Body differences for 1st gens?
 

Ok, I have a question... The more I look into it the more rust I'm finding on my GSL-SE, and I've been thinking... It may not be quicker, but given the cheapness of parts cars, would it almost be easier to swap all the good running gear on mine onto a rust free body?

This being said, what differences are there between the bodies of different years? I know they changed in interior for 84-85, but was that just plastic changes, or where there sheetmetal changes also? Any reason a 12a car would have any issues with the 13b running gear?

Anyone have a decent looking non running (even no engined) FB they need to dump?


Evil thoughts abounding.... (well, if I'm going to swap the running gear, why not swap a turboII in also, and why not this.. and why not that... Oh yeah, $$$) Damn.

Swap the drive train into the lighter 79 chassie. Start at the front of the motor and put in everything to the back tires. Then swap in the fronts for the better breaks plus easier to find wheels. *most* of the stuff is a bolt in swap. the engine mounts need reworked (RB and maztrix have adapters for them i think) the shifter needs moved forward on the tranny a few inches...but nothing major. It should be *relatively* easy ;)

Well, i think Directfreak has a 85 SE no engine/tranny that he want to get rid of look him up, He only wants $300 for it too. :) PM him and figure out a deal. :)

They changed the rear lower link mounting points for the '84-85 chassis. It is not a GSL-SE-only change - I'll gladly take pics of the '85 GSL and show that it's the same. (Does not affect swappability in any way)

I'll trust ya... I'm really not looking for a huge custom fab job. My car runs great, but the paint sucks, the fender is dented, and it's got some realy nice storage bin rust... If I just do a body swap it would probably cost less than fixing all the stupid little stuff, and I'd feel much better as I add more hi-po parts that the chassis won't fall apart.

So basically to keep it simple(est) I'd need an 84-85?

if you stuck with an 84-85, then you could really get away with just replacing the driveline.. with a 79-80 you would have to remember to swap the wiring harness (believe me, i wish i had done that), everything from the strut tops down to the breaks, rear end. there is not necessarily any custom fab work necessary, but there is a lot more stuff involved in the swap

Hey riffraf, what years did you swap from/to when you did yours?

i went from an 80 to a 79...
i really wish i still had that 80 though.. little differences , like the sunroof mechenism...

everything went fairly smooth durring the swap.. the only problem, was i really should have swapped the wiring harness then too.. now my altrinator does not work properly, gauges donot work right, all the electrics is just fucked up.... what ever you do, make sure that your engine bay harness and engine harness match.

my rear end was shot in the 80, so i did not swap that and now donot have a lsd or rear disk breaks.

Lets start a global abolishion of RUST, I hate it you hate it. Lets make them stop using salt on the roads and shit!

Oooops sorry got carried away there...

Well 79-80 had the toughest bumpers on them
81-85 the front fenders are the same and bumpers are the same...

Theres just so much stuff, anyhting in particular>?

the bumbers are one of the reasons that i wanted to stick with a SA when doing my body swap. i like the style of them over the second and third series. even though i like the thir series interior better.. plus they weigh less, and it would have been tough to fit my tranny into an FB. i think the whole in the tranny colum is large enough to fit an fb tranny in there with no problem.

I might just be willing to let my 1979, or 80 go(I would rather have a job, and keep them both:) ) I really wanted it to be an awesome auto-x car, but my mom is making(well not making me, but would like me too) me rebuild the engine in the van. So I figure I would let the 80 go, and just keep the parts I need:) So pm if your interested:) LATERZ, Andrew

where do you live, and what type of condition is it in?

well, uh, I live in texas. That sould do that:), if you still need more info, tell me:)LATERZ

yah. i doubt that it is nice enough to make me go out there to get it. right now i am going to stick with my 79 body, that is until i find a nother 80 that is tood good for me to pass up. the body swap was fun, but i donot really want to do it again any time soon

I want to find a GSL-SE, thats rusted to BFE and back, for my swap:) But I cant find any here in Texas. Wel, I am having severe second thoughts about getting rid of my cars(either one of them) Every time I am goin to sell them, I start felling bad about thinking it. You know the felling:) LATERZ