Swapping A-Arms

[Polygon]

o, I've got an 89' GTC. Right now it has the factory K-frame and A-arms. I'm getting a tubular K-frame from Brian and I'm thinking of switching to the cast A-arms.

So, what else would I need to swap when going from the stamped dual pivot to the cast arms?

[Lotashelbys]

Well to be "correct" you should swap out to the 91+ spindles and calipers and brackets. You could run your 89 stuff but the 91+ A arms will add caster by moving the wheels forward in the wheel wells.

[turbovanman²]

You'll need the 91+ sway bar as well.

[GLHNSLHT2]

Did Brian ever get a sway bar working in the tubular kframe?

[Polygon]

Well to be "correct" you should swap out to the 91+ spindles and calipers and brackets. You could run your 89 stuff but the 91+ A arms will add caster by moving the wheels forward in the wheel wells.

So, I would need the A-arms, new ball joints, and 91' spindles? And if I decide to, the 91' calipers.

Also, what about the wheel bearings? My wheels bearings are brand new in the current spindles. Can I swap them over, or will I need new wheel bearings?

You'll need the 91+ sway bar as well.

Did Brian ever get a sway bar working in the tubular kframe?

Nope, no provisions for a sway bar.

[turbovanman²]

If you have bolt in bearings, then they work with the 91+ stuff.

Sway bar, maybe just add mounts?

[Polygon]

Cool, I didn't want to have to get new bearings, but I actually wanted to get new ball joints. As far as the sway bar is concerned, everybody has told me it's fine without them as long as the springs are stiff enough.

[turbovanman²]

Cool, I didn't want to have to get new bearings, but I actually wanted to get new ball joints. As far as the sway bar is concerned, everybody has told me it's fine without them as long as the springs are stiff enough.

I would tend to disagree with that as every car/situation is different but if your using one, you'll find out,

[Polygon]

I would tend to disagree with that as every car/situation is different but if your using one, you'll find out,

Yeah, and I figured that I could always fabricate something in if I needed to.

[GLHNSLHT2]

Stiff springs ruin ride and ultimate grip. You want stiff enough to have control and not bottom out over bumps but not so stiff you're just skittering off the road. Sway bars allow you to run softer springs and not have the car roll uncontrollably from side to side.

[Polygon]

Yeah, I know what a sway bar does and how it works. I was very concerned about this when deciding on if I wanted to buy one of the tubular K-frames or not. However, more than a few people reassured me about it not having one. Some of them even auto-x with it. I suggest you check out his thread about them in the General Vendor area if you're interested. But, like I said, if I feel it needs one I'll find a way to put it in.

[Polygon]

I was doing some more looking on the 91' brakes and I was wondering if anyone had the dimensions for the rotors. Every place I'm looking at rotors seems to think there is no difference between the 89' and the 91' rotors.

[rbryant]

I was doing some more looking on the 91' brakes and I was wondering if anyone had the dimensions for the rotors. Every place I'm looking at rotors seems to think there is no difference between the 89' and the 91' rotors.

The 89 and 91+ 11" rotors are the same.



-Rich

[Polygon]

Are the rear rotors the same as well?

[86seeS]

Yes rears are the same also. Im doing the same swap you are and also gathering parts

[Polygon]

So, what's the difference between the 89' and 91' big brakes? Bigger calipers that allow for larger pads?

[86seeS]

I belive so I got all my stuff from an 89 shelby daytona ags so it had 11in front & rear and both vented

[Polygon]

Yep, mines an AGS GTC too.

[rbryant]

So, what's the difference between the 89' and 91' big brakes? Bigger calipers that allow for larger pads?

The calipers are the same size piston on the 89 and 91 brakes. They just connect differently and take different pads. The 89 stuff has a bunch of external spring steel pieces that hold the pads in so they add more hardware and make brake changes slightly more of a pain IMO.

-Rich

[Polygon]

I see. I thought they were some how better brakes.