[Bob Crueger]

Finally pulled the trigger on a R.A.R.E. purchase that hopefully make me commit to finishing my 67 GP convertible this year. I ordered the tubular 4-link rear suspension w/ sway bar, the new new front tubular a-arms w/ sway bar, LB manifolds and full exhaust w/ goerlich long case mufflers...oil filter clocking kit..

Has anyone here ordered the front a-arm stuff from them?

Will be going to four wheel discs, and I don't think stock Pontiac stuff will be good enough. I am actually thinking about some road track days. Any ideas on powerful, but reasonable, front rotors and calipers? Sky, here, being passed the limit.

I'll get some springs from Coil Spring Specialties, and a quick ratio steering box.

The engine is a SD Perfromance built hydraulic roller 460-something, auto, 3.08 posi.

I think I'll be going with 16, maybe 17" front rims, which should open up some caliper options... your thoughts?

[rustyrelic]

Sounds awesome. Please post the progress of your build, love to see it.

[Bob Crueger]

I was really curious if any here were thinking about the new A-arm stuff from RARE...nobody?

[67GP428]

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT CHECKING OUT THE R.A.R.E CONTROL ARMS FOR MY GP. HAVE YOU GOT YOUR CONTROL ARMS YET?

[Bob Crueger]

Not yet. They're getting powder-coated now, apparently, and will ship in a couple weeks. I think this is the first production run of these things...I hate to be the beta group...

[67GP428]

I installed the R.A.R.E 2 1/2 ' exhaust system with the crossover and the long branch headers. I went with the Xlerator muffers. It's a little loud at idle.

[Bob Crueger]

Looks like you and I will have an exclusive conversation about this...

Did you use the 18" (I think) "long case" xlerators? I've got those coming, and I am thinking of putting a resonator after those, similiar to OE application. RARE has 2 1/2 resonators that look like they'd function like the original equipment stuff, and knock a few decibels off and maybe mellow the tone and reduce harmonics. So I've been told...

[Bob Crueger]

.... and do you have headers or manifolds, LB or other?

[mike nixon]

Bob I've got PYPES Race Pros on my 65 G/P. They're a straight thru muffler. @ 2200 rpm they rattled the trunk floor. I put a set of short glass packs in the tails for resonators and it solved the issue. You can hear it run now but it's not obnoxious at all.

Mike

[67GP428]

Hey Bob I went with the LB manifolds. Think I'm going to install so resonators.

[perryka]

I'm at about the same place. RARE 2 1/2" exhaust was just delivered and is still in the boxes in the garage. Also got the long mufflers. 428 with long branches.

Front suspension is apart and the control arms are going to powder coater next week. Looked at the front RARE arms but the cost was a little prohibitive for me.

Still thinking about the rears though. Haven't gotten back there yet. Was just going to change out bushings and get a 70's b-body sway bar, but I'm still thinking about some of the RARE pieces for back there. If I can find a sway bar, may just go that route for now.

Also want to change to quicker ratio steering box. Where are you planning to get yours from?

Mine is a factory disc brake car, just converted to different calipers. Going with 15x7 Rally IIs.

Looking forward to seeing how yours goes together.

Alan

[Bob Crueger]

Alan, about the steering box, there's a local vendor I'm going to check out. I've seen some listed in some of the Pontiac vendor catalogs, stb three turns lock-to-lock instead of four, priced around 80 bucks...not sure what you get for that money. From what I've been reading, there's more to it than just bolting in a new box, including different pump pressures? Just starting the research there...

Those LB's sure look big bolted on the motor...

Looking for a tire brand that has a tire offered in 15" and 17'...I'm thinking 15's in the back, 17's in the front...I've looked at most major brands, no luck so far..

[perryka]

Bob,

I had the original steering box in my 62 Bonneville converted to a quick ratio box a few years ago, with no other changes, and it's been working great ever since. Original pump.

Alan

[kmccrystal]

I saw the rear arms/sway bar set-up at the Pontiac Nationals in Norwalk and was impressed. My first car (back in '78) was a '68 Bonneville 4-dr HT. It DIDN'T have a front sway bar and it handled like it!!!! My '68 Cat has a stock front bar and it handles a world better than the old Bonnie. The handling got even better when I put poly bushing in and made sure they were tight. I've been looking for a stock rear bar for a long time, but always seem to be third in line!!! Anyway, one of my winter projects will be to buy and install the same rear set-up as you. I have a 15/16 (?) dia front bar I got off a '70 Cat SW back a few years ago and will put that in at the same time.

[David Brown]

Did you see the two part rear sway bar stories in Smoke Signals a few months back? I bought a factory rear bar and the attaching hardware from a 71+ B Body Mostly Grandville. I havent install yet, but it is as simple as drilling the control arms and bolting it on. Part 2 was about A bodies. I have a 72 Cutlass Convertible and bought one for that car. The bar is still available new from GM for about $100 (Chevelle SS part#394926). My contol arms were predrilled from the factory and it was simple bolt on.

[kmccrystal]

Nope, don't get Smoke Signal... and when I go JYing I'm always looking for a rear sway for a B-body... and still looking... that's probably why I'll just go with the RARE kit. Most cars have the new stuff on the front and the rusty OEM on the back... Mine will be reversed! Plus on the front I've powder coated the UCA and LCA and just swapped in '70 Bonnie disc brakes. So I'm interested in how the rear arms/bar go in. I put in a new rear end a few years back so I know at least the bolts will come out easily!!