78 Grand Prix project

[deanlemans81]

hey guys, I got the Best Gasket graphite impregnated rope seat for my400. According to the guys at Butler Performance, it`s the best one to use.
Dean

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Looks to be a little slow in the Pontiac section! Here's a few small updates to what I've done lately.
-Got my intake back from being gasket matched and mildly ported.
-Finished painting my heads
-Painted the IROC 2.25 steering box & 34MM front sway bar
-Looked at the car sitting in the garage for awhile as I consumed adult beverages!

Went with the Edelbrock performer instead of the RPM. They say the Performer is equivalent to stock Pontiac intakes with the weight savings....so that's good enough for me.

Heads finished and waiting to sit atop the 455 one day

IROC steering box. A little FYI for those that don't know. The cast "Z" means absolutely nothing. The part number 2600525 doesn't either. I know for sure this box is 2.25 turns lock to lock. If you're on the hunt for one be sure to check it thoroughly. Here's more info for anyone interested http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/suspe ... x-not.html

34MM bar. Stock on the GP is 28MM

My poor garage queen! One day we'll be done with the heart transplant and on the road. And yes....that fender is wrinkled but I have a replacement waiting when the time for paint comes.

 

[pontiacgp]

IROC steering box. A little FYI for those that don't know. The cast "Z" means absolutely nothing. The part number 2600525 doesn't either. I know for sure this box is 2.25 turns lock to lock. If you're on the hunt for one be sure to check it thoroughly. Here's more info for anyone interested http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/suspe ... x-not.html

vet..I have a Z box in my GP and it does have the same ratio as a quick ratio G body box (12.7:1) but the internal stops make it a 2.25 box. Your U turns won't be as tight but in my case it stops the wheels from rubbing on my 36 mm bar. The Z does indeed mean something that you will notice when driving. The box gives you a heavier feel on the steering wheel and I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[G-Body_Vet]

vet..I have a Z box in my GP and it does have the same ratio as a quick ratio G body box (12.7:1) but the internal stops make it a 2.25 box. Your U turns won't be as tight but in my case it stops the wheels from rubbing on my 36 mm bar. The Z does indeed mean something that you will notice when driving. The box gives you a heavier feel on the steering wheel and I'm sure you'll like it.

Maybe I should elaborate what i was getting at. It's probably a safe assumption that it's a quick ratio if it's a Z box from a car with FE1 or FE2 suspension if it's unmolested.

Since the internals can be changed and re-mans exist, I wouldn't go pulling Z boxes from random cars without checking them.

Part of the reason I grabbed this box was for the decreased turning radius with the bigger sway bar. From what I've read, this 2.25 box was used to prevent rub on F-bodies with 16" wheels. I'll be using drop spindles and the HD 5664 IROC convertible springs too. I don't want ANY front end slop when it's done if I can help it.

 

[pontiacgp]

the larger u-turn is noticeable but it's not a drastic as some people suggest.....and a quick punch of the gas peddle shortens up a u-turn real quick.. 😀

 

[G-Body_Vet]

the larger u-turn is noticeable but it's not a drastic as some people suggest.....and a quick punch of the gas peddle shortens up a u-turn real quick.. 😀

Funny that you mention that. I had an '85 SS back in the day with a 350. One time I did that and the carb linkage bound on the air cleaner at WOT. Quite a smoke show until I shut the car off :lol:

 

[deanlemans81]

Hey Steve, do you have a part number for your front springs? I was wondering wich ones to use on the lemans.
Thanks, Dean

 

[G-Body_Vet]

It's going to boil down to how stiff you want the car to be and where you want your ride height. I'm using the 5664's up front. They're the HD IROC convertible springs. Reasons being:

1. The Pontiac weighs a little more than a SBC. We're looking at 650lbs vs 575lbs
2. I'll be using 2" drop spindles and don't want much suspension travel up front (to prevent rub obviously)
3. I'm also limiting my turning radius with a 2.25 quick ratio box from an IROC
4. I'm going to use a 34MM sway bar from an IROC.
5. Came across the springs on ebay for $30 brand new....so why not?

If you want to have a better look at spring rates here's a link. My 5664's are probably overkill, but since I got them cheap I'll give 'em a try.
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm

Here's my link to engine weights/dimensions before anyone starts questioning my numbers
http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html

 

[deanlemans81]

Thanks for the info and thread! I will study it to see what fits my lemans best. I`m basically looking for a similar to stock ride height or maybe an inch lower. I basically want to support the heavier weight of my 400.
Thanks, Dean

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Thanks for the info and thread! I will study it to see what fits my lemans best. I`m basically looking for a similar to stock ride height or maybe an inch lower. I basically want to support the heavier weight of my 400.
Thanks, Dean

No problem