4 lug questions

[Elitedragon27]

I am wanting to try and keep the original look of the car but it has a 4 lug bolt pattern. I have changed the motor to a 327 v8 and it seams most people are upgrading to an s10 bolt pattern. Any ideas on how to ither keep the 4 pattern or get a system that will allow me to still use car rims.

[cjbiagi]

Not exactly sure what you mean but the S10 bolt pattern is the same as most GM cars, 5 x 4 3/4". So upgrading to the s10 pattern will allow you to use most any GM car wheel. That's the main reason people do the swap.

[Elitedragon27]

The lug pattern isn't the problem with the s10 parts. Unless I got an off unit the hubs on the one I got wont fit rims that I have for a car.

[cosvega76]

I'm assuming that you have a Vega. If so, probably the best solution to keep the 4-lug wheels is to upgrade to the vented Monza rotors with the larger-piston Monza calipers. You can swap in the Monza spindles, or the Vega spindles can be used with some careful grinding for clearance. I would also recommend upgrading to the '76-and-later Monza 9.5"x2" rear drum brakes, as well. Naturally, you'll have to use the Monza master cylinder and proportioning valve, as well.

I doubt that there is enough clearance on the S-10 rotors to redrill them to the 4- lug pattern, and I doubt the 13-inch wheels will clear the S-10 calipers.


Chuck

[hammerdown7]

On the wheels you have, would they happen to have a 4 bolt pattern that is not a four inch pattern? Some pictures would help explain.
Dick

[NVEGAR8D]

Hi,
I'm thinking you are probably looking at all the parts necessary from a later monza as you get larger calipers , and vented rotors for the front and a 7.5 rear and 2 inch shoes on them so you get to keep the 4 on 4 pattern. you can also get a posi .just make sure it's a v8 car for these parts.that's what i did for now.
nick75vega

[cjbiagi]

All the later (76 and up) Monza's had the vented rotors and larger rear brakes and posi was an option no matter what engine was ordered.

[NVEGAR8D]

Hi,
Thanks Clyde. Good to know.
nick75vega

[Elitedragon27]

i have a 75 Starfire and a 75 monza that im using for some parts. the starfire came with posi rear. If the oroginal parts can handle close to 400 HP i would prefer to keep the original appearance.

[cjbiagi]

Make sure the rearend is a 7.5 in the Starfire (it should be) by looking at how the torque arm mounts to it. If it uses two long bolts that go through the rearend you have a 7.5. If it uses 4 shorter bolts, two on top and two on bottom it's a 6.5. With a true 400hp you are at the limit as to what a 7.5" can handle though. At that point it depends upon how much traction you can actually get and how you drive it and what your intended use is. Usually with that much hp in a H body you are going to have more wheel spin than anything, if you put some really big sticky tires on there and can actually hook up you are probably pushing it. I am sure Jim (Monzaz) can direct you more since he does rearend work for a living.

[hammerdown7]

The other thing to think about is that the ring & pinion in the Starfire will probably be a 2.56:1 ratio. To go to a lower ratio than 3.08 you will need after-market 'thick' gears to get to a 3.42 or lower and still use the posi you have. Like Clyde said Jim is the expert.

Dick

[Monza Harry]

Maybe he has a set of 5 lug wheels from a front wheel drive 5 on 110mm Harry

[monzaz]

Elitedragon27 - I think we are all confused what it is your trying to do?

YOU say you have rims from a monza or starfire that will not fit ANOTHER H-body that will not fit? Or what?

The 4 lug with stock set-up is niot the problem for power. If you have a posi unit and a stock rear it will all be good to handle your power for the street. ALWAYS.

Things you need to be concerned about- AGE of the rear end parts such as bearings and posi unit wear on the cones again age. After 40 years you really should not just throw a rear in under a car that has torque and horse power of that amount. The rear will hold BUT you need to give it the best chance to live by treating it to new mechanical parts and checking existing parts out.

Another reason people upgrade or swap to s-10 parts on the front and rear is the PARTS are a lot easier to find for front brakes and are slightly larger rotor for better stopping
5 lug conversion gets you a LARGE choice in rims and tires that are much more available than the 13" tires. Especially for performance driving. Jim

[Elitedragon27]

The problem I have is with the s10 system the hub is a larger diameter. So placing rims from a car won't fit onto a truck hub. I was looking at my rear housing and it is a 10" housing so I'm thinking ill just upgrade parts and possable look at modern car systems that I might be able to use vs changing over to the truck

[monzaz]

Just can not follow the conversation as you are not explaining what you have and the areas your terms are not the same.
HUB on the s-10 is what? The axle shaft flange? Where the drum mounts to?

You can not fit a 4 lug rim on a 5 lug axle...

You never told us what size brake system your working with. 9.5 x 2 or the smaller 9 x 1.5 ??

Then you say you have a 10" housing?? What is 10 inch rear cover width or height? We label rears by the ring gear diameter. 6.5 7.5 etc.

There is NO other car rear that is this wide. And no 4 lug axles. Chevette maybe ...But that rear is far from an upgrade.

Can not help you further with out info we can sink our teeth into. Pictures are always best that say a thousand words with out need for a dictionary. Jim