88 to 87 rear clip quick question
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Detroit MI
88 to 87 rear clip quick question
i just bought a 88 c4 vette it was rear ended and i need to clip the car. i bought a 87 rear clip and just need to know if there is any thing different with the setup or suspention ?? i noticed that the shock mounts were different ,and i think i can solve that by putting 87 shocks on the 88 suspension with 87 rear clip im putting the 88 rearend with suspension under the 87 rear clip .. .. im mostly wondering if i will run into more problems down the road
thanks,
thanks,
Last edited by hugo88vette; Aug 2, 2012 at 10:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
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its been done on here a few times, I believe the 87 is not as wide as the 88, hub to hub. I'm sorry I dont remember everything. They have a good search option here. Its a bolt in but if I remember the E brake is different and if you try to use the 88 rims , they will sit inboard. With both rear assemblys available to you , it shouldnt be difficult.
Are you only swapping the fiberglass? or the entire rear?
Are you only swapping the fiberglass? or the entire rear?
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Aug 3, 2012 at 01:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
The problem with the shocks is the upper mount. You can use the original rear if you still have it.
If it's destroyed, you can use the center of the 87 on the 88 suspension.
A pic of what you are doing would go far in having people comment.
If it's destroyed, you can use the center of the 87 on the 88 suspension.
A pic of what you are doing would go far in having people comment.
Team Owner
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i just bought a 88 c4 vette it was rear ended and i need to clip the car. i bought a 87 rear clip and just need to know if there is any thing different with the setup or suspention ?? i noticed that the shock mounts were different ,and i think i can solve that by putting 87 shocks on the 88 suspension with 87 rear clip im putting the 88 rearend with suspension under the 87 rear clip .. .. im mostly wondering if i will run into more problems down the road
thanks,
thanks,
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
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From: Detroit MI
im cutting the car in half and piecing them together in the middle where the floor seems together. i measured everything and everthing seems to be the same other then the shock mounts. ill post some pics soon so u can see what im doing.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
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From: Detroit MI
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just some pics so u guys can get an idea of what im doing i really just need to know if im going to have any problems with my 88 rearend and suspension under the 87 clip. The only thing i noticed on the 87 clip was the upper shock mounts were different and i think i can solve that by just using 87 shocks on the 88 suspension.
[/IMG]just some pics so u guys can get an idea of what im doing i really just need to know if im going to have any problems with my 88 rearend and suspension under the 87 clip. The only thing i noticed on the 87 clip was the upper shock mounts were different and i think i can solve that by just using 87 shocks on the 88 suspension.
Last edited by hugo88vette; Aug 3, 2012 at 07:01 PM.
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AS others have stated clearly,. AFTER 87 the entire suspension is different. Different hub width, shocks, different geometry. I guess you can marry the 87ass-end to thr 88 front end but you'll never see the end of the problems somewhere down the road trying to fit 87 stuff on what will be titled an 88 car....
I'd pass on the 87 tail and get the right rear end. Unless you want to put a sticker under the B pillar with an arrow pointing to the front that says 88 and another arrow to the rear that says 87...cause thats what parts ordering will be.
Gimme some ...uhhh 87 rear brake pads and a set of 88 front brake pads.
Jeeze...thats REALLY gonna screw the next guy.
I'd pass on the 87 tail and get the right rear end. Unless you want to put a sticker under the B pillar with an arrow pointing to the front that says 88 and another arrow to the rear that says 87...cause thats what parts ordering will be.
Gimme some ...uhhh 87 rear brake pads and a set of 88 front brake pads.
Jeeze...thats REALLY gonna screw the next guy.
Team Owner
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The '88+ upper rear shock mount is vey basic and I believe I'd prefer to do to the frame rails what I needed to do to use the '88 shocks. You've got very easy access to the area that needs work and you've got the '88 rails to use as templates. In the end I believe you'll be much happier. If you do the "clip" THEN attempt the install of the suspension and end up with a shock problem, and I believe the chances are "considerable" that you will, you've a much larger task.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
If it were me,
I'd buy a different car shell that was stripped, and build that one.
Not saying that you can't make this work, but the whole time I'd be driving it, I woud wonder about that next pothole weakening something, and dontchaknow, my wife would drive it over a curb, and I would have a lot of work to do all over again.
You know she would call me from somewhere, and say there's something wrong with the car, two of the wheels came off
I'd buy a different car shell that was stripped, and build that one.
Not saying that you can't make this work, but the whole time I'd be driving it, I woud wonder about that next pothole weakening something, and dontchaknow, my wife would drive it over a curb, and I would have a lot of work to do all over again.
You know she would call me from somewhere, and say there's something wrong with the car, two of the wheels came off
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I'm wondering why not just swap tail extensions, use the same batwing and diff, and slide the shell on that? unless the whole rear frame was destroyed...I just have serious doubts as to the strength of a cut & married aluminum frame. These rails were not that great to begin with......the term "twist & shout" came from C4s...
If there was EVER a good and convenient time, NOW would be it to mfg and fit a X brace that covered BOTH frame halves...Then I might feel ok about getting on the freeway in that car...
....otherwise weld that roof in place....its gonna need the structural support !
Good luck...quite an undertaking.
If there was EVER a good and convenient time, NOW would be it to mfg and fit a X brace that covered BOTH frame halves...Then I might feel ok about getting on the freeway in that car...
....otherwise weld that roof in place....its gonna need the structural support !
Good luck...quite an undertaking.
Last edited by leesvet; Aug 4, 2012 at 12:31 PM.
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you;re keeping the 898 frame rail extensions and batwing...and just sliping the 87 shell over that.
No real frame cutting & mending. Just bolt up stuff.
I had to study the pics to understand and once I saw the 88 rear frame was in good shape...I "figered" it out..
I'd still take the opportunity to fit a frame X brace in...there will never be a better time for access. That will be a dramatic improvement in the handling...you might evcen be able to go somewhere with the top off and not slide out of every turn..
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
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From: Detroit MI
thanks for all the information ill have some more pics of the project soon..ill keep updates till im done with the car..keep in mind i only payed $2000 for the 88 c4 with only 67XXX miles..and i payed $300 for 87 rear half.. so far i think im not doing to bad plus im doing all the work my salf with the help of a few friends and all u guys out there.. its my first vette and im only 23.. so thanks for any help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
There's a guy here selling a 87 vert with 80K for $3000. needs a top, seats, carpet... and the hood painted.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Aug 4, 2012 at 06:05 PM.