Pro Touring Suspension

[mlcurl]

I guess the point is, first determine what it is you think you want the part(s) to do, select the part you want, contact the manufacturer, and have them, not me, not a competitor, answer your questions

I understand what you are saying about contacting the manufacturer but I have my doubts that any manufacturer will be completely honest about the shortcomings of their parts. For me, it is nice to hear some information and reviews of people who have the parts and use them on a daily basis in real world situations rather than on a skid pad testing them.

[JD'sTT55]

2nd Gen F bodies have reasonably good geometry to start with...they don't need near the extra components that the 1st Gen cars do to drive and handle well. We offer tubular control arms and a rebound adjustable coil over package for $1650. You can use up to an 18x10 wheel with a 6" backspace and a 275/35-18 tire with no fender mods.

Bret that is some info I've been searching for. Is that with a stock subframe and spindle? If so any idea what the ride height was from lca mount to the ground?? That is the direction I'm looking towards on the front end and am looking for a baseline ride height for the front so I can match my 3 link rear suspension ride height to match.
Thanks Jeremy.

[79-TA]

People, just read the page!

http://www.pro-touringf-body.com/control_arms.html

My point is: Will their design allow for improved alignment and performance like the Hotchkis stuff?

Yes, the Pro-Touring F-body arms offer a greater range of adjustability for static negative camber and positive caster.

[opnwide]

I have their upper arms on my car. Using stock lowers. I was really looking for improved geometry as I'm not tracking the car or anything, but its nice to have. I swapped a arms due to clearance issues with my ex. plumbing. I used around 1/16-1/8" of shims on mine. The old a-arms had 1/4"+ of shims, and the geometry was probably still not as good.

[SLO_Z28]

These arms are of the highest quality. I have them on my car, Ive had them on my car since PTFB first started making them. Ive never had any issues with them. They perform EXTREEMLY well. They allow you to run a tall ball joint, something that you absolutely want to run. I am able to get about 5 degrees of caster with no shims with these arms.

I would hold off until you have the money to purchase quality suspension components. Suspension, brakes etc. since you are intrusting your life and others with them. We never cut corners on these areas for that fact... there are other areas like pain, wheels, interior that you can trim cost here and there

This product isnt cutting corners, it has THE best design for bushings IMO.

They use VERY aggresive spring rates. I prefer the ride and overall handling of Hotchkis stuff personally

Do you even know what their rates are? I ask because I know, and I don't think you do.

[SLO_Z28]

I understand what you are saying about contacting the manufacturer but I have my doubts that any manufacturer will be completely honest about the shortcomings of their parts. For me, it is nice to hear some information and reviews of people who have the parts and use them on a daily basis in real world situations rather than on a skid pad testing them.

Talk to Dave at PTFB. You'd be surprised how honest and open he is. His product is a everyman product, and he will explain where it fits in, in the big picture. Its not the best stuff, but it is the best bang for your buck.

[opnwide]

I agree. Dave (never met him) seems to be in this for the love of it-not the money. F-bodies are his passion, and he has just come up with a few products that work well and at a nice price.

[mlcurl]

opnwide & SLO_Z28,

Thanks so much for chiming in. This is the type of post I was hoping for...good or bad from someone who actually uses the parts. I appreciate anyones input but it is nice to hear from someone who has them. I need all the help I can get because I come from the street rod & drag race crowd and this will be my first attempt at something that handles. Are you running the entire kit from PTFB or just the upper arms? I am considering the whole package with the sway bars. I want to step up from the stock suspension but I need to keep the budget in check on this build so bang for the buck is what I need.

[73ta]

I'll let you all know, after the winter. I have purchased virtually every part he makes for suspension in the Comp version for my TA. Total suspension rebuild. Have most of the parts in hand and they are of very good quality. Here's to the winter project!

[SLO_Z28]

opnwide & SLO_Z28,

Thanks so much for chiming in. This is the type of post I was hoping for...good or bad from someone who actually uses the parts. I appreciate anyones input but it is nice to hear from someone who has them. I need all the help I can get because I come from the street rod & drag race crowd and this will be my first attempt at something that handles. Are you running the entire kit from PTFB or just the upper arms? I am considering the whole package with the sway bars. I want to step up from the stock suspension but I need to keep the budget in check on this build so bang for the buck is what I need.

Call him on the phone, be sure what you want before you buy it, and he will sell you a complete matched kit that will perform. He can match sway bar and spring rates front and rear, get shocks valved to the springs, and offer THE best a-arms on the market. I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from him.

[SLO_Z28]

Not to derail too much, but where are you from in Lodi 73ta? I lived there for some time, dont think I ever saw the car at A+W or even around town? My parents still live in that sleepy town.

[musclecarmatt]

i have pretty much all dave's chassis bracing under my car........front bar and adjustable rear sway bars,G-braces,cowl brace,sway bar brace,subframe connectors,and solid body bushings.....top notch stuff and been running it a year and no problems at all......

[10Aniv]

Another satisfied customer of PTFB. Dave is great to talk to and we end up just bs'ing on the phone about cars. Not too many other places will do that. I know if I have an issue I can call and he will take care of it. So far all my suspension stuff is from him minus the coil overs. He actually recommended not getting them, and he sells them, but I really wanted them, maybe I will regret it later......

[73ta]

I've lived here all my life except for 4 years. I've had the TA since 1975. Been to the A&W a few times!

[LeighP]

I'm an agent for Dave (PTFB) in Australia, and I've used a large amount of his gear on my project.....haven't gone with the arms at this stage, but I've had long conversations on the parts.
Seems my take on it is the best solution is to use both upper and lower arms, as this will ensure the wheel centre line is correctly placed....as the arms deliver more caster by the top ball joint being further back and the lower ball joint being further forward (stated simply...I know theres more to it than that)....but thats how I interpreted what he said to me.
As to spring rates, Dave will be the first to tell you not to use too high a rate of spring on a road car....he told me he won't sell track/competiton rates to people for road use as it just doesn't work for a street driven car.
Very approachable guy who'll tell you what works and doesn't work......but he's a small operation and it can take a while to get the parts if they aren't on the shelf. I do know the economic downturn has made things difficult as it's put some of his suppliers and support services (powdercoaters etc) out of business, forcing him to track down new sources....all takes time.