I have a 1979 shell that I want to use for my TII swap. Is a 84-85 shell better and why? I would like info on weight difference and info on the rear links, I hear they are 20mm lower or something. Thanks.

btw: I will be puting gsl-se front end and rear end on the 79 body.

 

I'm putting a TII into a SA chassis right now.

I would like to know that info myself.

 

heh, If I remember correctly I think the 84-85 gls-se shells are lighter and steer better because of lowered rear links. I think the older sa's are heavier and steer diferently. I remember some people saying theres not much diference and some that says there is alot. Any feedback is great.

 

I am putting a tII motor in a 82 "S", I dont know how much it weighs but it cant be much, the car has NOTHING.

Manuel window, steering and mirrors. No AC, nothin.

 

well i'm not an exspert on thease cars nor have any cradability but i would think that a 84-85 GSL-SE would be the ideal car to swap the Tll engine cause it was allready an FI car to begin with and your just updateing the 13 thats allready in there

but what do i know

 

The GSL-SE would be the easiest to swap in also since it comes with a lot of the stuff you need as well for the TII conversion.

 

well looky there i'm not the only one that thinks this... cool!

 

gslse shell is easy swap but is heavier, gslse wheight about 2500 pound stock with the turbo and everything on it add about 100 more. while the SA only whieghts 2200 pounds

 

yeh, too put the 13bt in my motor, I needed a GSL SE front cover, oil pan and pickup. as well as a Racingbeat 12a to 13b conversion engine mount for the front.

but I have the lighter car. 300 lbs is a lot when its a 12% reduction is weight.

The SE is much easier to do the swap as far as parts go, but my engine bay is super clean. I love how it looks.

 

Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmm Bitch, 2000 posts.

 

Im doing the complete deal, Standalone everything, ported, Big turbo, fmic, everything front-back new. I have a SA body right now thats in pretty good shape. the unibody frame rails are striaght with no dents from people jacking. Evertything is mint everywere. I have already converted the SA wiring harness into a FB Harness so it has the newer engine in it with complete FB interior. The bumpers are still SA but will be replaced by body kit. So this is what I want to use for my shell. I have a gsl-se front end and rear end that I will sandblast and paint and put new brakes, suspension, bushings etc. I have the 91 TII motor S5. I will be rebuilding this with probably a streetport for starters ( I want a bridge port, but this will be my summer daily driver.). New rotors and housings. Custom everything. Interior, Exterior everything. Anyways Im chewing on alot right now, Im expecting this to take like a year and a half because of money issues but I will hopefully post some pics when im finished. Also since there will not be any stock stuff left I dont really need to start with a gsl-se. leme know what you guys think about the shell. So far I have one guy that says the SA shells are lighter. I think thats the compromise the SA's are lighter but the FB's particularily 84-85 steer better (less oversteer). If this is wrong please let me know. Ive owned FB's before 80-83 fb's and I think I notice abit difference between the SA and the FB, but I never had both cars in mint condition so its really hard to say. At this point im going to do it in a SA unless I hear some good reasons to go get a FB shell.

 

Post *****

 

Personally I would do the -SE, it has the better suspension, bigger brakes all around, and your choice of wheels when your ready. It also has the beefier rear end and a high flow fuel pump (if needed). Parts are a little harder but well worth it for the extra 300 lbs. IMO

 

If you plan to have it lower than stock ride height you are better off with the series 1 or 2 shell. The mounts in the 84-85 are actually make it handle worse when you lower the car. At least that is my experience. But if you plan to get rid of the Watts, it is a moot point. Only advantage of a SE is the larger fuel lines and pump which are easy enough to replace and the body is much heavier. I say go with whatever is lighter.

 

Yeah, I'm looking for a gslse for my swap but lately I was thinking it may be easier (wiring wise) to use a non se. I will be using a Microtech so it will have it's own harness. I just remember trying to separate the se engine harness from the rest of the electronics (headlights ect). The engine harness seemed to be intertwined with all the other electronics so I just gave up.

 

Ya I will be lowering it with the tokico shocks/springs. And I will have the bigger brakes and rims since im swapping to the gsl-se rear/front ends. So I gess the SA will be the best car to use. Thanks for all the info guys.

 

Any pics of your engine bay?

 

you might want to check out www.autospeed.com its a online mag with lots of 1st gen turbos featured. from looking it seems most 79' and 80's.