Yea the gbody is a great platform to build a solid pro tour type car. But you are right most of the guys into gbodys are more interested in going quicker from a to b. If you are looking for more pro tour on the cheap type stuff as oppossed to hard core competion type setup I have some ideas for ya. The thicker of the two rear sway bars that came on these cars usually the GN/Ttype/442/MCSS along with the 36mm hollow front bar from an early 90s WS6 suspension optioned Trans Am or equivalent Camaro will normally work together well and can often be found for cheap. The Trans Am bar is a bolt on. Along with Moog 5660 front springs (which will lower it usually 1/2" and are 639lb rate springs ie much firmer but not stupid stiff) and corresponding rear spring which are cheap. And naturally some bigger wider rims & tires. This simple & cheap combo will provide an amazingly different animal that is not over the top stupid race car harsh. Next up would be like A arms then some real brakes. Here is a good link and the tech their knows gbodys well. Their setups seem to be well engineered. www.scandc.com
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- Thread starter jonnyslick
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Vern said:
Thanks that's some good options. One of the biggest things to over come however is the bumpsteer and horrible geometry of our cars. Any ideas on how to reset that on a budget? I do like your thinking on the budget method. I called scandc today, and spoke with them for about an hour or so (man do they KNOW their stuff) ... but bottom line is that for full tuning with their parts you're looking at around $2,300 less wheels and tires.
"On a budget" is a relative term...lol. You can't really expect to change the suspension geometry cheaply as it requires a lot of new or used components. I bought a set of Global West uppers to use the B body spindles, and change the camber curve, and offset cross shafts for more caster. I don't know how to change the bump steer problem except for some sort of spacer. I would have to check the exact geometry to see if that would help, as if the problem is that it is too low to begin with, a spacer won't help.
And AFAIK the b-body spindle swap makes the bump steer problem worse.
Vern.. I haven't heard of a thicker rear sway bar than the standard 7/8, is there in fact one?
I would also go with 5658 Moogs over the 5660's. They offer a little more drop and they're not quite as harsh. Here's a great link for Moog usage in a G-body:
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm
Also, Bilstein shocks go along way with thicker sway bars and firm springs.
A quick ratio Monte SS steering box, 2.5 turns lock to lock is a nice upgrade as well.
Those are just a few budget items (except the shocks) that offer up much needed improvement in the handling department.
Vern.. I haven't heard of a thicker rear sway bar than the standard 7/8, is there in fact one?
I would also go with 5658 Moogs over the 5660's. They offer a little more drop and they're not quite as harsh. Here's a great link for Moog usage in a G-body:
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Moog_Spring_Page.htm
Also, Bilstein shocks go along way with thicker sway bars and firm springs.
A quick ratio Monte SS steering box, 2.5 turns lock to lock is a nice upgrade as well.
Those are just a few budget items (except the shocks) that offer up much needed improvement in the handling department.
Actually 5658 is what I had in mind. I mis stated. On the rear you know I think I got myself confused the f-41 option bar is the same as the GN/Ttype/442/MCSS. It was just two different front bars. Thank you Tony, I stand corrected. Also I agree the Bilensteins & quicker ratio steering from a salvage GN/Ttype/442/MCSS and what, f-41 suspension equiped car from the yard. Autozone has the best deal I know of on Bilenstiens. I believe with an idler arm change you can use an even quicker f-body box if someone can confirm this.
Is there another grill besides the egg crate look I have on mine now? Also, if I remove the stainless across the bottom and around the fender wells will there me mounting holes left to fill? Is the trim pieces worth anything if I do remove them?
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