68 Firebird Budget Suspension

[dobie6982]

Ok so I have researched this until I am blue in the face. I am asking for your guys experience and opinions. I have a 68 Firebird with a stock suspension. I just rebuilt the control arms with polyurethane bushings about two years ago. I am just wanting it to handle the road a little better. I might auto cross once or twice a year. It is for the most part a daily driver. I have a Pontiac 400 with Edelbrock heads and a T56. I am going to try the guldtrand mod along with new springs. At this moment new control arms are not in the budget. Do you have any advice you can share with me.

[hotrodneb]

only help I got.....a question I asked that got an answer from Dave Pozzi himself

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...ht=#post954750

[dobie6982]

Hotrodneb,
Thanks for the link. I am guessing you still have not got to test the upgrades to see if they work. That's is pretty close to how I am wanting to set mine up. On a side note I have been watching you build. I am really wanting to see how your bumper mods turn out. It is something I have been thinking about doing with mine.

[RobNoLimit]

Years ago (like 25) I built a 68 bird for a driver. I did all of the typical 1rst gen mods of the day. Still not that great. - now, there are better parts avail today, but at a price. One day I was in my shop prepping a 2nd gen clip to go into a 57 chev p/u, and then I thought, I should put one of these under the 'bird. So, I found a 2nd gen clip and gave it a shot. With the motor/trans out, and a box of new 2nd gen urethane bushings, It took me less than a day to fit the 2nd gen clip in place. There was a bit of cutting and welding, but with the old clip out, and the two side by side, it wasn't too tough. Steering connection took two Borgeson U-joints. Run new brake lines, use the same motor mounts. Back together, with all used parts, it was already better than ever. Factory disc, front steer p/s (more header room) and more parts avail. Eventually I upgraded with all rebuilt arms (rubber, PST suspension - remember 25 yrs ago) a 1/14" Hellwig sway bar, KYB shocks, and cut big block springs. I know this an odd approach, but it worked great, in a day when there was no aftermarket support, and it was low $$. - Please don't shoot the messenger!

[mikewoods]

I was on the same road about 6 months ago. My Firebird was in dire need of a steering and suspension refresh, but I didn't (and still don't) have the money to buy a complete system. I was looking to improve road manners and lower the ride height but did not want to do the gulstrand mod at this time. Down the road I will I was able to piece together a disc brake system and front end components using various OEM replacement parts and some aftermarket upgrades to correct the steering geometry. I would have liked to replace the sway bars as well, but it wasn't in the cards this time, they're next.

Below is my list with part numbers I hope it helps.

Description Part Number Brand

Inner TRE ES681N Moog
Outer TRE ES381RL Moog
Idler Arm *K6099* Moog
Tall Upper BJ 101-1006 ProForged
Lower BJ K5103 Moog
UCA bushings K5196 Moog
LCA Bushings K6076 Moog
Sway Bar Bush K5227 Moog
Swaybar Link kit K5252 Moog
Coil Springs 6308 Moog (1 1/2 coils cut for ride height)

[dobie6982]

Rob,
I wish I had the time, tools, and skills to try that. I have thought about it though. To bad cameras were not as abundant as they are now. i would to see some pictures of the mods you had to make.

Mike,
I have been following your build as well. The good news is I replaced all of my steering parts with Moog when I replaced the bushings and ball joints. I am looking at Pro Forged .50 inch upper balljoints though. The brakes on mine are work surprisingly well for stock disc/drum set-up. I will be looking to upgrade those in the future as well. You can never stop to fast. The difficult decision for me is the springs and getting the right height. How did it change the ride quality when you cut the springs?

[BMR Sales]

When doing a Suspension on a Budget, it is easy to think that you can grab a Cheap to do an Upgrade. Unfortunately too many make the mistake of Buying a Part because it is cheap. Most of the time those Cheap Parts come from China and are made like Crap! There are plenty of good companies like ours that make Quality Parts in the USA

Your Ideas are Good to Start with the Guldstrand Mod with New Springs (we just introduced our line of Front Springs), I would also do a New Front SwayBar. These are easy and fairly inexpensive.

T.C.

[mikewoods]

My old springs were so old and worn out that I'm afraid a stack of tuna cans would have been an improvement.

The Moog 6308 springs are a Z/28 replacement (380lb spring rate) that are supposedly 3/4 of an inch lower than the non Z/28 suspension. I put 2 inch blocks in the rear so I needed the front a little lower as well.

I'm anxious to see some photos of your car. Welcome to the Pro-Touring.com Firebird Club!