Show your stance (round 2)

[stros]

Took a few more pics from a different location.  It doesn’t look quite as low in the rear as in the prior pic.

[Joe]

first off, I'm so glad this website is still here!

anyone running the 19in snowflake wheels from Yearone?
my project has 5th gen brembos front and back, and wondering if anyone has the 19in snowflakes that is willing to take some rear measurments?

[Poncho72]

i miss the old site post.  i am in the final stages of my build (paint), and i think i have the ride height like i want it.  gonna shoe mine with 18's, and mostly decided on 18x9 or 9.5 R, 18x8 F & 27"Dia-R / 26.5"Dia-F.  would love to see 18's with all specs included, especially backspacing.  the only suspension modifications i have made are 2" front lowering springs, Hotchkis lowering springs out back, deleted the seat belt dimples, and rolled the rear fender lips. 

[kentucky yeti]

Our '69 400 and our '77 SE.

[FormTA]

What? No specs? Nice cars!

[Jack]

What? No specs? Nice cars!

You've seen the specs. I love the 69 and the stance is perfect.

[FormTA]

Sorry,  I have the memory if a knat.

[darrylta]

Looking to upgrade my front tires and wheels on my 73 TA 455SD. I'm using PS2 335x17 wheels and tires on the tubbed rear.
Thinking about trying PS2 275's on 9.5" rims on the front end.
Has anyone tried 275's front tires on a 73 TA with good results? The control arms are Detroit Speed.
Thanks,
darrylta

[highway star]

Using rear ACDelco shocks. Tires are 225/70 & 275/60.

[N PRGRES]

PTFB GT kit front and back

[stros]

PTFB GT kit front and back

Nice, the PTFB GT definitely has a consistent ride height.  Yours looks exactly like mine.  I wish it had a tad more rear rake, but I'm not not going to fiddle with it any further as it rides nicely. 

[N PRGRES]

PTFB GT kit front and back

Nice, the PTFB GT definitely has a consistent ride height.  Yours looks exactly like mine.  I wish it had a tad more rear rake, but I'm not not going to fiddle with it any further as it rides nicely.

I actually think the stance is perfect, my mufflers however disagree.  Rather than change the stance I will probably order a muffler to go back into the stock location

[stros]

PTFB GT kit front and back

Nice, the PTFB GT definitely has a consistent ride height.  Yours looks exactly like mine.  I wish it had a tad more rear rake, but I'm not not going to fiddle with it any further as it rides nicely.

I actually think the stance is perfect, my mufflers however disagree.  Rather than change the stance I will probably order a muffler to go back into the stock location

100% agreed on the muffler comment.  I am running the dual muffler setup from my LS3 and it's a nightmare sometimes over speed bumps - for both my cats & the mufflers.  I think I should've stuck with the transverse muffler setup too. 

[FormTA]

I went with the transverse muffler on my car amd I too have the PTFB GT rear springs buy Hotkis 2" drop coils. My pipe clamps sometimes drag on speed bumps but that is about it. I did make my own rear shackles that are about an inch longer that gives me about 1/2" or so more rear height.

[b_hill_86]

I have to ask for those who have a good riding rear end (no pun intended lol) what’s your setup? I did install new shocks on all 4 corners but my rear end seems so bouncy, mainly on the e-way. I recall from my Jeel days, YJs (square headlights) rode awful and were a 4 corner leave spring setup so is that just the nature of these light rear ends with leafs or is there room for improvement?

[stros]

I have the PTFB GT kit as mentioned above combined with Viking Double Adjustable shocks front and rear.  I really like the shocks as you can dial in the ride and handling settings.  I haven’t changed the settings in the past 5 years since I found one combo that I liked.  I do also have PTFB subframe connectors and sway bars.  Overall I’m happy and the parts have had absolutely zero issues.  Dave the owner at PTFB has been super helpful as well over the years.

The rear end is not bouncy at all.  Handles like a sports car should, even though it’s more of an old school setup with coil springs upfront and leaf springs on the rear.

[N PRGRES]

I have the PTFB GT kit as mentioned above combined with Viking Double Adjustable shocks front and rear.  I really like the shocks as you can dial in the ride and handling settings.  I haven’t changed the settings in the past 5 years since I found one combo that I liked.  I do also have PTFB subframe connectors and sway bars.  Overall I’m happy and the parts have had absolutely zero issues.  Dave the owner at PTFB has been super helpful as well over the years.

The rear end is not bouncy at all.  Handles like a sports car should, even though it’s more of an old school setup with coil springs upfront and leaf springs on the rear.

I second this.  Mine is a bit stiffer ride as I have the subframe connectors and solid body bushings.  I bought my kit years ago so I am unsure what shocks I have.

[FormTA]

I think the key is the viking double adjustable shocks. The problem is I don't want to pony up the cash for them. I spoke with Tom (has the TA that got hit by a jeep) over the years and he was trying a few different shocks and had found a set of air shocks that he liked. I have bought those same ones. I just haven't installed them yet....

[b_hill_86]

I think the key is the viking double adjustable shocks. The problem is I don't want to pony up the cash for them. I spoke with Tom (has the TA that got hit by a jeep) over the years and he was trying a few different shocks and had found a set of air shocks that he liked. I have bought those same ones. I just haven't installed them yet....

Well when you do let me know what you think. I don’t have the budget for vikings either. Maybe sometime you’ll have to ride in my car and tell me how it compares to yours

[rkellerjr]

Nice cars and well done on the suspensions.

[N PRGRES]

A side shot. Not my favorite photo. Shows how bad the paint really is

[stros]

A side shot. Not my favorite photo. Shows how bad the paint really is

A couple of years back I posted on this thread complaining that the PTFB GT kit had more fender gap in the front than back.  I believe I’ve had this installed now for 9 years now. 

Took a pic today from the same location and it actually has some rake now.  Even with a lighter LS3.  Measured it too and it’s got an inch higher gap in back.  Tire sizes haven’t changed.

[FormTA]

That is interesting. I didn't think coils settled that much. I wonder if you had tightened the A arm bolts without weight on the car. That would put the bushings in a bind and make the front higher. Then as the years roll on they have ripped or settled in. For the nice low and stealth look. Paint looks great from my house! Nice car!

[stros]

Thanks!  I think you’re right.  Also I imagine many items that settle/break in on a daily driver are taking a lot longer given the low miles.  Seems odd that it would drop after the LS was installed and not when it had the heavy 400 in it for 5 years post suspension install.  That being said the T/A was barely driven with the 400 in it. 

Interestingly recently I’ve noticed that the suspension just seems smoother and less noisy than it used to be so maybe I’ve finally gotten it broken in.  Another good reason that these cars need to be driven and not just sit around as museum pieces.

One other thing I’ve noticed from these photos is that the Classic Industries snowflake wheels barely look gold from some angles.  Hopefully they’re not fading though they weren’t particularly bright gold from the beginning.  Probably not surprising for a $600 set of wheels.

[N PRGRES]

I'm happy to see someone restarted this thread.  I found it helpful when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my build.  Hopefully someone finds this info useful in the future.
 
For reference, the original equipment wheels and tires for my 1981 Turbo Trans-Am:
 Tires: 225/70R15 (27.4" Diameter) Rims:  8.9" x 15" Snowflakes

My initial setup:
 Pro Touring F-Body (PTFB) 'Super Duty 1LE' kit for 'small block' application (Circa 2015)
        Kit included: Front 'SB' springs, Rear Leafs w/adj. shackles & Doestch Tech 1000 3-way adj. shocks
 PFTB Solid body mounts
     -  Rear leaf springs installed at taller ride height (lower shackle hole)
     -  Solid body bushings installed in 'lowered' position

 I did not have a good experience with the Doetsch shocks.  I found them to be very harsh/jarring over bumps while still managing to feel loose and 'floaty' in the highway.  That said, I'm pretty certain my bad experience was caused by user error.  I quickly replaced those with 'stock' replacement shocks front and rear:
   Front: GM PN 88945177 (ACDelco 5309)
   Rear : GM PN 88945173 (ACDelco 5305)

OER Snowflake wheels:
  Wheel size: 17" X 9"
  Lug pattern: 5 X 4-3/4"
  Backspacing: 5-1/8"
 
Tires:
 Front - NITTO NT555 G2 255/50ZR-17  (27" Dia. x 10" wide)
 Rear  - NITTO NT555 G2 275/50ZR-17  (27.8" Dia. x 11" Wide)

10-IMG_3640 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

05-IMG_3354 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

5-IMG_2493 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

 Fitment Issues:
   Front: Front tire will rub the wheel lip -very- occasionally on severe dips @ higher speeds.
             There is also evidence of a rub @ the front swaybar.  Presumably when the steering is at full lock.
             I've never felt or heard this inside rub...But marks are there.
             Both of these conditions are so rare that I haven't taken any corrective action.
   Rear: 1) Inside edge rubbed the 2.5" exhaust pipe while under high lateral load. 
             I suspect this condition would not have occurred if I had this size tire on the car when
             the exhaust system was installed.
             - Corrected by dimpling the exhaust tubes via a hammer
            2) Outside edge would rub the wheel well inner lip on significant dips in the road.
            Mostly an issue with a full tank and/or carrying extra weight in the trunk.
             -  Corrected by installing rear air shocks -  Gabriel PN 49135
                 The Hijackers seem to offer more control over the body movement.  I didn't need to increase
                 the ride height much at all to get rid of the outer edge tire clearance problem.

Below are more recent pics with the HiJackers installed:

IMG_7840 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

IMG_7834 by Tom Sherer, on Flickr

Unfortunately, the HiJackers no longer come with the cool jack rabbit stickers. 

Hope this helps!

PS.  Although this combo got me pretty close to what I had pictured in my head, the whole shebang is just a little higher/taller than I'd like. The current height is mostly dictated by the front-end springs.  I intend to install a set of coil overs (hopefully this winter) so that I can further dial in the ride and ride height.  The front needs to be softened up a little while bringing the whole thing down maybe 3/4".

I know I am late to the game but the height looks perfect for a car that gets driven.  PA roads aren't much better than Ohios and I feel I am actually too low.  My original vision from 2021 has somewhat changed as I have driven it more and also aged more =)

[N PRGRES]

I am finding that at least here in OH, that while I lvoe the lowered pro touring look with big tires and such, it's not the most practical for the amount I drive my car.  Maybe it's good for the cars that only come out once in awhile.