1980 Sunbird turbo 4.3

[Rowdy Mclaughlin]

Hi Im new here with a new to me 1980 Sunbird. It is a 4.3 v6 with a turbo and runs on E85. I ran it at the dragstrip the first time last week and it went 11.89 at 131mph. I was suprised how straight it went without subframe connectors and a beefed up 7.5" rear. It wouldnt leave on boost so that is why the ET is so slow compared to the mph. Anyone know of a way to get a better rear under these cars without spending $4k+ on a back half and rear? I bought an 8.8 out of an Explorer prematurely and have found out how expenisve it will be to put it under the car...having to 4 link it and all.

Thanks

[Racin Jason]

Welcome. I believe i seen that car on here before. Can't remember his name tho. You'll find lots of info and good people here.

[Fasterthansome]

Im looking for a reasonably priced way to put a stronger rear in my 80 Monza with or without the torque arm, under $2k total would be nice!

I would think you could do a well built torque arm 8.5 10 bolt for well under 2k.

[Rowdy Mclaughlin]

I would think you could do a well built torque arm 8.5 10 bolt for under 2k.

I thought so too but there is no way to attach the torque arm mount to the 8.5....been told that by ALOT of people with more experience than me. Welding to the cast iron center is a bad juju evidently. I wish I could, I have a spooled 8.5 in a turbo big block car that is probably 800 pounds heavier than this Sunbird and it holds up fine, they are super stout.

[monzajer]

Welcome Rowdy, as said already, many friendly and knowledgeable peeps here. I asked about that car on the other thread "An old friend...turbo..." I fairly sure that is the same car from one of our members.

As far as the rear end is concerned you are only limited to your imagination...OK and your wallet, but you know what I mean. When there is a will there is a way. And by the way, some of the guys will chime for sure. Monzaz, Jim, is very knowledgeable about rear ends. Give him a shout and he can help.

OK, now,......wait for it......wait for it.......




Have fun and be good.


cheers jer

[Roccosvega]

Hey Welcome Rowdy, I remember that car glad to see it again. If you could post some pics of the 7.5 currently under the car
so we can get a good look at how its set up now I'm sure you will get lots of feed back on ways to get the job done.

Robert

[Rowdy Mclaughlin]

Thanks guys! It is a standard 7.5" with torque arm for that year. I can get some pics once it stops raining here tomorrow. I talked to Monzaz, Quick Performance, S&W racecars, Currie and someone else I cant remember, no one has a definitive way to bolt a different rear into these torque arm rears. I pmed a few race car Monzas on racing junk asking how they are set up, everyone has four links or ladder bars. Ive searched on here, I dont think Ive found anyone who has successfully used the torque arm with a different rear, I know Monzaz did a Moser 12 bolt with torque arm for a guy but it was well over $2k. I would like a 4 link setup but that pretty much requires a back half, or might as well since its lots of chopping, so there goes the total price to way over $4k installed. If I was to do it myself its still over $3k probably. Argh!!! I dont feel like it is real safe with the 7.5 that is in it, feel like Im riding on top of a grenade going down the track! Thanks for the ideas!

[Roccosvega]

I know a torque arm can be fabbed on a ford 9" rear but its still a lot of fab work to make it happen.
Any time you start making serious power in a H Body fab work follows.
BTW if your going that fast with stock wheel wells that's pretty good.

Robert

[Kenova]

I would say "Go for the 12 bolt".
It may seem expensive up front, but once it's in there you will have an indestructible rear axle (for such a light car) along with the piece of mind and low maintenance that goes with it.

Ken

[Rowdy Mclaughlin]

The 12 bolt would wind up costing at least $3k once done with the panhard bar and torque arms being different and taking some fabbing on their own. Quick Performance has a Camaro torque arm 9 inch you could do for about $1500, but still have to do custom torque arm and panhard bar. There is no way to do it for under $2k unless you can do chassis work yourself I guess, and $2k would still be tight.

[72 SS PNL]

id upgrade from the 7.5 to the 7.625 internals and 28 spline S10 axles , it will atleast be stronger and take a little more abuse that way , since you can run better/stronger parts

[Fasterthansome]

I would think you could do a well built torque arm 8.5 10 bolt for under 2k.

I thought so too but there is no way to attach the torque arm mount to the 8.5....been told that by ALOT of people with more experience than me. Welding to the cast iron center is a bad juju evidently. I wish I could, I have a spooled 8.5 in a turbo big block car that is probably 800 pounds heavier than this Sunbird and it holds up fine, they are super stout.

I have a GM 8.2 10 bolt in mine with with a Torque arm. There's also two local 90's Camaros running 8.5 10 bolts we put in them with Torque arms.

[Roccosvega]

I have a GM 8.2 10 bolt in mine with with a Torque arm. There's also two local 90's Camaros running 8.5 10 bolts we put in them with Torque arms.[/quote]

I like the thought of a 8.5 with a torque arm for my vega just haven't seen any set up well enough to were I would attempt it.
No doubt it can be done and I would really like to see pic's of how your's was executed.I saw vid's of your car run no doubt
you have a well set up rear end in your car.

Robert

[Kenova]

I suspect I'm not the only one that would like to see pictures of how the torque arms are mounted to the 8.5 rears.

Ken

[Fasterthansome]

These pics are bad but you get the idea.




Theres tubes run through the webbing on the side of the housing and welded to the webbing.
This was originally set up with the factory torque arm but now has a home made bracket and torque arm.