95+ Lexus LS400 are also a direct swap. So you can choose between massive brakes, or slightly more massive brakes! I'm using the LS400 brakes, the 4 piston calipers are aluminum. The Supra twin turbo calipers are only a little larger, and iron. Neither fit behind 15" wheels. Ford/Toyota bolt pattern, 5 on 114.3mm (4-1/2"). I'm running 3/4" spacers to match the Toyota wheel offset AND the Thunderbird track width, 59.8" SC300, mine 62". I also made my own 'coilovers' using some KYB gas-a-just shocks I got a great deal on, and some 12" 500 pound rate springs from Speedway Motors, and made my own strut tops to adapt them to my stock shock towers. If I later want to upgrade to Bilsteins, there's a thread in the Supra forums on how to adapt them to the Supra/SC300. Just Google."
Now THAT'S Hot Roddin'! I hope he'll swing by.
Greg
No, I haven't forgotten this. But I did locate a gent (Chris) on the internet that IS doing this swap in a T-bird. He sent me some info and pics:
"My Thunderbird is unit-body, and the lower frame rails curve upward where the front suspension mounts to, so I had to weld in pads for the crossmember to rest on. The aluminum crossmember's mounting bolt pattern is 31" wide, 6 1/4" long, and centers up well on most frame rail widths. You may not have as much of a problem with a Buick chassis. I also fabricated custom rear mounts for the lower control arms, and will weld in a second crossmember once the engine is in and I can measure clearances. The Buick engine should play well with the SC300 crossmember, as the engine is rear sump, and the steering rack is ahead of the axle. Best parts are, this is the same IFS as the Toyota Supra, so performance parts are available, and brakes from the '95+ Lexus LS400 are also a direct swap. So you can choose between massive brakes, or slightly more massive brakes! I'm using the LS400 brakes, the 4 piston calipers are aluminum. The Supra twin turbo calipers are only a little larger, and iron. Neither fit behind 15" wheels. Ford/Toyota bolt pattern, 5 on 114.3mm (4-1/2"). I'm running 3/4" spacers to match the Toyota wheel offset AND the Thunderbird track width, 59.8" SC300, mine 62". I also made my own 'coilovers' using some KYB gas-a-just shocks I got a great deal on, and some 12" 500 pound rate springs from Speedway Motors, and made my own strut tops to adapt them to my stock shock towers. If I later want to upgrade to Bilsteins, there's a thread in the Supra forums on how to adapt them to the Supra/SC300. Just Google."
Now THAT'S Hot Roddin'! I hope he'll swing by.
Greg