Author Topic: Project: 1982 SX/4 Turbo Stroker (Read 41850 times)

cyclops231 · « **on:** July 12, 2012, 06:33:03 PM »

I stopped driving the SX/4 shortly after the rear spring popped through the floor. This was patched but other areas of rust concerned me enough to pull it from the road and place it in storage. College, jobs, a lack of time, space, tooling and skill have kept me from me finishing this project. Now I may be ready.

Its time to get the old bird back on the road again.

As it sits right now:

Prafeston · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2012, 06:52:44 PM »

This should be fun!

cyclops231 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2012, 09:42:25 PM »

Sheet metal parts donor: a 1979 Spirit
(Don't mind the blocking, we were switching trailers)

TheWraith · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2012, 06:55:30 AM »

Pretty cool project...want to know more.

What kind of rear axle is that in the first pic? Full floater??

What kind of engine are you screwing together for it? Tranny? TC?

rohnk · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2012, 09:27:05 AM »

Looks like a good project in the works. is that a Dana 35 rear end? I see it has calipers on it so my guess is you are planning to upgrade you brakes and go four wheel calipers. You may need to change your master cylinder too, at least that is what I get from reading other posts.

Welcome back and have fun!

cyclops231 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2012, 01:59:32 PM »

The original rear is a D35, the one behind the car is an 8.8 out of an Explorer w/ 3.73 ratio. This is getting re-geared w/ 3.08 so I don't have to open the front.

The engine is a 4.0 stroked to a 4.6 and bored out .30 over. Forged pistons, s/s valves, roller rockers, etc... There should be a post on here somewhere for the build of it.

Trans is an AX-15.

I have a hydro boost system for the brakes, it will be four wheel disc, IIRC ~~Volvo~~ Sport Trac rotors/calipers are used for the Big Brake kit.

eaglefreek · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2012, 03:16:55 PM »

Quote from: cyclops231 on July 13, 2012, 01:59:32 PM

, IIRC Volvo rotors/calipers are used for the Big Brake kit.

More details pleeeease.

cyclops231 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2012, 06:35:41 PM »

I have to go back into my files to find details on the brake upgrades. I have a bunch of research into what would fit from when Vanco was developing the big brake kit for Jeep Cherokees (which is basically the same setup)

Edit:
I went back into my files and it looks like its 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac that offers 12" x 1" rotors and dual piston calipers. Still not sure about the Volvo stuff but the S40 offers an 11" rotors and has a 5x4.5 bolt pattern but they upgrade to Focus ST stuff (in the UK)

eaglefreek · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2012, 09:10:24 PM »

I'm assuming this is for the front? Are you making custom brackets or did you get some from Vanco? I looked at the Vanco kit and it is for 90+ YJ's and XJ's and includes a new knuckle which we can't use on the IFS. We share calipers with the pre 90 YJ's and XJ's. I'd love to see what you have figured out.

txjeeptx · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2012, 01:05:44 AM »

Man, I thougth I'd posted a response to your reappearance - coinciding with my first visit back to the Nest since May, and the decision to start working on my SX/4 - as an interesting coincidence, but I guess I didn't post. Good luck, hope your car has survived storage better than mine has. I've forgotten where I left off, and the brakes have gone to rust. It seems most of my original build postings have disappeared from here, too. I'll be watching what you do with yours while I bring mine back to life.

Prafeston · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2012, 01:20:11 AM »

Txjeep you probably commented on his welcome back thread. This is his project thread.

cyclops231 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2012, 08:03:27 PM »

Quote from: eaglefreek on July 13, 2012, 09:10:24 PM

I'm assuming this is for the front? Are you making custom brackets or did you get some from Vanco? I looked at the Vanco kit and it is for 90+ YJ's and XJ's and includes a new knuckle which we can't use on the IFS. We share calipers with the pre 90 YJ's and XJ's. I'd love to see what you have figured out.

The big difference between the Jeeps and the Eagles front brakes is the caliper mount. On Jeeps the mount is cast into the knuckle, this needs to be cut off and machined for adapters. The Eagle already has this done so it only needs adapter brackets made (usually just a plate with some holes). I plan on making the plates for this since I have a milling machine and lathe at my studio (www.FranksKitchens.org) in Philadelphia.

Quote from: txjeeptx on July 14, 2012, 01:05:44 AM

decision to start working on my SX/4 - as an interesting coincidence

^- awesome

BTW I'm working on video updates, there may be a slight lag between this post and them (but it'll be worth it)

Some interesting comparisons between the SX/4 and Spirit body:
SX/4 Spirit

inside:
differences in the transmission tunnel

Rear (under):
differences in bump stop, stamping and seat belt location

Engine Bay:
difference in wiper motor mount and fire wall stamping (holes just right of trans tunnel)

Inside Rear
same

Inside Side:
differences in rear floor stamping, specifically seat belt mounts and trans tunnel (see rear under)

Rear Wheel Well
differences being added reinforcement

captspillane · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2012, 09:49:34 PM »

Some of the differences you've found are also differences between a 1979 and a 1982 Spirit. I own one of both and they are dramatically different. When SX4s and Spirits were in production together they were made almost exactly the same except for the transmission tunnel.

The 1980 Eagles had the same square wiper motor as a 1979 Spirit. 1981 Eagles and Spirits all had the newer wiper motor.

Another major difference in my 1979 Spirit AMX is an air cleaner tunnel that literally goes through the passenger side subframe below the battery. Craziness.

cyclops231 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2012, 01:20:49 AM »

Video!!!
I'm no cinematographer but I'll try to keep the videos short and somewhat entertaining.

First one is up on youtube, I'll be getting into some techniques on sheet metal replacement and hopefully getting some timelapse of the build while its at FranksKitchens.org (my studio space). Currently both bodies are stripped and ready for some intense metal work so I've got a lot of catching up to do on posts. Until then here's EP1:

AMC Eagle Build: Ep1: Joe vs The Hornets
http://youtu.be/KfTRDrVkLVA