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Topic: 81 vs 82 x-memeber

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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81 vs 82 x-memeber (1/11)
 5/26/09 12:47am
2tonevette1981
Former Member

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Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze


Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

Can anyone tell me when I change my 350 tranny to 700r4 if I use an 82 crossmember with the 700r4 will it bolt up without any modifications with the 700r4 on the 81 body.

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81 vs 82 x-memeber (2/11)
 5/26/09 1:54pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Hi Ed, I'm doing this very change over on the wifes '78. I bought the tranny from a C3VR member in Wash. and consulted with Joel (our resident trans. expert) to decide what parts to buy that were very necessary. I got the torque conv., drive shaft, cable and so on, but not the cross member (due to shipping costs). I'm assuming Joel must have convinced me that the difference was minor and could be easily adapted. If some one who knows for sure doesn't see this post, you might try a private message to Adams Apple. I'd be interested in hearing the results myself. Not sure if there is any info in the archives on the subject, but I'll look. Good luck.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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81 vs 82 x-memeber (3/11)
 5/26/09 2:05pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

I've already discussed this with Ed, and I have a trans I'm building for him. My theory on this is the x-members are prolly pretty close to the same, but the mount brackets for the '82 are prolly farther back on the frame than the earlier cars, since it would have been easier for GM to move those than to re-engineer a new x-member for that one year only. I have no proof of this...just a theory. I've never had the two x-members side/side for comparison, so I can' say for sure what the differences are, other than the '82 would have a larger area for the speedo gear housing...
I'm not sure either, if using an '82 x-member on an earlier car would work, or how much fabrication might be needed, if any....

Perhaps Dennis(dnv) has pics of the x-members on his car, as he is also swapping for the 700, but he bought his x-member from Bowtie Overdrives(I think)....


btw...as far as the speedo housing size difference, I have determined that I can shorten the 700 tailshaft about an inch, and you can use your original 350 tailhousing, with your original speedo gears, thus eliminating that as a hinderance on these swaps... No guessing as to what speedo gears you need for the 700, as the 350 gears and housing will bolt/slide right on. This also makes it so you don't have to cut the drivingshaft down as far, and you don't have to worry about the larger 700 speedo housing interfering with the x-member....
Adams' Apple2009-05-26 11:10:17

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Joel Adams
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81 vs 82 x-memeber (4/11)
 5/26/09 2:18pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Lots of good info Joel Thumbs Up, I'd better print this out.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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81 vs 82 x-memeber (5/11)
 6/4/09 8:53am
Madrider
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Robersonville, NC - USA

Vette(s):
76 stingray


Joined: 4/23/2009
Posts: 47

What are the advantages of swaping to the 700R?  Just the better mpg with O/D?  Is it really worth the extra $$?
81 vs 82 x-memeber (6/11)
 6/4/09 11:19am
2tonevette1981
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Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze


Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

Besides the better gas milage the 700r4 with the overdrive gear will decrease the cruising rpms on the motor at 70 mph from 2700 to 2000...easier on the motor. I do more highway cruising than town cruising. I am hoping with the lower rpms and a different exhaust system I will also get a quieter more enjoyable ride. I will let you know more when I get it finished.

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81 vs 82 x-memeber (7/11)
 6/4/09 1:19pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

BTW ya'll...Ed has done some research, and bought a few things for this swap. IF it all works out the way it appears it will, we will b posting some really neat info on how to get this swap done without a major pita, meaning crossmember mods, or buying an aftermarket crossmember...stay tuned!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


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             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

81 vs 82 x-memeber (8/11)
 6/4/09 2:21pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Excellent guys. I'm getting close to starting this very project on the wifes '78, so the timing couldn't be better. I'll wait to read your story. Thanks very much Joel, this will be great.

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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81 vs 82 x-memeber (9/11)
 6/5/09 12:16pm
rraider1
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Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion


Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

Sounds Great  I would like to this to my 77 She a driver and with the increased MPG I could drive her more often
81 vs 82 x-memeber (10/11)
 7/26/09 1:50am
2tonevette1981
Former Member

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Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze


Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

Ok tranny is in....here is the scoop....Tranny is from a 1984 camaro (rebuilt by Joel ) so it is fully hydrolic no need to add electric connectors, Bought the shifter convertor from shiftworks, real easy to convert, used the TV made easy cable from Bowtie overdrives again an easy conversion. Now for the part everyone wants to know about...the crossmember is from a 77 used with a caprice tailhousing the mounting slots on the x-member has to be entended one inch and you get a direct boltup. If you put the 3rd longbolt in you have to drill out the holes in the crossmember to get them to fit. Will have the driveshaft cut and balanced next week and should be driving by next weekend.
If anyone was DETAILS of any of the above send me a PM and I will call and tell you what you want to know. Easier than typing.


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81 vs 82 x-memeber (11/11)
 7/26/09 9:52am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Kewl deal, Ed!!
Sorry I missed your call last night...it was nappy time for me! Sleepy
Your message/question had something to do with the starter? There should be no reason to change, or even remove the starter or flywheel, so there shouldn't be an issue with that, unless there was a problem with them before.
I'll holler at-choo here shortly...


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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