1972 Pontiac LeMans

[Adam07]

I've had a 72 LeMans for 13 years, most of which the car spent in storage. Last year, I started working on it to get it roadworthy again. I started with a rebuild of the Pontiac 400, which with a modern CS130 alternator conversion and headlight relay install took up all of my project time last year.

This year, the focus was suspension and interior. Though I know some on here will berate me for this, I installed the Hotchkis TVS suspension system with Prothane polyurethane front control arm bushings and 1/2" taller upper ball joints. I've only driven the car around my block since the install, but I am more than satisfied with the initial results.

i also had some trials and tribulations getting the Dougs headers to fit, I posted a separate thread in the exhaust section for this.



I am currently installing a summit aluminum radiator and Derale electric fan setup. I also got a set of bucket seats from a 1970 GTO, and a Hurst ProMatic II shifter that I am working on as well. It won't really be a looker for a few years, but it will be a hell of a driver. I hope to have it back on the road in a couple weeks. I'll post more updates when I get closer.

[andrewb70]

Why would we berate you for using the Hotchkis TVS system? It is a solid alternative and will work much better than anything stock.

Looking forward to pictures.

Andrew

[Adam07]

Some pictures of the car. The car itself and engine install photos are from last year. Just last night I got the shifter bolted in. My focus at the moment is on the interior, once that is done I'll finish the wiring for the electric fans, install the radiator and electric fans, and then finish the exhaust.

Andrew, I spent some time on here perusing the suspension forums, and there are several people who are very vocal about their dislike of Hotchkis suspension. From what I was able to determine here and elsewhere is that the older Hotchkis rear trailing arms were subject to binding, but the newer ones use spherical bushings to prevent binding. I am very pleased with the initial results, but I've only driven the car around the block at 25 mph. Once I get it on the road and get some miles on the suspension, I'll be able to make a better evaluation. I suspect that for what I want to use the car for, I will be more than happy with the Hotchkis TVS. I think that for the money, when combined with poly bushings, it would really bring any GM A body up to modern standards.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Shoot.. berate?.. were not a group of Poncho purists on here that would break out the pitchfork

and if anything I always liked those Lemans BETTER than the gto of that year as the frontend looks MUCH nicer than the awkward GTO front..

Id like to see something like this done in Streetfighter trim.. lol!

[Gil]

Hi Adam,
Very nice car !

I also installed Hotchkis parts for my Bird for same reasons, my car won't be an hardcore autoX race car & budget is also short, so I choose race proven Hotchkis parts and I think I'll be more than happy for the money compared to stock...

More pics...

Gil

[Gratefuldiver]

Whoooooooo, Pontiac Power!!! Sorry to hear about the Dougs header trouble. I will have to go have a look at the tread.

[72LeMans]

Id like to see something like this done in Streetfighter trim.. lol!

I am in the process of building one......

[Roadbuster]

Great looking LeMans! I really like the color!

[Adam07]

I'll have to do a detailed update with photos soon, but the car is now drive able and licensed for the road!

[Adam07]

[Adam07]

So I did get the car on the road this fall, and after some tuning it is really fun to drive. 12 years ago (the last time I drove it), it used to float around the road on the 1972 vintage suspension. I am extremely happy with the Hotchkis TVS. I've only done normal street driving with it, so I can't evaluate from an auto cross or track perspective. The radiator, fans, and fan controller work really well together to keep engine temps around 190 degrees. The real test of the cooling system won't come until next summer, since it hasn't been over 60 degrees here once I got the car on the road.

I am really happy with the inclusion of the Innovate Motorsports MTX-L wideband A/F meter. It has been instrumental in getting the Holley 670 street avenger dialed in. It was too lean out of the box, 15.5-16.0:1 at part throttle cruise. I wouldn't have known that without the A/F meter. I also had to change the vacuum secondary spring to delay the secondaries a bit to eliminate a lean stumble.

I learned a lot about how to best set the ignition timing as well. I had it set initially to where it idled well after rebuild and didn't touch it again until recently. Initial was set at 12 BTDC, but revving the engine with vacuum advance removed revealed I was only getting 11 or so degrees of mechanical advance. I did include a Mr. Gasket mechanical advance tuning kit when I rebuilt the engine. Though I included the stiffest springs with the kit, I have a suspicion that at idle the engine is still getting some mechanical advance, leaving only 10-11 degrees while accelerating. Anyways, I set the timing to 34 degrees total (which results in 22-23 initial right now). After doing that, it was like I woke up a sleeping giant. The car was much more responsive at all throttle positions, and seems to get better gas mileage too.

Next for the car will be to replace the door panels and groom the interior. The shifter needs a little adjustment, the carpet could sit a little better, etc. Under the hood, it's got a couple small coolant leaks, and I need to connect the cold air intake. The major expense for 2015 will be a complete 2 1/2 inch dual exhaust system. The exhaust system right now is a *******ized combination of flex pipe, 2 1/4 inch pipe, and 2 1/2 inch pipe.

[Interceptor5588]

We all have to start somewhere. Nothing wrong with a Hotchkis system, they drive great. When/If you get serious enough to know that you need to throw $10,000 at the brakes and suspension, you will know it. We all have our priorities, and some of us have to check off one box at a time . . .