I'd like to hear from some folks who have actually done a K member swap - what did you notice from it? What are the actual benefits & drawbacks for a street car - not a full time racing vehicle?

I am just tyring to determine if it's worth it for my application.

Thanks
Mark

 

It's lighter and you don't lose tools when you drop them.

You shouldn't jack the car up by it, and some people notice slightly more noise when you hit bumps (but I don't).

 

I love the clearance it gives. I can swap out long tube headers in just about 2 hours on a tubular K car as opposed to 2 DAYS on a stock K car.

I've had no problems throwing the car up on the tubular K either. It's only for a minute or two anyway....I wouldn't suggest keeping the jack on it for an extended amount of time though.

 

Not to hijack, but how hard is it to put in a k-member? Would I need the engine out, or could I just jack it up like I would if I were putting on headers?

 

You can use an engine hoist to hold the motor in place, unbolt the motor mounts and swap it out. You may have to do some work on the brake lines, but it's nothing major, unless you delete ABS or something.

I did mine while the new motor was still on the engine stand.

 

Mongse-exactly what kind of handling improvements did you experience. While I can DEFinitely relate to not losing tools (and nuts and bolts and screw... etc) swapping out headers and such is not attractive to me. I have no intention of doing much to this car for as long as I can! It's been a long, strange trip and I just want to drive it.

 

It doesn't have any affect on handling... you 'may' notice it because the bushings are getting replaced with poly ones. If you're planning on getting one for the handling difference you are bound to be dissapointed.

 

Jason, then the reason for doing it is strictly weight savings?

 

My car only goes straight, unless I'm turning to get into the staging lanes.

Weight reduction and more clearance in the front suspension is why I did it. I've had a lot of piping that had to be run.

 

Yeah, if you can turn you aren't going fast enough.

I am thinking about swapping k-members in the future. What did you hook the chain from the engine hoist to on the motor to hold it in place?

 

I did mine while the motor was out of the car on a stand.

You could probably take the coil off and one of the rear coolant bypass fittings off and replace with bolts to lift it. You may be able to get away with using two intake bolts if you can get a link on them.

 

Mine was installed when the 383 went in, but I assisted someone with the motor in the car and yes, we just chained it and lifted it a few inches by intake bolts.

Markbo, Mongse_1 answered your question to me.