subframes questions, gurus please
 

Hey guys...i got complete suspension done on my 87 TII and want to buy 89 convertible.....could i swap all my parts from 87 TII to that 89 convertible body ?

I mean all (complete rear and front subframes with control arms, coilovers, sway bars, motor, transmission, rear end) ?

What fits and what not ? I already worked only on S4 cars and got shitload of S4 parts, but nothing from S5 so i can`t measure and compare it....

thanks in advance

Don't swap the front subframe, it isn't worth the hassle... not that it's hard, just that there is no difference. Just swap the control arms, (the early ones are better because they have replaceable balljoints) swaybars/mounts, (the end connectors on the series IV and V are different, they have to match the control arms) and coilovers. ALL of the other parts are the same... but the 'vert has an extra crossmember under it.

Swap the entire rear subframe... easy swap. I could easily do all this by myself in a day. Only 7 bolts + the shock mounts and brake calipers.

Support the car on jackstands...
The brakes are the same (at least on the US 'verts) so just remove the caliper and hang it up out of the way, remove the struts, support the "pumpkin" of the differential with a big floor jack, and use a couple smaller jacks on the front "corners" of the subframe.

Remove the 2 nuts on the differential "ear" mounts, the bolt through the camber rod, the 2 bolts (or is it nuts? I forgot) that hold the little metal brackets over the front subframe mounts, and the 2 nuts on the studs through the front subframe mounts. Lower it with the jacks... repeat on the other car... and installation is the reverse of removal.

Brad

p.s. the rear swaybar on the convertible is smaller, but the front is the same. Use caution with your swaybar selection- the convertible has a slight rearward weight bias, using the TII rear swaybar MIGHT cause it to oversteer. I have it on mine, and don't have a problem, but it IS more "tail happy."

Brad

i don`t see reason why i should not swap whole subframe, its absoultely easiest way for me....

and rear subframe same....

http://rx7cz.net/photos/works22/

http://rx7cz.net/photos/works23/

rx7_ragtop,

Good to know. Voted this thread a 5