Firebird Softer Springs
- Thread starter Arjen
- Start date
the first question, softer than WHAT?
what is the current suspension,
what load rate springs do you have?
and obviously what matching shocks?
sway bars?
bushings?
and what are you trying to accomplish with the component swap?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...prings+for+1967+Pontiac+Firebird&_sacat=33582
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-0802-1967-pontiac-firebird-suspension-upgrade/
https://www.ebay.com/b/Coil-Springs-for-1967-Pontiac-Firebird/33582/bn_93127122
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...nkw=air+shocks+for+1967+firebird&_sacat=33582
https://www.classicindustries.com/shop/1967/pontiac/firebird/parts/suspension/suspension-kits/
https://secure.amesperf.com/catalogs/F25.pdf
https://www.summitracing.com/search/make/pontiac/model/firebird/year/1967?keyword=sway bars&ar=1&kr=1967 firebird sway bars
https://www.ridetech.com/product-category/applications/musclecars/camaro/
https://www.detroitspeed.com/67-69-camaro-firebird-front-suspension-components
https://www.carid.com/1967-pontiac-...MIrPrRi6yq6gIViLzACh1wDQwyEAMYAiAAEgLIsfD_BwE
https://www.summitracing.com/search...ion/front/front-sway-bar-diameter-in/1-125-in
https://www.firebirdcentral.com/FIREBIRD_SWAY_BAR_PARTS_s/311.htm
https://www.carid.com/1967-pontiac-firebird-sway-bars/
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads...setup-advice-Front-and-Rear-for-1968-Firebird
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/getting-traction.14651/#post-78600
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/getting-a-camaro-or-firebird-to-bite.4067/
what is the current suspension,
what load rate springs do you have?
and obviously what matching shocks?
sway bars?
bushings?
and what are you trying to accomplish with the component swap?
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...prings+for+1967+Pontiac+Firebird&_sacat=33582
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/hppp-0802-1967-pontiac-firebird-suspension-upgrade/
https://www.ebay.com/b/Coil-Springs-for-1967-Pontiac-Firebird/33582/bn_93127122
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...nkw=air+shocks+for+1967+firebird&_sacat=33582
https://www.classicindustries.com/shop/1967/pontiac/firebird/parts/suspension/suspension-kits/
https://secure.amesperf.com/catalogs/F25.pdf
https://www.summitracing.com/search/make/pontiac/model/firebird/year/1967?keyword=sway bars&ar=1&kr=1967 firebird sway bars
https://www.ridetech.com/product-category/applications/musclecars/camaro/
https://www.detroitspeed.com/67-69-camaro-firebird-front-suspension-components
https://www.carid.com/1967-pontiac-...MIrPrRi6yq6gIViLzACh1wDQwyEAMYAiAAEgLIsfD_BwE
https://www.summitracing.com/search...ion/front/front-sway-bar-diameter-in/1-125-in
https://www.firebirdcentral.com/FIREBIRD_SWAY_BAR_PARTS_s/311.htm
https://www.carid.com/1967-pontiac-firebird-sway-bars/
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads...setup-advice-Front-and-Rear-for-1968-Firebird
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/getting-traction.14651/#post-78600
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/getting-a-camaro-or-firebird-to-bite.4067/
Last edited:
Originally Posted by BMR Sales 
We offer the most well-balanced, easy to install rear suspension available for the 67-81 GM F-Body Platform. The kit is virtually a bolt on kit and if you decide to change the 10 bolt for a 12 bolt later down the road just call me up and we can sell you a 12 bolt housing plate!
Using our proven track record in torque arm development and application we developed a torque arm conversion kit that brings modern suspension technology to these cars.
Here is a VERY informative tech article written by our R&D manager explaining what it does:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...nsion_systems/
The guys at V8TV recently shot a great install and results video of our kit on a customers 71 Firebird:
http://youtu.be/NRKGqDRSLgc
Here is a video of a customer who got 2nd place in Street Machine Class at Kansas Good Guys last Summer. He was running air over shocks built for ride quality not performance and had not adjusted the roll center via Watt’s Link….. he should be able to cut some major time off just by addressing these issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9qK...feature=relmfu
Here is a install article that Super Chevy did a few years back:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ll_strong_arm/
We offer a Torque Arm kit for the stock GM 10 & 12 bolt rear differentials and a kit for guys who want a Ford 9". The Ford 9” kit includes a bare Strange housing for $600 more than the 10 & 12 bolt kits. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a Pro-Touring member completed with our Ford 9 in. kit in his 1973 Firebird:
https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...ght=TORQUE+ARM
The owner of the 73 Firebird made the following comments to us:
“I've put 4000 miles on it and drive it at every possible opportunity. No track time yet due to other commitments but there is always this spring. I still have to play with the shock settings to soften up the launch, it is just incredible how the car reacts from the factory setup. The rear stays planted no matter if it's in the corners or straights. I've had ZERO issues with the entire setup, I'm EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. I hope to get some auto-x & road course time this spring.”
I still can't thank you all there enough for everything, the kit really changed the car into a ride that I truly enjoy driving.”
Our entire 67-69 suspension system was recently showcased on Two Guys Garage as well:
http://youtu.be/n60dENFWPFY
Thanks your system was actually the first one I came across. When I went to your website I couldnt find an all in one package with a list of everything to compare. For instance
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1967-1...m-level-3.html
That's what I found for ridetech's system.
Coil Overs(monotube shocks and spring by HperCo)
Upper and Lower Control Arms
4 link
shocks, which i heard good things about the triple series
Tru Turn(spindles, steering arms, tie rod assemblies bracket)
Its all there in one kit so I know everythings there and I don't have to worry about forgetting anything. They have the unfair advantage fo showcasing everything on a 68 camaro and I have a 68 firebird so a got a better look at everything on the 48 hour camaro build.
What im more or less asking for is if you sell a whole kit so i don't have to go through and add everything to the cart and hope i don't forget something. Plus I noticed a lot of the QA1 shock on your page which i heard has leaking problems. I could use the ridetech coils and shocks with your setup correct? As a side note does your subframe connector Bolt on w/ ridetechs kit?
I like the torque arm in the rear. Have you had any costumers use your rear suspension and ridetechs set up with tru turn in the front. And do you have more info on what size tires will fit with your setup. Thanks
Originally Posted by pitts64
I recommend to learn how to do your own alignments at home so you can tune.. You might be surprised at how much can be done with slightly modified stock pieces.
Get the Herb Adams suspension book...
Checkout the Performance Years site.. http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/
PS) Pontiac motors are not big blocks, don't use that term in Pontiac land or you'll sound like a rube... lol....
Thanks for the advice i'll have to look into that book. Its always good to know how to do things like. Sorry the people I talk to use big block when referring to 421 428 and 455 but they are the same size externally so technically they aren't a big or small block. I'll have to lose that habbit. What i intended to say was i'm looking to put a 428 or 455 in my firebird. Depending on if i can find a 428 or not.
We offer the most well-balanced, easy to install rear suspension available for the 67-81 GM F-Body Platform. The kit is virtually a bolt on kit and if you decide to change the 10 bolt for a 12 bolt later down the road just call me up and we can sell you a 12 bolt housing plate!
Using our proven track record in torque arm development and application we developed a torque arm conversion kit that brings modern suspension technology to these cars.
Here is a VERY informative tech article written by our R&D manager explaining what it does:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...nsion_systems/
The guys at V8TV recently shot a great install and results video of our kit on a customers 71 Firebird:
http://youtu.be/NRKGqDRSLgc
Here is a video of a customer who got 2nd place in Street Machine Class at Kansas Good Guys last Summer. He was running air over shocks built for ride quality not performance and had not adjusted the roll center via Watt’s Link….. he should be able to cut some major time off just by addressing these issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9qK...feature=relmfu
Here is a install article that Super Chevy did a few years back:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ll_strong_arm/
We offer a Torque Arm kit for the stock GM 10 & 12 bolt rear differentials and a kit for guys who want a Ford 9". The Ford 9” kit includes a bare Strange housing for $600 more than the 10 & 12 bolt kits. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a Pro-Touring member completed with our Ford 9 in. kit in his 1973 Firebird:
https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...ght=TORQUE+ARM
The owner of the 73 Firebird made the following comments to us:
“I've put 4000 miles on it and drive it at every possible opportunity. No track time yet due to other commitments but there is always this spring. I still have to play with the shock settings to soften up the launch, it is just incredible how the car reacts from the factory setup. The rear stays planted no matter if it's in the corners or straights. I've had ZERO issues with the entire setup, I'm EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. I hope to get some auto-x & road course time this spring.”
I still can't thank you all there enough for everything, the kit really changed the car into a ride that I truly enjoy driving.”
Our entire 67-69 suspension system was recently showcased on Two Guys Garage as well:
http://youtu.be/n60dENFWPFY
Thanks your system was actually the first one I came across. When I went to your website I couldnt find an all in one package with a list of everything to compare. For instance
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1967-1...m-level-3.html
That's what I found for ridetech's system.
Coil Overs(monotube shocks and spring by HperCo)
Upper and Lower Control Arms
4 link
shocks, which i heard good things about the triple series
Tru Turn(spindles, steering arms, tie rod assemblies bracket)
Its all there in one kit so I know everythings there and I don't have to worry about forgetting anything. They have the unfair advantage fo showcasing everything on a 68 camaro and I have a 68 firebird so a got a better look at everything on the 48 hour camaro build.
What im more or less asking for is if you sell a whole kit so i don't have to go through and add everything to the cart and hope i don't forget something. Plus I noticed a lot of the QA1 shock on your page which i heard has leaking problems. I could use the ridetech coils and shocks with your setup correct? As a side note does your subframe connector Bolt on w/ ridetechs kit?
I like the torque arm in the rear. Have you had any costumers use your rear suspension and ridetechs set up with tru turn in the front. And do you have more info on what size tires will fit with your setup. Thanks
I recommend to learn how to do your own alignments at home so you can tune.. You might be surprised at how much can be done with slightly modified stock pieces.
Get the Herb Adams suspension book...
Checkout the Performance Years site.. http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/
PS) Pontiac motors are not big blocks, don't use that term in Pontiac land or you'll sound like a rube... lol....
Thanks for the advice i'll have to look into that book. Its always good to know how to do things like. Sorry the people I talk to use big block when referring to 421 428 and 455 but they are the same size externally so technically they aren't a big or small block. I'll have to lose that habbit. What i intended to say was i'm looking to put a 428 or 455 in my firebird. Depending on if i can find a 428 or not.
can you define "a bit more comfortable.."
that seems rather vague , does the car not handle well?
does the body/suspension, roll in turns or not brake in a straight line
,or dip excessively when braking?
Does the client say he feels the road surface a bit too precisely?
a great deal of that road surface feel, is in the TIRES, sway bars, and shocks being used,
and air shocks, sway bars, and tires can make a profound difference,
and I know from owning a 1967 firebird 400 back in the 1970s that traction bars ,
make a huge difference in the cars ability to launch and handle power well.
the firebird is not and never was designed to be a CADDY, or BUICK luxury barge.
it was designed to be a bit more luxurious than a camaro or mustang,
but still, its designed to be a late 1960s version of a G.M. personal sports car.
many people replace the OEM MONO LEAF REAR SPRINGS
why not call a few suspension vendors and ask a few questions get a few suggestions?
https://www.classicindustries.com/s...rebird/parts/suspension/springs/leaf-springs/
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/pontiac/firebird/parts/144712.html
that seems rather vague , does the car not handle well?
does the body/suspension, roll in turns or not brake in a straight line
,or dip excessively when braking?
Does the client say he feels the road surface a bit too precisely?
a great deal of that road surface feel, is in the TIRES, sway bars, and shocks being used,
and air shocks, sway bars, and tires can make a profound difference,
and I know from owning a 1967 firebird 400 back in the 1970s that traction bars ,
make a huge difference in the cars ability to launch and handle power well.
the firebird is not and never was designed to be a CADDY, or BUICK luxury barge.
it was designed to be a bit more luxurious than a camaro or mustang,
but still, its designed to be a late 1960s version of a G.M. personal sports car.
many people replace the OEM MONO LEAF REAR SPRINGS
why not call a few suspension vendors and ask a few questions get a few suggestions?
https://www.classicindustries.com/s...rebird/parts/suspension/springs/leaf-springs/
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/pontiac/firebird/parts/144712.html
Last edited:
I had a 73 Z/28 (so I had AC) with the rear suspension (illustrated above)with front A arms and sway bar - very expensive, there are less expensive ways to improve the rear suspension on these cars.