Thread: frame swap out

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A couple more thoughts....

You might consider what motor you're gonna use and choose a front clip that used that motor from the factory. That way, you'll be able to use off-the-shelf mounts and even bolt-on headers.

When choosing your motor/trans (If buying a boneyard package, I would buy them as a unit so that you know they were engineered to work together), also purchase the transmission crossmember. Save the old Buick crossmember. Cut the ends off the donor crossmember and bolt the 1/3 middle part of it to the transmission after you have the engine/trans in place. Cut the center out of the Buick crossmember and bolt the two ends into place on the Buick frame. Now, weld the donor stub to the Buick pieces, using 1/8" plate to fill in and complete your new hybrid, homebuilt trans crossmember. Pretty neat, huh?

Use the parts which will work best for you, no matter what they came off of. It doesn't matter if the best front clip match is from an AMC Pacer, if that's what works best for you.