Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car

Posted By: QTR MILR

Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/30/14 10:02 PM

Has anyone lowered the motor and trans on a stock bodied street/strip car?? Everything is so tight in my 69 Satellite it's nearly impossible to work on.... I'd like to lower the motor and trans about 1 inch. I've modded the k-frame and I am using a motor plate in the front. So that's easy enough. I'm looking at cutting the cage for the trans mount off of the crossmember and welding it 1 inch lower.... Any problems/drawbacks to this??
Thanks!!

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/30/14 10:18 PM

Quote:

Has anyone lowered the motor and trans on a stock bodied street/strip car?? Everything is so tight in my 69 Satellite it's nearly impossible to work on.... I'd like to lower the motor and trans about 1 inch. I've modded the k-frame and I am using a motor plate in the front. So that's easy enough. I'm looking at cutting the cage for the trans mount off of the crossmember and welding it 1 inch lower.... Any problems/drawbacks to this??
Thanks!!

It does cause a couple of issues.. might not be bad
for you... when you lower that weight it makes it
harder to transfer the weight to the rear and you
need to look at the ground clearance.. I raised
my car up 1" to make it a BIT easier to get in the trailer

Posted By: Sport440

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/31/14 05:52 AM

Quote:

Has anyone lowered the motor and trans on a stock bodied street/strip car?? Everything is so tight in my 69 Satellite it's nearly impossible to work on.... I'd like to lower the motor and trans about 1 inch. I've modded the k-frame and I am using a motor plate in the front. So that's easy enough. I'm looking at cutting the cage for the trans mount off of the crossmember and welding it 1 inch lower.... Any problems/drawbacks to this??
Thanks!!

I guess you have never worked on a Abody 440. Your Satellite should have much more room.

I wouldnt want to lower it as it will hurt weight transfer like Mike states. Id try to figure out a different approach.

My motors actually raised about 3/4" by the motor mounts. Stick with what you have IMO

Your heavy Satellite could use it.

Posted By: QTR MILR

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/31/14 05:34 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.... Never thought about how it would affect weight transfer.... Guess I leave it alone and deal with it!!

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/31/14 06:06 PM

We have raised and lowered our drive train in my 65 and have seen very little change in the car leaving or handling.Keep in mind that the 68 Darts and Cudas lowered the K-members 1/2" for clearence.

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/31/14 07:11 PM

Quote:

Has anyone lowered the motor and trans on a stock bodied street/strip car?? Everything is so tight in my 69 Satellite it's nearly impossible to work on.... I'd like to lower the motor and trans about 1 inch. I've modded the k-frame and I am using a motor plate in the front. So that's easy enough. I'm looking at cutting the cage for the trans mount off of the crossmember and welding it 1 inch lower.... Any problems/drawbacks to this??
Thanks!!

What are you trying to do? B-Bodys have a decent amount of room to work with. I guess you could remove some of the inner fender for better access.

Posted By: QTR MILR

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 03/31/14 11:20 PM

The biggest issue with my car is clearance around the transmission. Trying to put in a sheild and it seems like there isn't room for it.... I've trimmed the pinch weld area but it's tight behind that!! There is barely any clearance between the driveshaft and the top of the loop... The loop is stuffed up as high as I can get it.

Almost seems like the trans mount might be too tall....

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 04/01/14 02:11 AM

You should have a decent amount of room between the lop and the drive shaft. What type of loop is it? I've never used a shield so I don't know how much trouble they are to put in.

Posted By: QTR MILR

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 04/01/14 02:18 AM

IIRC the loop is Summit Racing... It's up against the floor. If there was no loop there would be maybe 1-1/2 inches from the floor to the top of the driveshaft....

Posted By: HOT IN AZ

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 04/01/14 03:26 AM

I know this won't work for you but a trick used by some racers running 62-65 B-body cars is to install a 66-67 K-member which lowers the engine in the car. Just food for thought!

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 04/01/14 03:31 AM

Quote:

I know this won't work for you but a trick used by some racers running 62-65 B-body cars is to install a 66-67 K-member which lowers the engine in the car. Just food for thought!

He is on a front plate... that part is super easy..
the trans brace isnt hard either... its just a matter
if he wants to

Posted By: QTR MILR

Re: Lowering Motor and Trans, stock bodied car - 04/01/14 10:54 AM

Well I went ahead and modified the trans crossmember to lower it about 1/2" I'll start there.... If I don't like it I can make a spacer to raise it back up.... Thanks for all of the replies!!