A Real Stumper -for 4th gen -miesters out there!

[sman]

Is it possible to mount those wrong though?

[Phantom409]

I think so.
It's just 4 holes for screws and the hole in the center for the axle tube.

[sman]

Huh? Youve lost me kyle? Im pretty sure mine only has 2 holes that hold the brackets to the rear. And im 90% sure those 2 holes arent on the other side.

[LS1Phoenix]

Observation, and this is just observing the two pictures and nothing about the technical specs - in the picture of the 94, the calipers are facing the rear of the car. On the 99, the calipers are facing the front of the car. Did you swap the calipers over or is this all the same?

Nice catch for sure!
Addin to this...I believe the calipers are also suppose to be centered on the wheel. On the 99 even though they are facing the right way, they are sitting up higher. Mine sit dead center facing the front of the car.

[Phantom409]

To hold the calipers yes but the plate that they mount to can go 180 and has 4 holes in it and can be mounted backwards.
Then it would end up in the front like what he has now.

[57chevy]

That's impressive that you guys noticed the calipers were switched. The 94 calipers were smaller so we swapped the backing plates and used the 99 brake components when we switched the rear end out. The torque arm is not installed in the photo since we've already pulled the blown V6 and trans out of the car. Stock shocks are on the car right now. This afternoon we are going to get under the car and pull some measurements off the unibody pickup points, we'll let you know what we find.

Again, thanks for all the help!!!!

Chevy

[steddy]

You know, it does kind of look like the front was put on the back, now that the calipers were mentioned.

[meissen]

But also keep in mind that the LT1 brakes are on one side but the LS1 brakes are on the other. My rear end calipers are on the opposite side of the wheel than my dad's rear end because his is 95 and mine is a 98+ rear end. I was more-so trying to see if they switched which he said they did.


If the torque arm is not installed, my only idea would be that the rear LCAs are different length. And unfortunately, I don't know if there's any difference on the mounting location for the LCAs on the 93-97 to 98+ rear ends since the 98+ rear end I bought had relocation brackets already welded in place.


Are the aftermarket LCA's that you have adjustable or are they non-adjustables? When you go to put the engine and transmission in, the torque arm is only one length so if the LCAs will allow it the torque arm will pull the rear end forward when both sides of the arm are bolted to the trans and rear end.

[MP81]

I'm thinking this has something to do with the torque arm or the LCA length.

[chevyman9306]

Looking at the pics i noticed the rear bumper was red...is it the stock bumper??? same year bumper??? the year difference could have brought the lines down closer to the rear wheels than your year did. Also the rear end looks like it is bent down from the collision...maybe the body being bent down brought it closer...if everything else measures out though

[57chevy]

Follow up...

Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone. Looks like meissen, Sman and others were right about the torque arm not being attached causing part of the issue. We rolled the rearend forward simulating the torque arm being attached and picked up about an inch of clearance. Still not centered in the wheel tub but much improved anyway. The pickup points on the chassis look to be in the same location as our WS6 so the only thing we know to do at this point is to finish the assembly / engine swap and then deal with it as needed. Adjustable lower control arms may be the only way to get the axle "centered" in the car the way we want, but until everything is back together we'll take the wait and see how it goes -approach.

Once we get the drive train back in the car, we'll report back again.

Once again, we'd like to thank all those that took the time to offer advice and info. We really apreciate all the Fbody guys taking the time to offer help!!!!!

Chevy

[sman]

Not a problem, glad I could help!

[1BADAIR]

haha I wish I would hae seen the pics.
I know what it looks like if the TA is upside down

[98blackbeauty]

That's impressive that you guys noticed the calipers were switched. The 94 calipers were smaller so we swapped the backing plates and used the 99 brake components when we switched the rear end out. The torque arm is not installed in the photo since we've already pulled the blown V6 and trans out of the car. Stock shocks are on the car right now. This afternoon we are going to get under the car and pull some measurements off the unibody pickup points, we'll let you know what we find.

Again, thanks for all the help!!!!

Chevy

Ok That is part of the problem, when we installed late model rear with lowering spring and relocation mounts. the rear was noticeable closer to the rear. the torgue are was not inplace because the engine trans was not in, as like yours. When we mounted engine trans and torgue arm it rotated the rear and brought it to center. I would assume you are useing after market lower control arms. are these adjustable? if they are, great finish engine swap and trans. mount torque arm. Then adj distance to center wheels in wheel well. If they are not adj. then see if they pull in and are centered. the lca's are 19 3/8 inches bolt center to bolt center.
I hope this helps you.

[MP81]

Yeah, and for the most part - F-Body rear ends aren't centered even remotely, from the factory. Adjustable LCAs will solve that.