First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
Doug,
The steering geometry on first gen cars has some issues. You can do some
research on the "Guldstrand" mod which offsets the control arm bushings for
info on it (or go the tubular control arm route). The best solution is a
full-on rack/pinion setup but those are high dollar. In my case I went
with:
Eibach springs
Edelbrock IAS shocks
a larger front bar (i.e. 1 1/8" I think) - a cheaper one (i.e. not the
higher dollar hollow bar).
New front RUBBER bushings except on the sway bar and sway bar end links
which are poly
I still have 14" rubber, and you can tell that the tires are a weak spot.
This combo is fine over smoother roads and isn't too bad over rough roads
(it is rougher than stock however). Frankly though, I can also tell the
stock steering geometry with that "rear stear" pitman arm is weird feeling
as well. A faster steering gear box from a later model ride would also be a
nice improvement.
My car was originally a six cylinder Sprint, but that engine is long gone.
I now have a 455 in there. However, let's talk about aftermarket springs
and your six cylinder. As you noted, there are no high performance
aftermarket six cylinder springs. However, the Eibachs are for "Small Block
Chevy" First Gen Camaros/Firebirds. I took a chance using them on my
Pontiac V8 because the Pontiac V8 is heavier. However, it is significantly
lighter than a Big Block Chevy so I didn't want to go that route. In my
mind though these aftermarket springs have a pretty broad range to them.
There were a LOT of factory spring combinations to account for the various
weights including: 6 vs. 8 cylinders, with/without A/C, convertible or
coupe, and even left side vs right side. I figured that my Pontiac V8 with
headers (instead of cast iron manifolds), an aluminum intake (once again,
instead of cast iron), and no A/C would be close (or probably even lighter)
than the weight of a small block chevy with those items so the Eibach SBC
springs should work...and I was right. I don't know what the fully dressed
weight of a six cylinder is, but it might not be that far off a Small Block
Chevy. Maybe Gary or Glenn can chime in here with regard to the weight of
an OHC motor.
Ironically, when I was looking for my current Firebird I really wanted a
second gen car (70-73), but decide I would take a first gen car IF it was a
convertible. I reasoned that if I had to deal with the piglike handling of
the first gen cars I should at least get some "style" in the trade-off (i.e.
the vert factor).
Later,
Chris Blandino
67 Sprint Convertible - 468
----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas Cole" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [FGF] Hi and question
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
IMHO, what is wrong with the way it was designed... it was CHEAP. Mono
rear leaf springs where one year only on one model (as I have read on the
internet, so it must be right!). We also want to lower it just a bit for
a better stance as we are replacing the rims/tries with 16 or 17s. The
front sway bar is smaller then the rear sway bar on my V-6 Thirdgen and it
doesn't even have a rear sway bar. If the handling on that car is
considered "adequate" then even the lowest suspension level on the
Thirdgen is phenomenal. Overall the car is boring. It doesn't go (230 w/
Powerglide and 2.5x rear end ratio), it doesn't stop (4 wheel drum brakes)
and it doesn't corner (for all the reasons I listed above). I am not
looking to replace the upper and lower control arms with tubular ones or
anything like that but for $1,600 bucks it seems I can get:
Multi-leaf rear spring, coil springs, shocks, full polyurethane bushings,
and a sway bar kit. I am not sure why we wouldn't do that.
Bobby - Thanks for the link and company! I will be speaking with them
shortly. I took a pile of pictures of the motor to begin with and will
continue. I am being very careful with the body shims, taping them
together and marking them clearly as to where they go.
Thanks,
Douglas
At 05:35 AM 12/18/2007, you wrote:
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
IF your going to race it sure you can upgrade the suspention but is
there something wrong with the way the engineers put it together other
than upgrading brakes and adding subframe connectors I would suggest new
springs and bushings and shocks, (Simply because of the age) and drive
it.
Just Smile... It makes people wonder what you have been up too...
http://www.dingdongtx.org/wapa/fb.htm
http://firstgenfirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=53
Thanks, Kevin
"In God We Trust"
----- Original Message ----
From: Douglas Cole <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: First Generation Firebird-L <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:20:25 AM
Subject: [FGF] Hi and question
First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
.........................................................................
Hi, new guy here. I am very used to Thirdgen and Forthgen Firebirds,
I own a 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 2000. I love Firebirds, in
fact the only cars I have ever owned are Firebirds. I even have a
Thirdgen screamin' chicken tattooed on my back. However, I have
joined because I am helping my Dad restore his 1967 Firebird. Little
history on it, my great uncle bought it for his wife who in turn
never got her drivers licence. It has a accumulated a total of
49,xxx miles on it. So, that is a little about me.
My question: We are doing basically an upgrade and restore on the
67. It is a 230cc OHC 6. So, what I am wondering is, what would be
a good suspension kit for it? I was thinking some sort of multi-leaf
rear springs to replace the mono-leaf spring, polyurethane bushings
all around, some sort of upgraded shocks, sway bar kit front and
rear, and new springs up front. However, all the kits are for a
V-8. What is the weight difference in the engines between the OHC 6
and the 327? It is listed at 200lbs between a I6 and a 327, however
I don't know how much of that is engine vs upgraded other things.
Thanks!
Douglas
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