Tranny crossmember convert in a '82...advise anyone?

[ironmoo]

I'm looking to put a '79 auto crossmember into my '82 to convert true duel exhaust. The crossmember will need some modification for the 700R4 tranny I'm told but is there any fabrication or issues to be aware of?

FYI: This is a Calif car but I have a smog exemption in the little county I'm in. However I wish to keep the smog pump and plan to run dual cats, just in case this county get too big with the population and the smog law hit us here too.

... And if it fits, a crossover pipe in front of the crossmember. Hedman makes a set of headers #68301-6 with all the air plumbing I plan to install as well, anyone done this to their '82?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

-Moo

 

[Peer81]

Sorry don't know the direct answer but,
What you need to look at is that your 700R4 is longer then a normal TH350. On a '79 the 350 will be connected "in front" of the crossmember and your 700 will be on top of the crossmember. No problem because you can drill true the crossmember but look if your transmission is sitting about the same height as at your current crossmember, and that is what I don't know.
Good luck,

Groeten Peter

 

[Rebelrob]

There are folks here that have done the conversion to true dual exhaust, no cats. Thats my plan at least. Im working from the rear to the front, till I replace the engine.
You should not have to get a new cross member. If you look at your existing exhaust, the driver side will make the same 90 degree bend and run up next to the passenger side. There are exhaust kits from the different vette vendors that sell this already bent and ready to bolt on. Also a custom exhaust shop should be able to make all the bends you need when coming off of new headers. I would go that route instead of getting a new crossmember. The links below are from corvettecentral, many vendors sell them. Yo will get the idea.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?Parta~ShowPicTxt~Z5Z5Z50000050g~Z5Z5Z5GBCXE~Z5Z5Z51

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?Parta~ShowPicTxt~Z5Z5Z50000050g~Z5Z5Z5GBDVB~Z5Z5Z51

R

 

[Evolution1980]

Moo, you shouldn't need to change the crossmember just to accomodate the exhaust, unless the '79 crossmember is a bit taller (closer to the ground) than the 1980-82. You can run true dual underneath the cross member without any issues. No need for anything special. However, if you are changing to a 700R4, then yes, you'll need a different crossmember, but that still won't change the exhaust setup.

Check out this post of mine in another thread.

 

[Peer81]

However, if you are changing to a 700R4, then yes, you'll need a different crossmember, but that still won't change the exhaust setup.

82's already have a 700R4, but I think it slipped your mind

Groeten Peter

 

[Evolution1980]

82's already have a 700R4, but I think it slipped your mind

Good catch! Not so much that it slipped my mind, but I was thinking he had a '79 and wanted an '82 crossmember to accomodate dual exhaust. I had my numbers mixed up.