[Valkman]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to find a web site with a lot of knowledgeable people. I'm wanting to build my first hotrod/streetrod. I have a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner 2dr. Was looking into the Camaro front end swap but have heard a lot of good things about the Mustang II front end. Which way would be the best in your opinion? Thanks all.

P.S. This is my first attempt at doing something like this.

[Deuce]

As a moderator here, I would like to
WELCOME YOU HERE....

Independent front suspension upgrades are a very hot topic here. Lots of different opinions. Not being a Pontiac owner.....I will step aside and let some of the other members with experience on IFS speak up.

Again....WELCOME

DEUCE...

[enjenjo]

There are two series in 48 Pontiacs. The larger series uses the same body as the buick, and Cadillac. The smaller series uses a Chevy body. For the large series, a 70 to 81 Camaro fits good, lines up well with the existing frame, and is easy to build mounts on for the front sheet metal. On the smaller series, a 68 to 72 Nova, 78 to 86 G body clip, or a Mustang II crossmember fits better. I would lean to the Nova clip, or the Mustang, but the Mustang will require the frame rails to be straightened to fit properly. This involves removing a piece of the rail in the area of the stock front suspension, and replacing it with straight tubing. The G body clip fits nice, but there are issues with the core support/steering box interfering with each other.

[1951chevy]

You will find a lot of different opinions on all the different brand IFS systems or what to use as a frame swap or sub frame. I bought a Fatman IFS kit and installed it on a 1951 chevy with the help of a friend that could weld. The IFS kits are kind of expensive (close to 2000.00 or more for complete kit). I can't tell you how it rides yet since I have only put .4 tenths of a mile on the car since I am still working on it and winter is here. Your question is a tough one because there are many ways of doing it, thus many opinions out there.

[Valkman]

Thanks for the info. enjenjo, Do you happen to know which size of Pontiac I have? Its a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner "silverstreak".

[Valkman]

I just found out that the 48 Pontiac Streamliner is the large size. So should I use the camaro front frame clip or look for the larger sized Mustang II front end? Which do you think would be the easiest to install with the least amount of modification? Hope you all can help on this one.

[jm48Pontiac]

I am also building a 48 Pontiac and would be happy to send you pictures and additional details of the Fatman stub that I used. I am very happy with the results so far.

[enjenjo]

I have done a couple with Camaro frame clips, and they worked out good. The Pontiac frame is much different than a Chevy frame. You can see how I do one here, http://enjenjo.com/frameclip.html although it is not a Pontiac, but a Chevy pickup, the proceedure is pretty much the same. When done this way, the front sheet metal bolts right back on as stock.