Drag to Pro-Touring

[rawpwr7]

I have a 67 Firebird that is currently a drag race car and was thinking on making a PT car. Other than suspension and big wheels what else might i need to change???

[chet]

transmission? You prob has an auto now. Not that it won't work but most use a 5 or 6 spd.

[eville]

Some details about what your current setup would be helpful. If all your after is looks, that's one thing. If you want the p/t performance, well... suspension and wheels are just the beginning.

[rawpwr7]

462 poncho, turbo400, trz uca/lca, calvert split monos w/caltracs.
can I still use the rear suspension???

[indyjps]

im doing the same thing. depends on how your car was set up. you should have a good rear end already, depending on how steep the gears are they may need to be changed, if you have a spool get rid of it. brakes are another concern, a drag race only front brake set up wont be very useful. is the car tubbed? is the rear narrowed? you could get away with swapping cams in most drag engines but youll need to watch compression unless its a track only car.

[rawpwr7]

im doing the same thing. depends on how your car was set up. you should have a good rear end already, depending on how steep the gears are they may need to be changed, if you have a spool get rid of it. brakes are another concern, a drag race only front brake set up wont be very useful. is the car tubbed? is the rear narrowed? you could get away with swapping cams in most drag engines but youll need to watch compression unless its a track only car.

I have a stock built 10-bolt(just waiting for it to blow up)with a 3.36gear, spool and c-clip eliminators. Dse Mini-tub. Comp is a little high 12.5cr. I also have an lsx 408 i could put in with a t56 to make thins a little funner.

[6'9"Witha69]

Ditch the spool, add brakes, suspension and rims. The LSx and T56 would make it a lot better as well. Once that is done look at seats as it isn't fun to go around a corner when you are thrown into the door.

[Steve1968LS2]

I only had to change the complete suspension and drivetrain.. no problemo.. lol

[USAZR1]

I only had to change the complete suspension and drivetrain.. no problemo.. lol

Ditto.

[rawpwr7]

what type of rear suspension would work

[MonzaRacer]

Honestly give air ride Technologies a look see they have a bolt in setup that will make it a kick in the a$$. Why dump the Pontiac its a puller and you should not need any super deep gears. Get rid of the spool, orderup a set of heads to cut compression.
nothing wrong with the Th400.(if it has a manual VB swap it for a more street oriented unit) get rid of the transbrake if you have one and give one of the big companies a chance to set you up with a good converter.
Or you could swap out the 400 for a 4l60e and get a paddle shifter. JB makes blowproof SFI rated bellhousings and make different trannys fit different engines.
dont bash the 10 bolts as friend of mine raced a 64 Tempest in 11.5 class with a 400 poncho and hardly ever broke a part (and this was a Crane superflow headed high compression engine that got rpmed very high, and a muncie trans slammed every shift and it was a record holder).
If I remember the Joysey car that ran in one of the 10 in tire race classes a few years back and the car ran a 10 bolt (Camaro).
I have seen some real hard hitters with 10 bolts of both sizes (8.2 and 8.5) and with good prep they do hold up.
Good luck

[TLWiltman]

what type of rear suspension would work

Depends on your budget... Check out these guys 3-link
www.lateral-dynamics.com
Well liked on this site, I've had nothing but square dealings with them (Mark & Matt), and they genuinely love what they do.

[rawpwr7]

thanks

[68Formula]

You could even stay with the 400 and add a Gear Vendors Overdrive. A 4L80e is pretty strong and can be converted to a paddle shifter.

[MonzaRacer]

oh amcmike has a sweet idea.
As for me the gear vendors and the th 400 would work as long as it isnr too rough a shift.
A manual auto is a sweet piece as you pick the gear.
The reag gears are decent. As for the 10 bolt blowing I dont think so not if its done right.
One thing is get as big a brakes as you can on it some good wheels/tire and look over the frontend set up for handling mods later on.
The Caltracs you might even be able to keep, its worth a try.
Several guys I know drive them every day and use same size tires all the way around if get my drift.
The compression is gonna kill you, so if you have closed chamberpistons maybe look at some modded aluminum heads with more open chanber, switch to a full closed loop FI set up with a knock sensor. Where are youlocated? If you have a local gas dealer with E85 a fella around here has been using it as a secondary fuel octane boost ( he mad a custom udual injector set up for cheap and it works) or if its a toy only get ricks to make you a stainless 22 gallon tank and simply run E85 if available in your area.
good luck ,post picks and keep building.

[andrewb70]

Just throw some 20s on it...Your good to go..

Andrew

[oestek]

Interesting thread! Does the car have a cage in it?

We're following a build on a '70 Trans-Am that's going to attempt to do both tasks.. an aluminum 800 +/- HP 500"+ Butler motor with a Fogger, minitubs, watts-link rear, Global West front suspension, TH400 with a Gear Vendor. It's called "Splitter" 'cause of its split drag / road course personality. SCCA / NHRA approved cage. We'll post some video next week of the beginnings. Time will tell if the car can actually do it, but it's going to get thrashed on both tracks. We'll be following this thread to get some ideas!