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The next item I need to track down is the Saab rear differential. I thought I'd try something with a Ford 8.8 front diff and use that in the rear but I'm thinking it will be easier to use what the transfer case was meant to be with.
Hi, it's been a while since I've been on. Work has been murder, had no motivation to do anything all winter. Getting back at it. It's going to be a bit more involved to get the transfer case mated to the Pontiac f40. I have to get a differential from an awd Saab trans, then get the trans case machined for the seal to fit. as it will have a splined snout sticking out the right hand side for the input shaft of the transfer case to mate to. On Saturday I decided to put the 5.3 in and just mate it to the old 4 speed just so I can start making the motor mounts and address any clearance issues all the way aroung the engine. Trust me I have plenty of work to do. I'll have to notch the passenger frame rail a bit.The pulleys are rubbing that side. The alternator is trying to occupy the same space as the blower fan on the firewall. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet. Possibly thinking of changing to a manual rack and pinion and moving the alternator to where the ps pump now resides. Also finally found a yard with the Saab so I can get the rear diff, driveshaft and cv shafts. Once I get that stuff for the rear I'll go from there as to how I'm going to set things up.
Last edited by supercharged024; 05-26-2014 at 12:25 PM.
Reason: picture
A fiero vendor sells a LS4 alternator relocation bracket that cantilevers the alternator off the front of the engine. If you want one of these brackets, I know someone who should have a couple of used ones.
No that won't work. It's a very tight fit. I'll be notching the frame a bit also one of the idler pulleys is snug against the strut tower. I'll get it figured out. As far as the transmission, thankfully a local shop has a Saab awd 6 speed listed as a core. I had already went and looked at it about a month ago and realized I would need the differential. I wondered why it was a core, then saw that the spider gears were kinda floating in the differential so I held off on buying. I was hoping the quaife lsd was available for the awd but no luck. I will simply buy it and use the spider gears from my diff. and stick them in the awd carrier. Hopefully I can talk them down a bit from the $400 core charge since I know how much it would cost them for another gear carrier to fix it.
I hope I can save you some time and effort - I'm using electric PS steering with a manual rack in my 81 X-11 Citation - (X body brother for those that don't know). I fab'd up a bracket for the alternator to sit where the PS pump goes.
I tried the WCF bracket FieroGuru posted but it'll interfere with the radiator support and I didn't like having to cut the water manifold or how the pulley engagement would be. I cut on the stock LS4 alternator bracket and used some flat plate that will allow it to be bolted with the water manifold bolts.
Good luck with the build - great to see another X body being saved !!
Once again it's been a while since I've updated anything.
Yeah I've had this car for about 9 years and still hasn't moved under its own power. Granted the last 4 years I was busy with the wifes 78 Y88 Solar gold edition 4 speed Trans am.
It's time to kick this build into high gear. This year has to be its year. Been getting into the rust repair which is time consuming work for me.
I've been trying to get a lot done lately. working on the rust repair and fabricating
Making molds and repopping the rear bumper fillers myself. I have an album started on Facebook with a couple hundred pictures so far. I'll try and post a link.
Looks like you entered the link in the reply title section, but if you copy and past it it works.
Following. My last day of driver's training, we went out in an '81 Phoenix. Kinda cool car, except for the sticky gas pedal.
I kept chirping the tires pulling away from lights. lol
11-28-2013, 04:44 PM
