OK, I have had trouble and no trouble putting this together. The kit fit nicely and I absolutely love it. Problem is I have a LS1 going in and the rack itself sits about 1/2" too high for my liking.

I am contemplating using a 1/2" chunk of steel on each side of the crossmember where it attaches to the frame and use longer bolts. This will essentially lower the entire system with the exception of the rear link thingies.

the argument I am faced is how will this effect the entire picture. I figure it will make the car itself feel like it is riding taller but I want to know other effects. I can use my coilovers to bring the car down a bit too if it gets up high.

At this time I have camber issues in that the car sits like this \----/ even with the motor in. I have the suspension all the way up till I can get the fenders rolled. I assume that by lowering the crossmemebr and rack this will actually straighten out the wheels by nature. Please correct me if I am wrong here.

Anyway at this time the car sits in the parking lot with the LS1 and T56 inside it but not attached as I ran out of funds to finish the project. In about two weeks I can get started again and finish it up quickly.

also, since I had cut the steering bar thingy already I assume I need a new one since the distance between the rack and column will be increased a bit.

Also Sam, I figured out the big brake problem and you were right the spacers were attached Still need to order those springs unless I go forward with this mod since the 5" will help me more here


Thank you for comments questions or answers. I am doing the most unique build I can and can't wait to be able to say I am the only LS running the Respeed kit.

-Shawn

 

Hi Shawn

Adding that 1/2" spacer in between the frame and cross member will change suspension geometry. By how much I'm not sure, but your camber would certainly change quite a bit.

Also the other issues that comes up, is I'm not sure if you can still connect the rear lower control arm that comes in the kit anymore with it as such. Its meant to be used in the same hole the lower control arm sits in.

Hope that helps your thoughts

Sam

 

I cant be of much help but do you have a build thread? I would love to follow it.

I pulled the 13B this weekend and picked up a 6 speed 99 Camaro donor car. I am going the 2nd gen front subframe route but would be interested in seeing your mounting solutions and how the trans ends up.

So far with the sale of my motor/trans/megasquirt combo (which is going in a badass FC suspended Tube Frame MG Midget) I am break even investment wise so far. I am hoping to do the rest of the swap for under $1,000 but need to save up for a bit before jumping in.

Good luck!

-Greg

 

Assuming the R/P kit still has the various holes in the cross member to choose from for the control arm to mount to you could just move it up a hole or two, then it would line up with the rear arm.
The downside then though is that the steering rack would not be lined up the same, not sure what effect that would have though, might be minimal.
I'm curious to see how you went about mounting the LS in there, got any pics?

 

Yeah, if the steering rack aligns differently, you will probably have some bump steer issues and change in the scrub radius.