Leckenz34 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I've seen it done before on normal street car Z34's. They just used the frame from a 90's truck I believe and put the lumina body on it. I can't remember what truck though. For some reason, Sonoma pops in my head. I know it's a bit of work, but has anyone here done it? I would really love the ol' Z to be RWD and have a 350 or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 no one here has done it, though i think we have all dreamed about it. its just not practical. there was one for sale not too long ago that used to be a drag car. had no drivetrain, and they wanted $10k. and im sure places with inspections would be really picky about such a conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leckenz34 Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I ain't to worried about inspections, i work at a place that does them and as far as "never been done" this guy here claims to have a z34 with a 1998 Trans am chassis http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tB4DLdxUeJ4&feature=related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSI_MuNkY Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 And by the looks of it he has butchered the B pillar, you can see between it and the door... That is what you call a redneck hack job. If you want a RWD car, go buy a RWD car... converting a w-body is a waste of time and money IMHO I ain't to worried about inspections, i work at a place that does them Cause thats safe.... Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZacksZ34 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 IMO if you want v8 powerfor your lumina do a fwd powered v8 engine swap like something out of a oldsmobile aurora or a caddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 ive seen it done least least 2 times not including that 10k lumina. if you have the money to spend, i say go for it. otherwise, yeah - youre better off buying a rwd car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpchris Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 a RWD swap isnt that hard. You dont have to drop your body on a rwd chassis... Just make brackets for a rwd front subframe, open up the exhaust tunnel to fit a trans. Then for the rear you will have to build some some stronger rails with a bunch of supports but not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacmaniac94 Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I ain't to worried about inspections, i work at a place that does them and as far as "never been done" this guy here claims to have a z34 with a 1998 Trans am chassis http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tB4DLdxUeJ4&feature=related that back window looks horrendous! why not just do the 3.8 super swap? not that many out there in the lumina... or just twin turbo the 34, that would be sweet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old442man Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I've seen it done before on normal street car Z34's. They just used the frame from a 90's truck I believe and put the lumina body on it. I can't remember what truck though. For some reason, Sonoma pops in my head. I know it's a bit of work, but has anyone here done it? I would really love the ol' Z to be RWD and have a 350 or something... I've always wanted to do that to a Cutlass, of course it makes more sense financially to buy a rwd car but then you'd be like everyone else. I really like the interior layout in my Cutlass but I wish I could whip shitties like my brother in his 87 Z28.......Yeah I know where you're comin from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Why not FIERO it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I've only ever fantasized about this (never going to do it), but it looked to me like the absolute easiest way to accomplish this is with a C5 Corvette drivetrain. You'd have to lengthen the driveshaft and driveshaft tube, but it's even already an IRS setup and far less body/frame mods than using a truck chassis. It also reduces the modifications to the unibody so therefore hopefully reducing any negative impact on crash safety. It would probably be easiest to make a custom front/rear subframe and use most of the existing W-body suspension, on the front at least. There just happens to be one for sale on eBay too! Take a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I know some of you love your cars, but damn. That drivetrain is $10k and the cost of putting it together will be more than just buying a C5 corvette. For what purpose? "I have a V8 RWD Lumina!" Sorry man, but IMO its not worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Actually, that was a C6 drivetrain so it probably is a lot more than a C5 would go for, but yeah, I agree it's not worth it. Even the ghetto way of using a truck chassis is not worth the amount of work involved. You have to really have a hard-on for your Lumina to go to the trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euro Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 IMO if you want v8 powerfor your lumina do a fwd powered v8 engine swap like something out of a oldsmobile aurora or a caddy That's just as much of a waste of money as it would be converting it to RWD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old442man Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I don't know if this is a c-5 setup or not but it's cheaper and complete. http://www.erepairables.com/vehicle_information/790475/1996_chevrolet_corvette.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpchris Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I would NOT use a c5 or c6 corvette setup... you would still have to mod the trans tunnel. If you are capable of strengthening the rear end then you are capable of widening the exhaust tunnel to fit a transmission.. Using a corvette drivetrain is just stupid.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 Search for posts by "soccrplayrgtp" or find his cardomain page. He converted his 1st gen GP to rwd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShockTherapy Posted August 23, 2008 Report Share Posted August 23, 2008 Search for posts by "soccrplayrgtp" or find his cardomain page. He converted his 1st gen GP to rwd... N* V-8, 6-speed manual RWD to be exact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spilly Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 I don't know if this is a c-5 setup or not but it's cheaper and complete. http://www.erepairables.com/vehicle_information/790475/1996_chevrolet_corvette.html Thats a C4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake91 Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 that would be sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Congrats on bumping a worthless almost-2 month old thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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