how to get protouring effect for 79 firebird?

[thunderzy]

extreme newbie with 79 firebird. I want protouring look and performance. Would like to relplace entire front and rear suspension. who manufactures the best system for my car, with performance to dollar ratio. I would like to run at least 17" rims all around, or staggered wheel diameters. please help me.

[jy211]

what do you think your budget is???

[thunderzy]

under $1000, if possible

[Nicks67GTO]

Sorry man but youde be hard pressed to find good 17" wheels WITHOUT tires for $1000. Im just being honest....

[thunderzy]

im strictly concerned with the suspension components.

[79T/Aman]

you want the best right? well the best suspension, even at that price will be marginal at best unless you FIRST spend some money on the chassis and the best suspension is useless without good tires

[class67]

$1000...suspension You may need to save a little longer.

[thunderzy]

ok, ill spend more. I may have to break up the purchases between the front and rear suspension, but i must replace the existing system. tell me what I need. Which companies to research? which systems to look at? pleeeeaaassee!!

[NOT A TA]

Will the car be used for any type of track duties? Sunday driver? Daily driver?

[thunderzy]

mostly sunday drives. may attempt an open track day! More interested in street performance than anything else. Thanks for the Not A TA

[Skip Fix]

"Cheap" suspension that handles well to save for wheels. 1 1/4" factory front sway bar, urethane bushings and end links. Mid 80s diesel S-10 front springs around 700lbs/in. Global West's Del a lum bushings or cheaper AFCO stock car front A arm bushings. Rear stock springs maybe a lowering block if too high for wheels. 5/8" rear factory sway bar w/ good bushings.
Bilstein or Konis all around.
Maybe a B body 12" spindle 12" rotor brake setup for the front. Adjustable rear brake line proportioning valve to adjust for tire size driving style. Maybe a rear disc setup from Scarebird or a 79-81 TA. Not the best but works.

16x8 1988 or so Trans Am wheels GTAs if you can find them,IROC Z 28 wheels work too. 255-50-16 tires.

All those will make that Firebird handle well. Maybe upgrade tires wheels later down the road as money comes around. For track days buy some cheap wheels and then used road race slicks from John Berget. Nothing like a road race slick!

[neki67]

Have a look here if you want to look for some good looking wheels that don't break the bank; http://www.azawheels.com/z2.htm

There's a member here who recently bought a set for his 72 (?) Camaro.

[thunderzy]

wow, thanks alot fellas. thats helps a bunch. please keep it coming

[79T/Aman]

check www.groupawheels.com they have good deals on wheels as well

[Lowend]

From a friend at 2GCOG

17x8 and 17x9 55 bucks a pop. then get some sumitumos for 70 a pop and you have wheels and tires for around 600 including mount and balance.

cragar soft 8 jegs and summit sell them.

They are heavy steel wheels, but still better than stock and you can run real tires

[rohrt]

This may be a question you would want to post on Transamcountry.com, but my .02 would be to first do some research on what you have for suspension componets now. Do you have the 1.25 inch front sway bar? Do you have the rear sway bar on your car? Does it have rear discs? Do you have the quick ratio steering? Is it a WS6 suspension? If it is, I would first start by replacing the bushings with polygraphite or Delrin (did i spell that right?), their little gain with high priced fancy parts. These cars already handle great but you could always improve it. It realy depends on your definition of pro-touring. To me its a car that does all things well.

Second I would put 8" snowflake rims and good tires on it but I'm not a big fan of the aftermark rims on these cars, but If you plan on going with a bigger brakes then the shorter sidewalls of the 17s would be a big bonus.

Third I would save up for a 4speed automatic or 5 speed manual depending on your prefrence.

I'm more about engines then ultimate handling. I think the T/As are awsome cars. Post some pictures and I will give you more thoughts if you like.

[Skip Fix]

I may still have some HEAVY 16x10" wheels I autocrossed my Camaro with. 6 of them . Pay the shipping and they are yours!

[High Plains Mopars]

Before you can know where to go, you have to know where your at. Post up some specs of what you have now, sway bar sizes, shocks, springs if you know them, etc. Like rohrt said, you may already have some pretty good parts under there already.

Since it seems your on a pretty tight budget, the biggest single improvement you can make would be to tie the subframes together and stiffen up the chassis. This change alone can make a big difference in the feel of the car not to mention ride improvement all around, reducing squeaks and rattles and creating a foundation to build on later.

After that, larger diameter wheels and matching tires, especially if you already have good stock suspension under it. I'd avoid using 17" steel wheels as they weigh a ton and will compromise the handling characteristics the good tires will create. You can still get some decent 15" tires if you have some good wheels already, it just takes some shopping to find them.

After that, changes will depend on what you are starting with. Generally I'd say different springs and sway bars, bushings, steering boxes and such.

After that,

[Twentyover]

Lowend-

What wheels is that Camaro running? Look somethink like diamond racing, but I thoght they ran out of diameter at 16"


Edit- ignore this post- just saw the Cragar Soft * reference