Schwartz chassis for 82-92 Camaros?

[BADcarma]

I made an inquiry with Dale at Schwartz Performance and he advised that they looked into a 3rd gen chassis but it required lots of cutting and welding on the floor and then there was the fact that not many 3rd gen guys would be willing to pay the price for the chassis. However, I thought that it might be a good way to upgrade and get some of that wow factor and solve some of the drawbacks of the hatchback design. I have seen builds where the owners wanted IRS or corvette based front suspensions and a chassis would make having those options easier. When I started my build my budget didn’t allow for a “one off” piece but now it could be an option. I also agree with you guys on the availability and price of LSX swap parts. I’m going to run a 418ci LS3 and choices for the exhaust system are pretty slim.

This is what happens when you’re separated from your pride and joy for an extended period of time and have access to forums where guys like (our hero) Mark Stielow show off all the cool technology and creative innovations that keep us excited about the hobby. I’m committing the cardinal sin…I’m dreaming of all the cool ways that I could be building my car instead of following the original plan. I’ll probably be perfectly happy with the performance of my car when it’s done but we all know what it is like to want something different and cool.

[GregWeld]

Well -- that IS what this hobby is all about.... Livin' the dream. I'm all for it and whatever that "dream" is - a guy should go for it if he can.

[214Chevy]

Guys, y'all had to start the convo about IROC's and Mustangs, huh? If I had cash laying around and wanted 2 cars I could have and fix up to original standards and perfection. I'm talking about completely, showroom stock...they would be the 1984 IROC with T-tops and a 1992 Mustang GT. I love those cars. Those are more my era than 60's and 70's. I mean of course my passion is the classic 69 Camaro, 72 Chevelle, 61 Impala and a few others, but I wasn't alive to see all those cars rolling down the street. As far as the 84 IROC and 92 Mustang GT, I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Musclerodz]

You would not get enough benfit from a chassis swap like that. Factory geometry was not bad and they are already well proven in SCCA. Of all the cars I want back is my 90 IROC and will have another as soon as I find the right car.

[DaleBird82]

The 3rd gens HAVE proven themselves time and time again... BUT it's all relative. 1982 technology isn't as good as it was in the 90's. If you lower a 3rd gen to get a great stance, you have suspension limitations and bump steer problems.

"Rybar" said that there will be a demand for such a thing, and i completely agree. I have owned my 1982 TA for 7 years now and it was my first car. I have mild suspension upgrades and a 4pt Autopower rollbar... and I can feel the car twist going up the driveway. No, I don't have subframe connectors, but it's still weak. Also my 5 year old paint job is already cracked at the top rear seam where the roof meets the rear pillar.
So while it may be 'good enough' for the cheaper guys, there is a lot of room for improvement.



-Dale Schwartz
Schwartz Performance Inc.

[badmatt]

What ever floats your boat I guess

Yes its doable but whole new floor would probably have to fabricated and it would work well. cost = 5 figures easy.

on the flip side.
all fully adjustable sphon/hawks/BMR suspension set up good shocks like Penske or Ohlins or JRI Kore3 C6 zo6 brake kit.
would probably put you right up there with a good after market chassis plus a cage to strengthen the whole deal up no whole new floor pan either. cost = 4 figures.

its all in what you want and how much money you want to spend.

point.


Matt

[LS1-IROC]

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle

Guys, y'all had to start the convo about IROC's and Mustangs, huh? If I had cash laying around and wanted 2 cars I could have and fix up to original standards and perfection. I'm talking about completely, showroom stock...they would be the 1984 IROC with T-tops and a 1992 Mustang GT. I love those cars. Those are more my era than 60's and 70's. I mean of course my passion is the classic 69 Camaro, 72 Chevelle, 61 Impala and a few others, but I wasn't alive to see all those cars rolling down the street. As far as the 84 IROC and 92 Mustang GT, I remember it like it was yesterday.

No such thing as an 84 IROC 85 was the first year

[Rybar]

Good discussion, I am a 4th gen Trans Am veteran before my 69 and I never saw too many people go away from bolting on parts to the stock style Torque arm suspension. Like others said, you can do a nice setup with any of those companies like BMR, Spohn, UMI etc and the prices of the parts are relatively cheap. One of my good friends does a lot of auto crossing his 4th gen and he says with the right bolt on parts he can spank C5's and C6's. He stresses brakes, tires and shocks are most important.

I always have my eye out for clean Fox body Mustangs and 91-92 Trans Am GTA's. Heck I almost bought a 91 GTA recently but found something else I love the cars from the 90's even the RX7's, Supras etc it was a fun time.

[214Chevy]

Originally Posted by LS1-IROC

No such thing as an 84 IROC 85 was the first year

My bad, a few people were driving 85's at the end on 84. So, I thought they were 84's. Hey, I was only 11 years old then and didn't know any better. LOL!! Nonetheless, I love them.

[LS1-IROC]

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle

My bad, a few people were driving 85's at the end on 84. So, I thought they were 84's. Hey, I was only 11 years old then and didn't know any better. LOL!! Nonetheless, I love them.

Haha...I was 11 years old as well! My IROC was built in April of 85...the cool thing about that is that the color, Artic White, wasn't introduced until mid year so they are fairly rare....I've only seen one other white 85 IROC.