Results 1 to 6 of 6
-
11-19-2020 #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Mar 2020
- Posts
- 2
Pro-touring 2nd gen TA with drift attitude
Hello!
I'm very thankful for the information I have acquired reading your discussions. The answer received much depends on the question asked, so I've been preparing to formulate the request for your advice for a couple of years of my Trans AM possession.
The car now is a '79 TA with LS1 (has 293hp to the wheels) and T56 which came off a '01 Firebird. Everything else is stock at the moment. Plans for the car: 85-90% daily street driven, 15-10% drifting (street, meets, occasional track practice). Maximum hp rating for the future is 500-550hp to the wheels (not soon), in case if I change the engine or upgrade the current one.
Question is in suspension - what can be good for drifting a solid axle? I gathered info on f-bodies that drift, and here's what I've found regarding rear suspension (though generations of cars are different).
Kelly Slides - 4th gen TA with 4th gen torque arm
Josh Mason - 1st gen Camaro with self fabricated torque arm
Mikko Viitala - 2nd gen Camaro with Competition Engineering 4link
Speedtech - drift 1st gen Camaro with a torque arm
Hansen - 2nd gen Firebird - leaf springs
Therefore I'm faced with deciding which rear suspension setup to go with: 3-link (torque arm / offset link), 4 link, or... yes, mad it may sound! Maybe swap Skyline's R33 IRS? (some used parts at deal-level prices seen around). Work being done by fellow mechanics.
I plan to do the rear first, because I want to be finally able to launch the car. With current old leaves and LS1 it's no use - wheel hop is massive, can't hook up. Regarding the front setup I will need to verify, if the stock subframe will allow to accomodate larger degree of wheel turn. Any advice here? Maybe keep the subframe stock, do the true coilovers, change arms and add rack and pinion? What are the major advantages of going with an aftermarket subframe, if I'm not planning to run very fat tires up front and apart from weight saving.
All input is highly appreciated! To sum up: the idea is a great handling 2nd gen, comfortable to drive, but with drift pedigree in it's dna. And on economically sensible budget.
-
11-22-2020 #2