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Need opinions on suspension/chassis setup plan

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  • #1

    Need opinions on suspension/chassis setup plan

    Well I got my hands on some cash earlier than I thought so I WILL be going to the meet and greet, but I've decided to do some upgrading on my 83 Trans Am. Here's my plan:

    I have ordered :
    > Edelbrock 3 point strut tower brace
    > Canuck Motorsports 1.6 front/rear lowering springs
    > UMI Performance Steering brace(wonder bar)
    Planning to order within a few days:
    > KYB GR2 struts & shocks

    I have already upgraded rear sway bar to whatever the 90 base bird has and may do same with front bar(from my parts car)
    And I am running non-stock 16" Hotwheels w/ 245/50/16 Avon tech M550 A/S tires(supposedly an Ultra High Performance All season at Tirerack)

    The things I'm not sure about are the strut brace which is specified for 85 and up Firebird. My car is an 83 TA, so I'm hoping I wont have a problem with installation. I have stock carb/intake w/functional CAI bulge hood. The application chart said it will fit 85+ carbed so I assume that it should fit or be easily made to fit.

    The CM lowering springs also concern me due to the 1.6 drop from stock. Will these cause rub problems?
    And the KYB GR2 struts/shocks(non yet ordered). Will they be ok with the 1.6 drop? They dont say whether they can be used on lowered setup's or not.

    Also after I replace a floor pan, I am going to fab up a frame system like I did on my 90 bird, so I wont have to buy sub-frame connectors.
    Tags: floor pan, meet and greet
  • #2
    The tires would worry me. . . If they sold them to you saying that they are Ultra High Performance or whatever, they sold you non Z-Rated tires for a performance car . . . just be careful how hard you push them!
    Nick H.
    Current MIFC Vice President

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    • #3
      Originally posted by 93formulalt1 View Post
      The tires would worry me. . . If they sold them to you saying that they are Ultra High Performance or whatever, they sold you non Z-Rated tires for a performance car . . . just be careful how hard you push them!
      Actually I have been pretty happy with them so far over the last year and a half, but I have wore them out in the short time they have been on.

      they are what you would consider a Z rated tire, but they have a W rating which is 168mph. I will probably never see that kind of speed so I feel comfortable with them. I do know they are WAY better than the BFG radial t/a's or the Kuhmo 711's which are both garbage in comparison. I am a spirited driver and these Avon techs have done excellent thus far. Just the wear that bothers me. But then again I cant really complain cause I knew they were only treadwear 360 when I bought them.
      They are rated AA/A 360

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      • #4
        Well, I think my tires did great on the Camaro, but as soon as I swapped them onto the Firebird, they stopped pleasing me. . . I get too much damned grip! The rear tires are slowly but surely losing tread, now there about 1/16 lower than the fronts, and I still can't squeal the tires . . . lol
        Nick H.
        Current MIFC Vice President

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        • #5
          it just sucks that manufacturers claim to have ultimate tire performance.. but never share the tire data...

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