Good budget 2nd gen suspension?

[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.

[coolwelder62]

I wonder if Mary Pozzi heas that same song when she's driving her 2nd. gen camaro.

[TreySmith]

You guys are amazing, thanks for all the help so far everyone! My Mustang should be sold tomorrow time to start hunting for parts. Going to need some 18's to complement the stance though.