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#1
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76 T/A complete front and rear suspension info
I'm helping a friend restore and upgrade his high school car,been garaged for over 30 years.Have the engine and trans figured out but want to out complete F&R bolt in upgrade suspensions.We kind of like the Detroit Speed front but don't seem to have a complete kit for the rear.Anyone out there do something like this to their car?Tom
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#2
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Looks like Detroit Speed has pretty much everything.
I’ve installed hotchkiss springs, koni classic shocks, energy suspension bushings and moog for ball joints and other parts. I think most like the 1.25” front swaybar and 5/8” rear. It still rides good, but is tighter then stock. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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1979 Firebird Trans Am 301/4spd (Now 428) 1977 Firebird Formula 400/Auto 2007 Grand Prix GXP 5.3L |
#3
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Thanks,might see what Curri has for the rear.Tom
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#4
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To bring this back up,the guy wants a semi hipo suspension BUT does not want it so stiff his wife will hate driving or riding in it.The 455 is being built now,going to run a OD auto.I told him he needs to start by picking out wheels and tires so im pushing him to get that done this week.Pretty sure coilover will be out because of the ride.Can use any help from the 2nd gen owners that have done this stuff.Car is going in the restro shop in November.Tom
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#5
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I installed BMR's torque arm suspension in my 79 Camaro very very happy with it my TA has a stock suspension and there is definitely is a difference in handling
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JIM |
#6
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check out PTFB, they specialize in 2nd gen firebirds & have full kits at 3 different performance levels & sell all kinds of other suspension parts for these cars. they dont have the complete bolt in frame sections but their kits are very nice.
i have their front/rear GT kit on a 72 firebird & it rides & handles great... & they are priced much better than the pother places. |
#7
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Tom what does he want for the car-go autocrossing, just good cornering? Does he want just stock type suspension upgrades or wazoo new front coilover subframe?
Done a lot of the stock style upgrades no coil overs type stuff. Herb Adams, Guldstrand, Global West some of Dave at Fbody protouring's stuff too. My 78 TA I autocrossed the heck out of with road race slicks before I turned it to a drag car-going back that way now since I have the IA/Camaro for the drag strip.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#8
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My recipe was a 550lb front spring, 1 1/4" factory front sway bar, rear factory 5/8 sway bar and stock TA rear springs. I have steel lower control arm bushings I made Delrin spacers to take up the slack and Herb Adams upper solid control arm bushings I converted from weld in to press in. Sapping the lowers out now for Global's Del a lum bushings. I had poly shackle bushings but they are prone to binding and popping. Drag spring had a solid aluminum front spring eye bushing. Global has a spherical bushing for the front so it can articulate some as leafs actually do rotate. I prefer Global's interlocking solid subframe to body bushings. Bilstein's all the way around. Still felt "softer" than the 1985 full sized Bronco I had with stock suspension.
On the 81 TA I used upper and lower A arms from Global. a stiffer 750 lb front spring I had used on the Camaro when I autocrossed it and the SBC in it. You can do the 1LE 12" rotor B body spindle swap. I have that on the 81 but it has not had much driving since all those modes. There are Vette 13" rotor kits that require a 17" wheel if going that big.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#9
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I bought the 1 5/16"front and 1" rear from Summit Racing for my 76 Firebird. I added the 1LE front brake set up and put on 11" rear drum set up form a 1977 Lemans. My old 1977 Can Am had 11" rear drums stock and I had the 1LE set up on that back in the early 90's. I am going to upgrade springs, shocks and the steering box this coming winter. Looking at PTFB stuff. I think I want to use DSE subframe connectors as they are welded into the floor for more ground clearance.
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#10
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Those are good connectors a little more work doing the floor. I have the old Moroso/CE versions that bolt under the front spring perch -were not a great fit. The 81 and Camaro has some different ones I think form PTFB before he made his own-round tubing bolt on the rear subframe/bracing. All subframe connectors do make it more challenging to use a two post lift!
Steering box options -a reworked 800 series or lots of folks going to the new Delphi box. I like a stiffer front spring stops braking dive that unloads rear tires.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#11
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i have the square tube PTFB connectors on my 72, they fit great & arent the cheap type that bolt under the mounts, they are weld in front & rear but can be bolted in to. they attach all the way back at the rear frame section & go a few inches on to the front frame. the newer round tube ones mount/attach the same way.
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#12
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Skip,it is his high school car,I have tried to get him to sell it and buy a done car but he wants IT.He is just going to drive it,wont ever see a track,just wants it to handle better than he remembered it when he put it in the garage 30 years ago.He wants it to ride good as he thinks his wife will drive it and at least ride in it.My idea is to set it up if he gets on it and makes sharp power turns on the street he wont loose the back end.I know how busy he is with his business that he wont drive it as much as he think he will.HE almost pulled trigger on a 150K restore on it before I talked him of the cliff.Tom
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#13
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I'll call you later tonight or tomorrow and we can discuss if you want.
His wheel choice will make some decisions on brake systems.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune 13.43@103.4 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs |
#14
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We have ordered the Roadster shop frame to put under the car.No floor cutting needed.Pricey but should make a great car.Going with yet to be picked out 18in wheels and tires.The shop said 18 by 10s will fit without tubbing the car.Will order brakes,brake lines and fuel lines before it is shipped.18 weeks at this time to make.Tom
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#15
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That's a big step beyond anything discussed! And for just a basic driver, good to have money.
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#16
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Not my money!He wants what he wants!Will be a cool build.Trying to get the engine mocked up so I can order pistons.Going in the shop next month,get the engine and trans out.Im sure he will have the under painted before the frame goes under.Tom
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#17
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That Roadster frame is a cool product. Seems expensive but not too bad if starting from scratch. Add up all of the separate components, front susp, sub frame connectors, rear suspension and brakes. Plus you most likely have a better product at the end. Keep us posted on the build. Thanks
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Systems under stress fail catastrophically |
#18
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18 weeks to get the frame!Hurry up and wait!Tom
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#19
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https://www.facebook.com/RoadsterSho...2665972819188/
Check out what they used to inspire the second gen chassis...
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Systems under stress fail catastrophically |
#20
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We watched that video which lead us to order it.We will order brake and fuel lines when it gets closer along with brakes.Tom
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