Anyone ever mount a non-1988 cradle without spacers on top of the rear perches? (Page 1/1) Quadfather JAN 19, 01:24 PM I asked this question in my build thread. While converting my '87 cradle to rigid mounts, I welded some pipe sections on the tops and bottoms of the rear perches temporarily so I could install a spare Quad to check for fitment in the engine bay. Now that I'm done rebuilding the Quad out of my GTZ, I was just about to re-do the pipe sections on the rear perches. As I compared the '87 to the '88 cradle, I started wondering if anyone's ever just made the non-88 cradle perches smooth like the '88 cradles are. As I mentioned in my build thread, the sides of the cradle or the sheet metal would have to be altered to make it fit. This is one of the pipe sections I tacked in place (the cradle is on its side) The '88's perches are taller than the '87s, but the cradle is thicker and the '88's suspension mounts higher than on the '87. I closed up the big openings on the '87 cradle, but was still planning to use spacers on top. Ditching this section of pipe would be a cleaner, simpler mount. I know mounting the cradle this way would alter the axis of the rear suspension travel, tilting it forward, but would it be enough to cause any problems? cvxjet JAN 19, 02:14 PM Before I converted my 85 to 88 rear subframe/suspension, I solid-mounted the cradle- had a friend machine some steel to fit in the front, and used blocks of aluminum to replace the rear bushings. The biggest problem with mounting that early subframe without spacers is that it would position the engine higher....depending on which engine you are going with there could be interference between the engine and the decklid. Positioning the A-arms higher up would be a slight improvement in geometry. If you are doing an engine conversion then you could make modified engine mounts......come to think of it, there may be interference with the half-shafts also. Quadfather JAN 19, 02:27 PM I hadn't even thought about the TOP of the engine. Doh. Here's how the Quad fits WITH spacers. So, yeah, for that reason alone I need to add spacers. Still like to know if anyone's ever skipped using them, though. olejoedad JAN 20, 08:01 AM I'm thinking the changes to the rear control arm angle would not be beneficial for handling or ride quality. Use the spacers - or better yet use an 88 rear cradle. Spadesluck JAN 20, 06:09 PM Considering that the solid mount cradle bushings are not expensive, it would just make sense to use those and not mess up the geometry of the cradle. pmbrunelle JAN 20, 07:01 PM quote Originally posted by Spadesluck: not mess up the geometry of the cradle. Do note that the geometry is messed up from the factory as the cradle is pretty much an X-car cradle shifted to the rear. Not having any spacers is more a matter of going from bad to worse. When people want to "fix" the Fiero, I think they put a few inches worth of spacers on the rear cradle mounts.