Novice Looking for mild A body (GTO) suspension...What to get

[erikgto]

Hello Guys,

I'm new to the PT forum. Normally I'm on the PY Pontiac forums, but not much PT info there.
Never had severely modified suspensions on my cars.
Except an LT1 equipped '79 El Camino with tubular uppers and Monte Carlo SS steering box (was a really nice ride)

3 Years ago I started disassembling my matching number '70 GTO convertible for a frame off,
The project got put on hold and now I'm undecisive as what to do with it....

I didn't like the 3.55 rear without an overdrive, so I'm going for an OD trans which means it won't be factory stock any longer.
Also didn;t like the steering with the stock box, too much turns to be made in a corner.
Ride was ok, with discs in front and new bars front and rear plus someone has changed the springs to some pretty stiff ones.

But I think I can do better.
So I'm looking to buy a QR steering box, upper and lower arms in front and maybe something for the back with some Bilsteins.
Brake upgrades may be done later on.

What I DO want is to keep it relatively comfortable. It'll be a cruiser not a road racer so I don't want to rattle the fillings out of my teeth....

Can't decide what brand I shoud get; SPC, UMI or Speed Tech.
I want a simple bolt on package, so the SPC upper arms seem a bit over the top to me.
Also don't know what type of bushing is easiest to maintain and gives a reasonable comfort level.

Last thing, I want to be able to buy it and have it shipped pretty soon. Don't want to wait weeks/months.

Any advice and experieces you guys could share will be appreciated!

Here's a pic of the car 6 years ago...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/pontiacgtocabrio1970015-1.jpg

[UMI Performance]

Welcome to the PT forums! You will find a ton of information here and a lot of helpful members willing to share all their knowledge. It really is a great forum. Oh and awesome looking GTO as well.

I want to thank you for including UMI in your choices, we really appreciate that! Ramey who is our suspension expert here is going to reply to this thread and hopefully supply you with some knowledge to help you not only make a good choice but to understand what you need to acheive the goals you want from your pro-touring project.

I am anxious to see what you choose and what that Goat looks like with it installed :)

Thanks again,
Ryan

[BMR Sales]

So I'm looking to buy a QR steering box, upper and lower arms in front and maybe something for the back with some Bilsteins.

I agree Erik, the steering box is just as important to update on the GM A-Bodies as the suspension. Bilstein makes the best cruising/non-adjustable shock for sport driving out there.



What I DO want is to keep it relatively comfortable. It'll be a cruiser not a road racer so I don't want to rattle the fillings out of my teeth....

For sport feel and comfortable ride you want to use poly bushings.


I want a simple bolt on package, don't know what type of bushing is easiest to maintain and gives a reasonable comfort level.

I would suggest our Level 1 kit which comes with poly bushings that are easy to maintain with the correct non-petroleum based grease.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/HPP010R-1.jpg



Last thing, I want to be able to buy it and have it shipped pretty soon. Don't want to wait weeks/months.

We should have everything in stock ready to ship to you.




We have a Level 2 kit that works great on these cars as well

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/HPP012R-1.jpg

Here is a install article that the folks at Chevy Hi Performance did on our Level 2 kit:



http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...l/viewall.html

[dhutton]

I am running SPC uppers and lowers, AFX spindles and steering arms, SPC springs, a DSE steering box, Hotchkis Bilstein shocks, Currietrac rear arms, Hotchkis rear frame braces, and Hellwig front and rear sway bars on my GTO. Ride quality is great, not harsh or rough at all.

I'm not a suspension engineer but I think greasable delrin bushings will give a smoother ride than poly bushings that have a reputation for binding and squeaking. I want the springs and shocks to determine my ride, not the bind of my bushings. Just my opinion....

SPC upper arms are no more complex than other arms. Instead of adding shims to set camber and caster you simply turn the adjusting sleeves to accomplish the same thing.

[UMI Tech]

Hey Erik.

Greetings from the USA. We would be thrilled to have another international customer. This seems to be international week, as we've shipped to Italy, Norway and have Australia and Cyprus on deck!

The trick to comfort of the three bushing choices we offer is using polyurethane. The poly has some softness as compared to our Roto-Joint and especially a rod end style suspension. And poly is a good upgrade in performance as compared to worn out rubber.

By doing any lowering, we can improve the geometry of the front end. We can also add tall ball joints to further improve the front end geometry. The tall ball joints in conjunction with our upper a-arms' caster correction we can get a front end to feel pretty nice, work well and most importantly- bolt right on.

Here is an example of our premium Stage 2 kit with polyurethane bushings.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_254&products_id=587

We can mix and match components to get exactly the ride and handling you want, such as shock optimization, adjustability, etc.

Here is a UMI car with a bit more lowering but still very similar to yours:

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=62371&stc=1&d=1343313079

The ride and handling is firm and precise yet still comfortable for daily driving.

We are the direct manufacturer and would be able to ship a large kit like this within approximately 7 business days from receipt of order.

I can also help you with a steering box upgrade from a partner manufacturer who specializes in direct bolt on, premium performance boxes.

Let us know your thoughts.

thanks

ramey

[rockytopper]

QUOTE "I want a simple bolt on package, so the SPC upper arms seem a bit over the top to me."

I believe that will be your first mistake IMO. I'm running almost the same setup as dhutton has discribed above as far as springs, shocks and arms I am very pleased with the results.

[shep]

I would go for a Lee box with the Rack and Pinion feel, guts or what ever he does to them. Next I would call Marcus at SC&C and discuss your goals with him he will give you all the information to make an informed decision whether it is using his parts or not.

[Simmo]

Having spent another couple of hours on the phone today, I vote this guy

http://scandc.com

[T-CHRGD]

Having spent another couple of hours on the phone today, I vote this guy

http://scandc.com

People from New Zealand know what they're talking about !!


Definitely give Mark a call. 610-346-8154
or Email him at: [email protected]
John from SC&C

[Simmo]

People from New Zealand know what they're talking about !!


I like to think so lol.

Hope that storm went through without any majors, you guys even made the 6 o'clock news over here so hows that!

[erikgto]

Hi guys,

Thought I'd give an update to this thread.

Over the last few weeks I finally got going again on my GTO project, I rented a bigger shop so I finally have some room to work on it.
And I finally made up my mind and ordered my suspension parts this week.
Here's the set-up;

SC&C Touring Package which is the Stage 2 Plus pack with Pro-Lite upper arms and Nascar ball joints
For shocks Classic D red Koni's (as opposed to the Bilsteins after talking to Marc about them)
SPC lower control arms
The Hellwig front and rear bars
SPC springs
UMI rear control arms with the Roto Joints for the relatively best comfort/smooth ride
UMI rear control arm reinforcement brackets
Lee 670 12.7 to 1 steering box to go with my stock p.s. pump

Haven't made up my mind on the brakes yet. The GTO has factory discs/drums right now and although I'd like a big brake setup I also like to be able to run my factory Rally II wheels.

I'll be starting a built thread pretty soon,

Erik

[UMI Tech]

Looks like a pretty awesome start. Thanks for including UMI in your project!

ramey