77 Trans am budget drag suspension

[K77t/a]

Hello,

I am a newbie here and have a 77 trans am that I am looking to setup for the street/strip. Currently it is all stock with a sbc 350 making about 350 hp and no suspension modifications. I want to make it a nitrous car in the future and I plan to start taking it to the strip once the weather improves and was looking for suspension setup ideas? I was thinking of trying to keep it a leaf spring car because it seems like the cheapest route to go. I have been looking into calvert racing and like the caltracs and have read good reviews on their products but was just looking for more ideas... I want the car to have a aggressive lowered look as well. I plan on using 275/60/15 drag radials in the rear. Thanks

[WSSix]

Welcome to the site! I think you're on the right track with your rear suspension desires. I would also recommend while you're working on the rear suspension that you build the rear end up to handle launches on drag radials. You'll want to weld the axle tubes to the carrier housing after getting the tubes squared. You might consider replacing the axles themselves for stronger units, and get yourself a structural diff cover like offered by TA Performance.

Good luck.

[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by K77t/a

Hello,

I am a newbie here and have a 77 trans am that I am looking to setup for the street/strip. Currently it is all stock with a sbc 350 making about 350 hp and no suspension modifications. I want to make it a nitrous car in the future and I plan to start taking it to the strip once the weather improves and was looking for suspension setup ideas? I was thinking of trying to keep it a leaf spring car because it seems like the cheapest route to go. I have been looking into calvert racing and like the caltracs and have read good reviews on their products but was just looking for more ideas... I want the car to have a aggressive lowered look as well. I plan on using 275/60/15 drag radials in the rear. Thanks

You can build a 4-link quite economically & it will be the best suspension for drag racing. I suggest you make your own 4-link kit ... and use individual brackets. With that low-ish level of power, you need the top links to lift & plant the tires with all the leverage they can.

Purchase brackets that will place the multiple top link holes in a range of 5-7" above the rear axle centerline. Use similar (or the same) brackets for the lower links to place the multiple lower link holes in a range of 5-7" below the rear axle centerline. Make sure you can run your lower links close to level in one set of holes & downhill (going forward) in other sets of holes.

For a baseline set-up, run the lower links slightly downhill to the front (0.5-1.5° downhill) & place the top links to achieve an instant center about 54" in front of the rear axle centerline. From there, you can test & tune with top link angle to find where the car is really happy on the launch.

[K77t/a]

Thanks for the replies!

[ONEBAD78TA]

Here is a pic of my car with the suspension and the wheels and tires Kyle .

[K77t/a]

Thats a great looking car !

[Fitz78ta]

Hi Kyle

Great to see you on here! I agree you are on the right track buddy!

[K77t/a]

haha thanks Jason