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88 Cradle Swap

Printed From: West Coast Fieros
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Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
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URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=885
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 1:13pm
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Topic: 88 Cradle Swap

Posted By: CFoss
Subject: 88 Cradle Swap
Date Posted: 24 September 2008 at 11:28am

Hey everybody. A quick note...finished the cradle swap and the car is on the road.

The improvement IS dramatic. I have the rear end set for -.7 deg camber, stock toe. The car is way more responsive, rolls way less, and is solid in and out of corners. My understeer on the front is gone and it's not jittery through the bumps at all.

If you have the chance, I highly recommend it.

Chay

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86 SE 3.4

Replies:

Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 24 September 2008 at 1:07pm

Did you swap the front as well, or did you end up giving up on that part.

COngrats on the cadle swap though. From reading on the Racing List, the 88 Cradle swap is the best thing you can do for an 84-87 car.

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Capt Fiero
88 Fiero GT 5spd V6
Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.

Posted By: CFoss
Date Posted: 24 September 2008 at 6:25pm

I haven't given up exactly. I wanted to evaluate the car with the original front end to see if I really wanted to move to the 88 and do all the work.

The steering wheel is quite heavy, but if you can turn it the car bites really well. So, I might get used to it, or maybe I'll want the smaller scrub radius after a while. I do have all the poly for the pre 88 front so that's a consideration too...build the 86 front end with the poly, then swap it for the 84.

Anyway, the 88's not going anywhere for a while. It's complete rotor to rotor (Including cali's) and in good shape. If I do decide to dispose of it I'll do it here...I'm sure some here could use a couple of good hubs at the very least.

Chay

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86 SE 3.4

Posted By: Dr.Fiero
Date Posted: 24 September 2008 at 9:35pm

Don't bother swapping the front over.

I've got my 88 formula here, and I've got my '87 w/'88 rear end. I prefer the '87/88 hybrid over any of the other cars I've got, or have driven (and that's a LOT of 'em!!!!).

Posted By: CFoss
Date Posted: 25 September 2008 at 9:18am

Do you find the wheel heavy as well? I'm running 215/60/16's and it seems heavy, but it does handle well. I guess I'll start on the weight training again! The feel is pretty good too.

Actually I'm not used to the feel because I've been driving my F350 for so long!

What is it exactly that you prefer about the pre 88 front? I've read the traction is about the same, but the 88 is more adjustable for race setup.

If a guy did say, a slolum (sp?) front end from HT on the pre 88 do you think it would handle better than the stock 88?

I have a few things to do on the car before I can really test her out...I'm not getting VSS through to the buffer/speedo/ecm so my IAC setting is all screwed up...doesn't want to idle without help, and for some reason, the interior lights stay on ALL the time...probably grounded out somewhere. Lots of fun!

Anyway, I have to drive it more to see if I really like it. Thanks for the advice though.

Chay

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86 SE 3.4