Good budget 2nd gen suspension?

[TreySmith]

Can someone recommend some good parts on a budget? I would like the car lowered A LOT also. Should I just cut the front springs? How do you lower the rear? Not looking for a road race car, just want some thing that can handle with newer cars.


I would like the car to sit like this one and there is a pic of how high mine sits. Also does anyone know what wheels are on that car?

[BBC71Nova]

That's Dale Jr's '72 built by DSE. I've never seen where the wheels referred to by brand. I did see where they were "custom per DSE specs." Rushforth Livewires look pretty similar.

More info here.

John

[speedjohnston]

They might be Fikse Profil 5s?

[98ssnova]

Originally Posted by speedjohnston

They might be Fikse Profil 5s?

they are with a custom center cap

[TreySmith]

Yeah, those wheels don't look anywhere near that great to justify the price.. No wonder TT2's have been used to death.

Anyone have any suggestions for the suspension?

[ma73z]

Trey, I have a Hotchkis TVS Part# 80017 that I won't be using the only thing I have used are the rear springs for mock up, all other parts have laid on shelve. If interested make me an offer, I'd like it out of my garage

[TreySmith]

Sent you a PM, I really hope I can take it off your hands.

Anyone know what to do about the front suspension? I would like to tighten it up a lot.

[Warpath Pontiac]

On a budget trying to get that stance I think front and rear springs, front sway bar, a good set of shocks, rebuild the control arms, and a good alignment would get you were you want to be at with the car.

And that TVS kit would be great. You would just have to add shocks and parts to rebuild the front control arms.

[OLDFLM]

The Hotchkis TVS kit is a no brainer! PTFB also has an EXCELLENT budget setup that is great if you're looking to stick with leaf springs and stock control arms. http://pro-touringf-body.com/ I'd something along these lines if you can swing it! Nothing like a kit that's already been scienced out for you!

... if not... you can do a little at a time to get there on a budget... a PST front end rebuild kit to get that squared away... get some 550ppi front springs (HO Racing or Hotchis)... getting a 1 3/8" sway bar vs 1.25" = 36% more stiffness and then with some good tires (BFG KD) you're where you want to be in your OP. For that Dale Jr stance on a budget you'll have to cut your new springs and use a lowering block or pay for dearched rear springs... New springs can lower your front 1-1.5" and stock sagged rear springs worked well on my car though... cutting stock springs that low is just asking for trouble IMHO!

The actual/intended usage of the car will dictate the suspension settings...for "hot street" 1/2 deg neg camber and 4-6 deg pos caster with 1/16" toe in will get you the feel you want.

For brakes, you can get it to stop in 130-140 ft for $400... but if want under 120 ft stops it will take some bucks! Swap on a set of 12" B-Body brakes from the bone yard, install an adjustable proportioning valve, get a set of more agressive pads from Wilwood or Brute Stops from Raybestos.
The 12" brake upgrade is an easy and inexpensive swap using factory components but it's not 13+ rotors with sexy calipers ...

Checkout www.scarebird.com for rear disc brake options or swap in a WS6 complete rear with discs...

Budget shocks = Classic Red Konis will ride better AND corner better than KYBs but only by a little...

Budget option #1 for second gen 1 1/4" front bar front springs 700-740 lb/in
(1985 diesel S-10s drop in) stock rear springs and a 5/8" rear bar. Bigger rear bar will pick up the inside rear wheel on a tight hard turn or a really angled driveway. Bilsteins or Konis all around. Solid bushings.

Budget option #2 540-560 ppi front spring with 1-3/8" front sway bar and a 7/8" rear bar which IS too big for road race but OK for slalom/autocross as it makes it easier to get around the cones(power induced oversteer). The combo of the 1-3/8" front bar and 560ppi springs will give a better road ride than the 770s with about the same combined roll stiffness. On a high speed road course, the 770s would probably be better. Solid or Poly bushings all around and you can take some bite out of the rear bar by using rubber mounts. Put in as much pos caster as feasable... 3-3.5 is pretty good without modifying the upper control arm.

HTH

V/R,
Ty

[Hotchkis]

Hi Trey,

We recently worked with a customer on a car very similar to yours. He's the 2nd owner of a late '70s Firebird and was on a budget but wanted the car to sit low, handle like a modern machine and have an updated pro-touring look. We set him up with a TVS, including springs and sway bars. He went with 17" lace wheels from Year One and the car got a totally new look and fantastic handling for less than $2k.