Suspension upgrade for my 75 TA

[Taman]

I just dropped my 75 TA at Heidt's Hot Rod Shop in Wauconda,IL yesterday for their Front subframe and rear 4 link suspension. It's a complete bolt in for first and second gen F-bodies. Camaro's were never a problem but now Pontiac's will have a true bolt in suspension using a Pontiac engine and trans. The front is a complete subframe with: coil over front shocks, rack and pinion steering, front swaybar, tubular a-arms and Wilwood front disc brakes. The rear has a 4 link setup with a panhard rod and swaybar. The TA currently has a Hotchkiss TVS setup. The car handled well but I think the modern subframe assembly will be no comparrison.
Until the 2009 Power Tour I was only interested in going in a straight line fast but, they had this autocross sourse setup in Madison. I had my buddies 200 Vett setup for road racing, and I was hooked. My TA runs 11.50 so the straight thing is handled. Now I also want to do that well in a autocross course. Drag racing is cool but only lasts 11.50 seconds. I get 60 seconds in autocross. Longer if I do as well as my first time out.
The install is supposed to appear in High Performance Pontiac in the Spring. Here is the link to the suspension:
http://www.heidts.com
Pages 34 and 36.
Can't wait for this spring to put some serious miles of abuse on the TA and I do beat the snot out of it! Tire companies love me.

[T_Raven]

Cool, post some pics. Whatcha gonna do with the TVS parts?

[LeighP]

Cool stuff...always like to see Pontiac stuff being done...especially 2nd gen Firebirds.

[Taman]

Going to sell everything. Stock Ralley 2 with tires. Frame, front end parts, everything that comes off. Frame is off a rust free Cakifornia car. Have to save for the 18" tires and rims.

[bochnak]

Didn't realize Heidt's had a shop there. Used to work right over there.

Good luck with the build.

[Taman]

Matt maybe we could hookup next spring at a cruise night.

[bochnak]

Matt maybe we could hookup next spring at a cruise night.


Sure thing. Aren't you located down state?

[Taman]

No. Just north of Elgin. I go to Barrington on Thursdays. Buona Beef in Hoffman Estates on Mondya's.

[bochnak]

No. Just north of Elgin. I go to Barrington on Thursdays. Buona Beef in Hoffman Estates on Mondya's.

Oh, OK. I have some family out that way.

[Taman]

Well it's finally happening. My TA is almost finished. Here are a couple of pics of the new and old. First few pics are the new frame and a arms unpainted. My TA should be finished in 2 weeks. Just in time to sit for the rest of the winter.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/bodyoff-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Aarms-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Frame-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Newframe-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/bodyoff-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/oldframe-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Passside-1.jpg

[Taman]

Well my TA has finally left the body shop. The suspension is installed. Now it is at Performance Restorations. Brent Jarvis is setting the suspension up and aligning the front end and setting ride height.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/06/photo-1.jpg
Photo courtesy of Robert McGaffin.

[srh3trinity]

Very nice. The stance looks great and nice wheel choice. When you put it through it's paces, give us a review.

[qnitro]

Looks great, I will be starting my T/A when I wrap up my Lemans..I will be hit'n you up :)


Well my TA has finally left the body shop. The suspension is installed. Now it is at Performance Restorations. Brent Jarvis is setting the suspension up and aligning the front end and setting ride height.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/06/photo-1.jpg
Photo courtesy of Robert McGaffin.

[formula]

oh yes sir. I LOVE it.

[Doug1]

Sweet! Another bad ass 2nd gen. I'll be there shortly...

[LeighP]

nice....love the stance.

[tazzz25906112]

Very cool car and love the stance too....

[cdoggy81]

cool!

[Taman]

Thanks. The TA didn't look like that when I bought it 17 years ago. Maybe in another 17 it will be done. Unfortunately, it needs to be raised an inch. My primary tubes are only an inch off the ground. I will have that corrected by the end of the Summer.

[Taman]

Here's a link to a video of my TA having some fun. Might have to hit play a couple of times on the first one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKEDPuKNofQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4hlIeToDmM

[LeighP]

Thats great! I do like the way it doesn't get all out of shape when you get on it from a rolling start....looks like its set up nicely, and it sounds great, too.

[srh3trinity]

Sounds healthy!

[NOT A TA]

Nice vids!

[PonchoJohn]

That Pontiac sounds AWESOME!!!
Now that's what I call a U turn... Pontiac style!

[CruizinKev]

MOAR sounds good!!! :twothumbs

[Taman]

Yeah I was doing about 15 when I hit it. Left 220 feet of burnout marks.:bananna2:

[Zee]

How did I miss this? I have some questions. Did you go with the 9" rear or did they adapt the 4 link to your old rear? What kind of wheel travel to you have with the 4 link? I like the set up but that upper arm looks very short. What rack is used and how does it feel compared to your previous set up?

[Taman]

Zee. I will be autocrossing at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates next Sunday the 9th and the 15th in Milwukee at Miller Park. Stop by for a ride.
I used my 12 bolt Chevy rear. The brackets were welded to the housing. I am not sure what brand rack is used. I sent Heidts an email asking about the rack. Wheel travel. It is at least 3". Not sure. I asked that also. I know I never get close to bottoming the suspension out. I think my frame would hit first. I love the 4 link setup. I hooked too hard at the dragstrip. Had a tough time getting up on the slicks. Had to run more air in the slicks than before. The ride quality is awesome. I had the Hotchkis TVS setup which is drop springs and swaybars. The Hotchkis setup was pretty good. The only complaint was it was a little bouncy. I did have 255/60/15 and 275/60/15 so that probably didn't help. Coilovers are a way better setup. My TA rides more like a new Vet than a mid 70's car. Ground clearance is an issue with my current headders. This will be fixed this winter.

[Zee]

Cool, I very well might just stop by next weekend for motivation. Tri-Y's are being produced again for your application. Ground clearance is awsome.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/TriYs002-1.jpg

[Taman]

Who makes them and how much do they run? Are they for Round Port heads?

[Zee]

Here is a link to a very lengthy discussion about the headers. I would just skip to the end. The short story is a guy named Ron (tunnel port) commissioned Dougs to make a set of 50 headers for him based on the tri-y headers made by HO racing back in the 80s. This was Ron's first business attempt and Dougs gave him nothing but hassles but the headers were first rate. Thick flanges and heavy guage tubing with great fit and clearance. Well, the first batch was so successful that he wanted to make some more. This time with different size primaries, port configuration and collector sizes. You could probably guess that that got to be a mess real quick. To make matters worse, Ron had some health issue and went MIA taking a bunch of deposits with him. Fast forward 2-3 years, Ron shows up, appologizes to everyone and to make things right, is producing the headers for all whom he took deposits from. There is some risk here as there is with any custom parts but it turned out well for me.

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472026

His name is Ron Watt and he can be reaced at: [email protected] If I find a better way to contact him, I will let you know. Tell him Formula8 sent you. I paid like $475 uncoated for them 3-4 years ago. That is a steal for a custom set of headers IMO. Ron makes both round and D-port headers.

[Taman]

Well I finally raced her. I didn't finish dead last. Big improvement. After driving a car that actually handles, I can see how I am in some need of some seat time. I had so much fun it was sick. Met a couple pro touring guys. And didn't brake anything. Here are some long overdue pics taken by Andy Seipos.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSC_6920-1.jpg
There were a lot of cars lifting the left rear tire on this turn. My TA stayed flat.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSC_7098-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSC_7052-1.jpg
Racing again this Sunday. Can't wait. Hopefully it doesn't rain this time and my kid keeps his hand in the car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSC_6969-1.jpg

[Zanie]

It was good to meet you Chris. That was a ton of fun, especially in the afternoon when things dried up.
You can thank me for making the rain stop, I drove over to the mall at lunch and bought a rain poncho!

[Taman]

I will be racing again this Sunday at the Sears Center. Can't wait.

[SoonerTA]

WOW...Your car sounds and looks amazing! You have done an amazing job! I wish my TA could handle like that.

[Taman]

I have had my car 17 years and it took that long to get it to handle and look like that. Heidt's suspension is inexpensive and works great. Here's my TA at the autocross at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates,IL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0VIkyYqroI