Im hooked,but need help.

[korb]

hello guys, im new here, proud owner for 10yrs,of a 69 Firebird ,last weekend me and my son did a autocross ,and were hooked. now besides running a 17inch wheel, the suspension is stock,it drove like a boat but had fun with her, but after seeing track prep vintage cars run, im not even close. SO, its time to make some changes, ive hunted the web and come up with a plan, ridetech stage 2 front and rear,coilover kit,with frnt and rear swaybars,$5200.00. new wheels and bfg rivals, $2500. subframe connectors, etc..I don't have a problem spending the money, but im concerned, is there other options?? the car has intro show wheels with 225/50/17 up front,wich hasn't hit in 50k miles until I thru her around the track.rear255/50/17 also hit. it is lowered 1 inch all the way around. some advice would be helpful,im in south central pa, looking to hook with some guys that have made the upgrades.thanks for you help.

[Gil]

Welcome ! Nice plan !

17x8 BS 4.75 -235/45R17 front & 17x9.5 BS 5.5 - 275/40R17 rear is possible but better to check for your car
50 sidewall is too much when you shake her !
Gil

[hotrodalex]

Aren't there more tires options for 18" wheels?

I think Rivals only go up to 255 in 17".

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

For a "mid" size 17 tire also consider Dunlop Z2's for autocross. They stick like a mofo.

If you've got the money, I'd go ridetech all the way.

However, I think you'd be amazed at the difference going from a stock suspension to rebuilt control arms, tall ball joints, stiffer (Hotchkis) springs, new steering linkage, and something like an IROC steering box. Of course the subframe connectors and sway bars you mentioned are also high on the list. This is very similar to the set up I have, and coupled with some BFG Sport Comp II tires, I couldn't be happier.

Just offering a few other options. :-)

[korb]

thank you guys, this is exactly what I need, info. little spooked on what im goin to put on it, due to the fact,its easy building a show car,but to put that same car on a track,and push its abilities, as far as possible, want to make sure its correct, and withstands the abuse, including choice of tire. please keep info coming.

[TheJDMan]

If you have decided to keep your stock subframe then I would go with a complete ridetech package front and rear. But before you jump in take a look at some of the after market subframes. They will provide some features that are difficult to get with the stock sub such as Rack & Pinion steering. What ever route you decide to go, buy from the vendors here on PT.com. DO NOT buy any suspension parts off ebay no matter how good the prices seem to be, you have no idea what you may get and it will likely cost more in the long run.

[Kcorrigan2]

You can't go wrong with ridetech. I would go coil overs all the way around. You can do a lot with single adjustable. The triple adjustables are awesome and if you really want to have maximum adjustability go that route...a bit pricey but worth it. I would also recommend checking out the ridetech true turn set up. That will allow you to run a 275 wide tire all around while further improving geometry. Try to run spindles with a KPI of 5-6 degrees and the same Caster. You can do a lot with this set up and the Ridetech guys are at almost every major event to chat with about tuning.
Now, if you decide that you simply must have the latest and greatest I would suggest looking at the new No Limit sniper front sub. This is all modern geometry and race technology wrapped up in a great package that feels awesome on the street or on the track. This is the setup I currently run in my 68 Camaro with Ridetech rear, and triple adj TQ coil overs.

[Skip Fix]

If you just want to have some fun and not worry about class winning think of some road race slicks. There are places that sell used qualifying tires for much cheaper than sticky street tires go for, and they stick a lot better also.

[korb]

ridetech is my choice, seems everyone is running it, with no complaints. Im trying to keep her front sub stock, reason is its a Firebird,&the nose of that car has many parts as far as its body, pain to get correctly lined up.now the front fenders are little diff than camaro, wheel &tire sizes.a good wheel, light but strong, tires, sizes . You mentioned a 275 all the way around? Im removing 225 50 17in front,&255 50 17 rear, that rubbed. I understand new susp syst will all but eliminate the roll of the car,275, do I need to mini tub rear? Or sub front for 275?

[korb]

Skip, trying to keep Pa legal, state inspection.i know I can bolt on a set at track, but being someone who just started, just drive it there&run it seems for now the way I wanna go.plus clubs that hold some of these runs limit me to so many mods before I have to bump to a more experience class of cars.slicks sound like a blast tho.

[Tomswheels]

Not to S____ on anyone's points but, the new 200 Treadwear Rival S is a beast, stickier than a lot of old slicks dudes are running. You can build your car slowly and piecemeal like I did, starting with subframe connectors, shocks, sway bars, and simply upgrading tires on your 17s, or if you commit the $$ and go all in with ridetech and 18 inch wheels, and Rival S tires, do everything you can to get the widest tire possible at all 4 corners. Either way remember the goal is to have fun. I've seen quite a few guys spend big $$, expect to win right away, and go away disappointed.

[TheJDMan]

You asked about Mini-tubs earlier. If you think you will want to run any tire bigger than 275's in the rear they will be a requirement. They are not technically difficult to install but you will need to know how to MIG weld if you install them yourself. If you install the ridetech 4 link you would be time and money ahead to install DSE Mini-tubs and DSE subframe connectors at the same time.

[korb]

Its not a win thing for me, it was a awsome day to spend with my son, he track marshal some of my runs,&video. He said it laid over like a boat,.Knowing some day the keys would be his, I think hes prodding me, to build him a fun runner.lol.I enjoyed my self, the way it was, to kick or slide the rear of her out and dent the firewall was a long time coming, but at a cost of wasting a full set of Kumhos.lol.either way its father, son time...and all money I spend is hopefully makin a safer ride for him someday.Thats why im tryn to get everyones imput, trust people that have done this.I really do appreciate everyones input.

[Skip Fix]

I have not run on the new Rivals so I can not comment comparing them to road race slicks, depends on the compound I guess.

One thing to also think of if only street and autocross is brake pad selection-the runs are too short in autocross to build the heat that track day pads see so you need one with a good cold rating also.

I ran CP with my 78 TA because of a cam change not allowed in ESP so jumped to slicks, drove on autocross compound tires swapped slicks to race, then swapped back to drive home. They were a big difference in handling. Autocross tires could still run fast but had some "drift factor" compared to the slicks. Tight fit to get 4 road race slicks in a TA!