89+ changes..?

sthmstr

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I think I read somewhere once that there were minor changes to the MkIII suspension with the 89+ facelift that lowered the ride height by .5 inches or so all around. Is this true or can it be confirmed?

Reason I am asking is I happened upon a 89 at the junkyard and was thinking about swapping the front subframe to better fit my 1uzfe. If there is worth, then I will snag the rear too.

Thanks!
 

sthmstr

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1 more question....I understand that the subframe in front is different but is the drop from springs, different control arms or different placement on the subframe?

Basically just wondering if I can use my 88 control arms on the 89 supframes and still get the 12mm drop?
 

sthmstr

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adampecush;1303729 said:
89 year can have either the early or late model front subframe. my 89 has the earlier.

This 1 is a late model.

The other thought is maybe the spindles drop it?
 

Poodles

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Drop is in the springs.

Check the mounts to see if it's early or late (square engine mounts = early, round = late), and the braced rear subframe was all 89's...
 

shaeff

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No need to grab the entire rear subframe. The extra bracing that's added is simply bolted on, and will bolt right onto the pre '89 subframes. ;) It's just two small bars, that's it!

Or, you could pull yours over the winter, strip it, and reinforce it, like mine. :) (Thanks to Slow66 for the welding!)











I skipped a lot of steps in there, but you get the idea. I've also got the '89+ braces on there. This subframe will be going in my new car. :)
 

Nick M

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1989 is a good year to avoid. Too many running changes for my taste.

The revised suspsension helps the braking also. Along with better tires, new hoses and proper alignment.
 

sthmstr

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Thanks for the suggestion, info and pics Shaeff, and thanks for info Poodles/ Nick M!

This is for sure a late 89 at the junkyard and mine is a 88 Turbo/ targa so keepin my car, but lookin for upgrades when I can find them. I found the car at a junkyard near me along with an 86 and have pulled parts here and there. Just lookin at what will be the worth it to steal. I will be doin aftermarket springs and shocks so the stock stuff doesn't interest me much. Just lookin for cheap opportunities to make mine better.

I don't need the subframe but I may still do it for clearance issues with the 1U. Should I take that steering rack too? I know the ratios are different and it doesn't have the stabilizer. Is it really worth the hassle?
 

Poodles

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That rack is going to be a PPS rack, and fuck all if I can remember if pre-89's have PPS. If it does, you'd need the power steering pump (or just the pulley) as they use a smaller pulley to push more pressure (this offsets the lack of the dampener). If it doesn't, I doubt it can be adapted easily...

The 89 model year was the best in some ways... namely the steering wheel.
 

sthmstr

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Poodles;1304355 said:
That rack is going to be a PPS rack, and fuck all if I can remember if pre-89's have PPS. If it does, you'd need the power steering pump (or just the pulley) as they use a smaller pulley to push more pressure (this offsets the lack of the dampener). If it doesn't, I doubt it can be adapted easily...

The 89 model year was the best in some ways... namely the steering wheel.

Hmm, sounls like alot for nothing possibly. I was gonna use the 1uzfe steering pump. Thinkin about it have no idea what the steering is like on a SC400. You think it would be closer to the 88 I have or the 89+ at the junkyard?
 

sthmstr

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pogoism9;1305376 said:
89+ turbo has PPS, you would need the rack, pump, harness, and ECU for the PPS system.

That doesn't sound fun. I think I'll just hang on to all my current stuff. I snagged the grille inserts and signals yesterday. Believe I'll leave the rest alone.