Suspension?

[trans am kid 17]

I have a 1979 Trans am and am wondering what the best/ cheapest suspension upgrades. Im looking for about a 2" drop and looking to autocross. Any help?

[andrewb70]

Welcome to the forum. We have a ton of information available, so my first suggestion is that you search. There are also numerous 2nd gen f-body builds being documented in the Project Updates forum.

Andrew

[srh3trinity]

What is your budget. I have a 74 firebird and researched every setup out there from upgraded leafs to full frame setups. Budget ranges from 1k up to 15-20k.

[Rod]

welcome, you should look around the forum and read some build threads look up some suspension upgrades....and the words best/ cheapest really dont go with suspension upgrades... I dont want to be to rude but.....and if you think you can auto cross with the best/ cheapest suspension upgrades and be a winner, I would like to know about it, I think many have tried

[trans am kid 17]

Yea i figured out that it wasnt really cheap once i started looking through my books and the forums. Lol but my budget is probably around $2500 for now. Im thinking some drop leafs for the rear and coils for the front and save up for tubular control arms from Detroit Speed, but besides that the bill keeps climbing. The car is a work in progress so i can upgrade as i go. I just dont know where to start.

[Rod]

I would get rear leafs and front coils and a front sway bar to start, that's you're biggest bang for the buck, I also would get them all from the same company, I started my own build the same way, you will be happy with that start, and a good set of shocks for 2500 you can do well

Leafs about 400 bucks
coils about 200 bucks
sway bar 250 bucks
shocks.......500 bucks

that's a good start

[Skip Fix]

"Leafs about 400 bucks
coils about 200 bucks
sway bar 250 bucks
shocks.......500 bucks

that's a good start"

Agreed. Plus GOOD tires/wheels. They make as big a difference as anything

The 79 TA already has a decent sway bar package 1 1/4" front, 5/8" or 3/4" rear depending if it is a WS6. So springs and shocks the best bang for the buck first with tires and wheels. Also being sure all your subframe bushings are in good shape, as well as A arm bushings,rear spring bushings, tie rod ends,centerlink, idler arm. Maybe some subframe connectors esp if a T top car.

Then as others said 4 links, new front subframes,total frames if money is no object. Unless you are a hard core racer doing track times looking for that last 1 second lap time I doubt you would notice much difference between that and a good matched system using leaf springs.

And once you get it handling you need to be sure the oil pan is upgraded to keep oil where it should,especially if a Pontiac motor.

[BMR Sales]

Yea i figured out that it wasnt really cheap once i started looking through my books and the forums. Lol but my budget is probably around $2500 for now. Im thinking some drop leafs for the rear and coils for the front and save up for tubular control arms from Detroit Speed, but besides that the bill keeps climbing. The car is a work in progress so i can upgrade as i go. I just dont know where to start.



We also offer a killer Torque Arm rear suspension kit for 67-81 F-bodys with 10/12 bolt rearends & a kit including a Ford 9" bare Strange housing for $600 more. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a Pro-Touring member here completed with our Ford 9 in. kit in his 1973 Firebird:

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80483-BMR-Torque-Arm-Installed-on-my-73-Firebird/page2&highlight=TORQUE+ARM

The owner of the 73 Firebird made the following comments to us:

“I've put 4000 miles on it and drive it at every possible opportunity. No track time yet due to other commitments but there is always this spring. I still have to play with the shock settings to soften up the launch, it is just incredible how the car reacts from the factory setup. The rear stays planted no matter if it's in the corners or straights. I've had ZERO issues with the entire setup, I'm EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. I hope to get some auto-x & road course time this spring.”

I still can't thank you all there enough for everything, the kit really changed the car into a ride that I truly enjoy driving.”


Our entire 67-69 suspension system was recently showcased on Two Guys Garage as well:

http://youtu.be/n60dENFWPFY