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#1
11-10-2016, 03:46 AM
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1972 Pontiac LeMans Convertible
Hi,
My name is Jim and recently I purchased a 72 LeMans convertible. I purchased the LeMans as a second project after finishing a restoration on my 79 Pontiac TransAm . The car is a 72 with a 350 2V engine. Since I bought the car in February I have driven it about 4000 miles and it is a really good car. In March I decided to install a th200r4 transmission and it was built to handle up to 750hp and will be matched up to a 455 that I am currently building for it. Just recently I installed a new suspension system and new 4 wheel discs brakes. For the suspension I used a Detroit Speed set up with Baer brake system. I also installed a set of 17" Year One rims with 255/50/17 tiires.  [IMG]  [/IMG]
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#2
11-11-2016, 01:24 AM
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Two great looking Pontiacs!!!! Welcome to the forum!!!
__________________
 1971 Lemans Post |
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#3
11-11-2016, 01:41 AM
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 Shortly after I got the car I replaced the worn out bushing and shocks and installed a TH200r4 transmission from Art Carr at California Performance Transmission. Having an overdrive gear on the highway is really great. A little bit better MPG too, about 18mpg. The transmission was built for 750hp , which will be good when I replace the 350 2V with a 455. |
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#5
11-11-2016, 01:49 AM
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Back in late August I bought some Year One 17" rims and put on new tires (255/50/17) I really love the new rims although I'm traditionally partial to the 14" rally rims.
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#6
11-11-2016, 02:13 AM
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Since August I also added the Sport Bullet Mirrors and mounted a 71 GTO style spoiler. I wanted the 71 style spoiler becacause I really liked the wing style spoiler.
In September I installed a Detroit Speed Suspension kit on the front and rear . I was very impressed with DSE with the quality and figment. One step further I decided to upgrade the brakes to 4 wheel disc. I used a Baer system for the brakes with 12" disc on the rear and 13" disc on the front. With additional upgrade on the master cylinder and booster the brakes are really amazing. Doing all this gave me a chance to rebuild the rear axle. I changed the gear from 2:78 gear ratio to a 3:36 with stronger axles and a Posi gear.       
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#7
11-11-2016, 02:19 AM
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The new front disc fit quite well with the year one 17" HineyComb rims
 
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#8
11-11-2016, 02:29 AM
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I decided to change out the original gauge cluster with Dakota Digital Gauges. These gauges fit well in the original mounting area and I am very happy with the looks and functionality.
   
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#9
11-11-2016, 02:30 AM
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#10
11-11-2016, 02:42 AM
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With the new suspension and brakes, it does change the stance a little bit. The front spindles have a 2" drop and the rear drops about an inch or so. The new handling charges tics are greatly improved and the ride quality is excellent as well.
   
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#11
11-11-2016, 02:43 AM
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#12
11-11-2016, 03:04 AM
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Good seeing you here - still with SWA?
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#13
11-11-2016, 03:50 AM
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Quote:
Jim |
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#14
11-11-2016, 04:09 AM
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The rear axle was rebuilt with 3:36 gears and a Posi unit. New disc brakes were were added 12" Baer brakes
[IMG] [/IMG]
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#15
11-11-2016, 06:13 AM
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Very nice pair of Poncho's Jim! Thanks for sharing the pics and welcome!
__________________
Norm J |
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#16
11-11-2016, 07:43 AM
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Nice car.
__________________
1967 Firechicken, 499", Edl heads, 262/266@0.050" duration and 0.627"/0.643 lift SR cam, 3.90 gear, 28" tire, 3550#. 10.01@134.3 mph with a 1.45 60'. Still WAY under the rollbar rule. |
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#17
11-11-2016, 08:01 AM
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Very cool!
Keep the updates coming!
__________________
Some guys they just give up living And start dying little by little, piece by piece, Some guys come home from work and wash up, And go racin' in the street. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
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#18
11-11-2016, 10:12 AM
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Clean looking Lemans you have.
__________________
1971 Pontiac GT-37 Car is a junk yard dog and maybe one day will be restored. 
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#19
11-11-2016, 10:15 AM
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Nice car! Welcome.
__________________
68 GTO Ram Air I Auto, Starlight Black/Teal-Survivor 68 Firebird Ram Air II 4spd, Aegena Blue/Black/Black 68 Firebird 400 Conv. Auto, Red/Parchment/Parchment 69 Firebird Ram Air IV, 4spd Matador Red/Black-Survivor 70 GTO Ram Air III 4spd Conv. burgundy(currently Black)/White/Black 71 GTO 455HO 4spd, Lucerne Blue/Black/Black 71 GTO 455HO Auto, Lucerne Blue/Sandalwood/Blue |
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#20
11-16-2016, 07:02 AM
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Today I took the car and had an alignment done and everything checked out well and good. I drove for about 20 miles or so and I gotta say I am really happy with the Detroit Speed Suspension. I used the DSE Speed kit 1 on the front and the DSE Speed Kit 2 on the rear. The ride quality was much better than I was expecting. I was expecting a harder ride than stock but actually it was a bit better. It felt very smooth and solid. The inherent issues with a stock A body suspension are non existent with the DSE setup. Of course adding 17x9 rims and tires helps some, but all in all it was a very noticeable and positive difference.
As far as the brakes go, that too was improved with disc in the front and rear. Baer makes a great kit and it is excellent quality. The one thing I can honestly say is that Baer and Detroit Speed Engineering have great customer support as well. The quality is exceptional from both as well. One thing I do like is that both companies products are made in the USA, which I think is a good thing. The quality reflects that as well. Next week I will have the engine back from the engine shop. I have a 455 for it that is almost finished. I acquired a bare Pontiac 455 block last year and then started looking for a car to put in in. The motor is ready to be put on the dyno right now and I am using the new Holley Sniper EFI system on it. About a year and half ago I used the MSD Atomic EFI on the TransAm (it has a Pontiac 400 in it). I was really happy with the EFI setup so I decided to use EFI on my 455. I have a few more things ahead to do on the car so I am looking forward to what lies ahead. Jim |
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