Help! Need 82 CE Expert

[Hib Halverson]

I'm researching a magazine article on 82 Collector Edtions.

The car I'm using as the example for this story seems a bit unusual in that it seems to have base suspension but a (9-leaf) steel rear spring. I was under the impression that 81s and 82s with automatic and w/o FE7 had a composite (monoleaf) rear spring and that only FE7 cars have a (7-leaf) steel rear spring.

I'm looking for an expert on 82s who can enlighten me on this spring issue.

Also, two rear axles are listed for MY82, a 2.72 and a 2.87. Anyone know which axle is in what kinds of cars? I'm surprised there is even two ratios listed. Was the 2.87 some kind of "performance" ratio? If so, what cars got it?

Lastly, I'm a little confused about the existence of a rear stabilizer bars on base suspension cars. One source of information I ran across says that base cars had a front bar and no rear bar with only FE7 cars (Gymkhana Susp) having a rear bar. Others sources show front and rear bars for both levels of suspension with the FE7 having the larger bars.

 

[Glensgages]

Collector Edition info???

Hib:
While I'm no expert on '82s (or anything else)...

Am under impression that there were in-fact, 2 gears ratios offered for '82s;
from I have learned is that '82s with the steel rally wheels came w/ 2.72s and 225/70R15 tires;
all '82s with aluminum wheels, including Collector Editions, were equipped w/ the 'performance' :L 2.87:1 ratio gear-sets and 255/60R15 tires. I have also heard that a few steel-wheels cars had the 'big' tires delivered, too.

Have been told a character I know is the 'Grand Pub-bah' of a C.E. registry;
check w/ TheDesertdawg@msn.com for more info.

My base '82 does not have a rear bar on it.

 

[Guy]

Hib:
While I'm no expert on '82s (or anything else)...

Am under impression that there were in-fact, 2 gears ratios offered for '82s;
from I have learned is that '82s with the steel rally wheels came w/ 2.72s and 225/70R15 tires;
all '82s with aluminum wheels, including Collector Editions, were equipped w/ the 'performance' :L 2.87:1 ratio gear-sets and 255/60R15 tires. I have also heard that a few steel-wheels cars had the 'big' tires delivered, too.

I'm no expert either, so I sent Hib an email for the NCRS 78-82 Judging Team Leader.
On the wheels: My NCRS Spec. Guide says you are correct about the wheels/ratio, however, not all aluminum wheel cars came with 255/60R15. One of my 82's is an example - it came with aluminum wheels and the 225/70R15.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HIB!


Guy

 

[Glensgages]

My NCRS Spec. Guide says you are correct about the wheels/ratio, however, not all aluminum wheel cars came with 255/60R15. One of my 82's is an example - it came with aluminum wheels and the 225/70R15.

82-Guy:
Thanks for your information; I originally didn't want to include the steel & 225/70R15 and N90 & 255/60R15 comment, but thought I might 'throw it out' for debate.
A source-book that I have had that info, which I questioned, until I was told it was true...
THEN I came across a late-C3 owner who's car was delivered w/ steel-wheels & 255/60R15 tires, and had the paper-work to show me: now yours has N90s & 225/70R15s?
:confused
Maybe the findings we bothhave should be classified as '...in-MOST-cases...'

 

[Guy]

Reading your post and looking it up, I thought it WAS interesting that the wheels determined the ratio. I makes more sense to me that the tire size would determine the ratio. Sometimes I wonder how much all of this is carved in stone.


Guy

 

[Glensgages]

Reading your post and looking it up, I thought it WAS interesting that the wheels determined the ratio. I makes more sense to me that the tire size would determine the ratio.

Agreed...
especially when you consider that the shorter, wider tires were coupled with the deeper gear ratio, and the slighty taller 225/70s came with higher gearing, too, back when they were doing anything & everything to get better mileage outta these things...
:confused

 

[Hib Halverson]

I've appreciated the help those on this thread have given me so far...to the point that I've credited the membership of CAC in the article as a source of information.

Now, I've got a new question:
I have heard rumors that there is some sort of 82 or 82/96 Collector Edition Registry or Owner's Association.

Is there anyone here who is familiar with such a group and knows how to contact it?

 

[Glensgages]

http://82ceregistry.com/82ce/index.htm

 

[ddbjr]

Hib,

re Springs

Base cars had a mono spring FE7 cars had 9 leaf springs in the rear, another little know fact is that FE7 cars didn't have metal rear strut rods, they were aluminum for weight savings sic.

re Bars

All had the same front bar and only FE7 had the rear bar.

re Axles
As noted steel wheels came with 2.72 aluminum wheels came with 2.82

re Wheels
Aluminum were only to get 255/60 but this is one of those thing that I think was 100%. Today on the line I think the wheels and tires come mounted together? Wonder is that was true back in 82? If it wasn't there probably wasn't anything stoping someone from putting 255/60 on steel wheels if he/she wanted to or if there was a shortage of 225/70's

Good luck on your article, any chance of getting an advanced copy?

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib,

re Springs
(snip)
re Bars
(snip)
All had the same front bar and only FE7 had the rear bar.
(snip)
re Axles
(snip)
re Wheels
(snip)
Good luck on your article, any chance of getting an advanced copy?

Thanks for that information, especially the statement that all 82s used the same front stab. bar.

Say...do you happen to know if there was a different front spring on FE7?

As for an advanced copy...sorry, my publisher would not permit that. The article will run in, probably, the June issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines but maybe the July issue.

 

[ddbjr]

Yes there were different front springs for the FE7
FE7
Part numbers Codes
14003400 BHH
14021601 BHJ
14021602 BHK

Standard
14003397 BHC
14003398 BHD
14003399 BHF

donald

 

[Hib Halverson]

Thanks again, ddbjr.

The artricle has been submitted to the publisher.