ive been thinking of swapping a a-body 8.5 to my regal,so is it really as easy as putting a new set of upper controll arms in or is there more to it?
If your thinking about using an "A" body rearend under your Regal why not step up to a 12 bolt instead? I used a 1970 Monte Carlo one under a 78 Malibu (same as a Regal) and used the SSM (South Side Machine Bars) while doing so. They are out of business now I think but you should be able to find some on E bay. I think the kit number was 1328 if I remember correctly and was the same number if you used the "A" body 10 bolt as well. In my case the 12 bolt was too wide so I used a 5.5" (backspace) wheel 8" wide so I could fit a 275-60-15 tire. If using the SSM kit there is some welding (brackets) required for the lower control arm (axle) point and the lower coil spring cups and shock mounts (lower) must also be moved and re-welded. There may other companies that provide bars for this swap but I'm only familar with the SSM ones. I have also heard/seen people use the stock upper control arms to put an A" body rear end under a "G" body but everyone I ever seen was a bound-up mess because the angles were not correct. I'm sure someone will say they used the stock stuff and it works perfect so you make up your own mind.
I don't understand the spring pearch thing???? I had an Olds 8.2 in my 84 Cutlass... fit great, used stock arms (there's just enough flex to line up the lowers), uppers were fine. no cutting/welding requiredo No: Then took it out and put it in my old 72 GS. On that one I used SSM lowers (they can still be had at Summitt under the name Lakewood), but again... I didn't have to do a thing to the pearches. Both cars were daily drivers, with ALOT of passes (lived 45min away from Stanton)... no issues at all. GS ran low 12's and a couple high 11's with that rear. You'll have to roll the fenders, or get custom wheels to offset the extra inch on each side. But I liked it better than the GN 8.5 I have now as it's hitting the frame with 275/60's :af: Good Luck:TU:
i think umi performance makes swap bars i used southside machine ,uppers lowers and spring pads/shock mount kits without the kit the springs and shock lined up poorly for launching and pinion angle is not good with stock uppers
Try to find a rear out of a 84 to 87 Grand National or a T-type 86 to 87, they have the 8.5 rear in them and will bolt right in. Those rears are strong, I still run one in my car, I put c-clip eliminators and eaton posi and Moser axles, and it went 9.64 at 140.11 .... 1.41 60', it held up to the trans brake and leaving at 25 lbs of boost!!! with the stock 3.42 gears!!! See picture in Avatar...The pinion is the same diameter as the GM 12 bolt
its about price really,for me itd be cheaper to swap a in an a body 8.5 than a g body 8.5. and really 8.5 should be all i need, i dont plan to put that much power to the rear end.............. yet!! :Brow:
Also later year Hurst Olds have 8 1/2 rear with 3.73 gears and 2004R trans. Make sure it has 8 1/2 not 7 1/2, easy ID by 90 degree pumpkin corners not 45 degree points.
