Suspension for 1976 vega

Moderator: Moderators

Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby crazyman312 » Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:46 pm

i am building a 1976 vega with a 4.3L v6. i need to know if the suspension off a 1997 S10 will fit. Also if the rear end will fit. If you can give me any pointers as to building it with a V6 that would help also. Thank You
crazyman312
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:44 pm


Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby hammerdown7 » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:26 pm

Welcome to the site!

You can adapt the S10 spindles to the Vega a-arms by using ball joint conversion bushings or modifying the control arms for the S10 ball joints. The upper and lower a-arms from the S10 mount differently and would take extensive mods even if it was possible. A '76 Vega has a 6.5 torque arm rear axle. You could weld the mounting brackets from the Vega to the S10 rear axle but you would have to fabricate a mount for the torque arm to the axle. An easier method would be to find a Monza 7.5 axle, use 26 spline early S10 axle shafts or modify the 7.5 to use the 28 spline carrier and axle shafts.

Dick
User avatar
hammerdown7
 
Posts: 3805
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:53 pm
Location: Clawson, MI

1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby crazyman312 » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:21 pm

ok. i am planning on making the vega a 5 lug. So what year is the cut off for an s10 that would basically bolt up with little modification? here is some pics of the vega:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... ID=6494016

and one of the s10

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... ID=6493940
crazyman312
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:44 pm

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby NixVegaGT » Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:03 pm

I'm with Dick on the Monza 7.5" housing and swap in the insides from the S10. You have to get the pinion tuned down to match the monza bearings. I think Jim does this at JDrace.com. He's a fellow H-buddy. You'll need the Monza axle housing, Panard bar, and torque arm. Is the trans still in it? Is it stick?

It looks like you've got your work cut out for you. I noticed another Vega door in one of the pix. How many are there?

The fronts are a bit less complicated… sort of. The parts that swap are the spindles and brakes. You should grab that master cylinder while you are at it. OH you can swap in the rear drums too. No need for fabrication for the rear since you have the later chassis you'll have the panard bar mount. SO it's just the irritation of setting up a rear diff. The front you can use the Monza ball joints and get Bob Gumm's adaptors for the spindles or fabricate new mounts for the S10 ball joints. That's a little more complicated. There is a bunch of discussion on this topic in the "Best of"

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=23253&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
- Nic '73 Vega GT "DogBoxx" Batwing LS1
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2357894
User avatar
NixVegaGT
 
Posts: 2196
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:24 am
Location: Minnesota

1973 Chevrolet Vega GT

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby hammerdown7 » Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:16 pm

The S10 in the picture looks like a 4WD. If it is the rear axle shafts will be too long for the Monza 7.5 and the axle housing, if you put the Vega brackets on the S10, regular wheels will stick out of the wheel wells. The front S10 4WD spindles will not work.

Where are you located?

Dick
User avatar
hammerdown7
 
Posts: 3805
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:53 pm
Location: Clawson, MI

1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby NixVegaGT » Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:42 pm

Yeah you should roll a 2WD S10…
- Nic '73 Vega GT "DogBoxx" Batwing LS1
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2357894
User avatar
NixVegaGT
 
Posts: 2196
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:24 am
Location: Minnesota

1973 Chevrolet Vega GT

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby crazyman312 » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:12 pm

I am in Rhome, texas. The door i have two spares same color and everything. the S10 is 2wd. If we can find a aluminum cylinder head for the vega (found out the car is a 1977 btw) we are going to rebuild the Engine and use it. No tranny came with the car but it had the 2.3 2300 4 cylinder. I tried edelbrock they told me to call cosworth. they told me good like on trying to find one. If any of you guys know where i can get the head i will build the original motor with performance parts but if not i can buy a complete suspension and a 9 inch ford rear end out of a 1974 vega already modified for a V8 for 500 bucks.
crazyman312
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:44 pm

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby hammerdown7 » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:45 pm

There are Cosworth heads available but you will need more, a cam carrier, cams, pistons, possibly a crank (depending on whether you build a 2.0L or a 2.3L), intake system, exhaust header. If you are trying to do it inexpensively, the V8 is the way to go. Cosworths are not cheap to build.

How is the floor pan? Most cars that sit like that are rotted out.

Dick
User avatar
hammerdown7
 
Posts: 3805
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:53 pm
Location: Clawson, MI

1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby 283vega » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:51 am

I think that you can use the axles from 2wd s10's up to 1992.[Standard spline of 26.] Also there are 2 standard vega cylinder heads on craigs list, one rebuilt in NJ and the other in CO.They are steel not aluminum, that is normal for the vega 2.3
283 vega
70 corvette


Brian
User avatar
283vega
 
Posts: 707
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 1:36 pm

Re: Suspension for 1976 vega

Postby 283vega » Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:30 am

Hey crazy
That 74 9' rear while not have the torque arm mounts on the differential housing.They can be fab up if you really want to go that route.76 & 77 vegas had the monza suspension which had the torque arm to replace the upper control arms and a panhard bar to keep the rear centered.Panhard mounts while need to be added also,to both the chassi and the dif.
283 vega
70 corvette


Brian
User avatar
283vega
 
Posts: 707
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 1:36 pm


Return to Suspension, Steering, & Brakes Tech

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests