Pro-Touring 71 GS

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by Ken Adams, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. Ken Adams

    Ken Adams Well-Known Member

    My plans are to build a pro-touring style 71 GS within the next 12 months. So far have I have decided to go with a Global West front upper and ProComp front lower tubular control arms, 1-5/16" front sway bar, Helwig Pro -Touring rear 1-1/8" rear bar, CPP 13" front and 12" Wilwood rear disc brakes. I'm at a lost when it comes to selecting front/rear springs. I do not want to lower the GS too much because I have headers on the GS and they tend to scrape on my drive way. Any input on what springs to use? Another issue I'm faced with is selecting wheels. I would like to install 17" x 9" or 18" x 9" front and rear. Will these wheels be to wide to fit in the wheel wells? What back spacing will be needed to run 9" wide wheels? If the 9" wide wheels will work, what size tires will I need? Other areas that will need to be addressed is rear control arms replacement and upgrading the steering box. OK guys, need your assistance, any input will be appreciated.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2012
  2. Postsedan

    Postsedan 13427 L78

  3. gsla72

    gsla72 Well-Known Member

    I'm working on the same thing. I'll be using hotchkis springs (i'll be doing a 2" drop, but you'd probably be better with a 1" if you don't want it much lower). As far as wheels go, contact the guys at Driverzinc. They really know their stuff when it comes to wheels for pro touring cars. I've got torq thrust M's on my car right now, but i'll most likely be changing them to fit a bigger brake kit. They're 17's and they fit fine.

    As far as rear upgrades go, I'm using UMI rear control arms with roto joints. Really nice pieces for a decent price (about half global west). You might check out Lee Engineering for a steering box. One word of caution, this stuff adds up quick.
     
  4. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    spc spring set from scandc.com best price for springs if memory is correect its 289 shipped for 4 springs
    1 drop rear 1.2 drop front

    if you do upper/lower tubulars would can choose a 9.5 rim infront with 275-45-17 or similar 18 tire
    backspace will need to be about 5.75 for front

    i know you didnt ask but if you this is what i purchased and thats getting installed this spring

    spc springs all around
    bilstein hp1000 shocks all around

    front:
    upper spc upper/lower control arms with upper/lower howle tall bjs
    DSE front spline 1.5 swaybar
    hotchkis frontend steering componets.
    stock 11in rotors with wilwood d52 2 piston calibers with 95 d614 impala pads(installed)

    Rear:
    DSE rear swaybar and upperlower control arms with swivvel links
    DSE control arm/frame brace
    right stuff detailing rear disc kit...11in rotors 1 piston caliber(installed)

    Think thats everything.,.
    rims i plan to get v40 17x9.5 rims with 275-45-17 5.75 BS
    v40 17x11 with 6.25 bs on 335-35-17s
     
  5. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

  6. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    also thge reasons I went with the spc arms are they they are less costly then other manufacutres, lots of people use them and lowers have a 1inch drop built into the...and if you decide to go coil overs later down the road all you need is a 20dollar spring insolator and a coilover spring...you can also buy a spring height tuning kit to get the ride height in the front just right!

    Oh, and Mark from Sc&c is the most knowlegable when it comes to suspension setups
     
  7. Ken Adams

    Ken Adams Well-Known Member

    Great information guys. Thanks
     
  8. Ken Adams

    Ken Adams Well-Known Member

    Mike aka BiZnO, a few questions for you about your build. The SPC springs, what are the lb./in. rating for the front and rear springs? Do you know if the springs are made to SPC's specs or just a re-boxed Eibach pro-touring springs? What offset, if any, are you using on your wheels? How did you arrive at the back spacings of the wheels being used? How do you like the SPC upper control arm ? Are they adjustable? I leaning towards the SC&C Street Comp Stage 2 Plus 2 version. Thanks for any info you can provide
     
  9. Nothingface5384

    Nothingface5384 Detail To Oil - Car Care

    I'm not sure about the exact rates but theyre not simply boxedd with a generic rat, theyre specs to spc per car platform

    Front spring rates range from 535lb/in to 550lb/in , rear springs from 135lb/in to 150lb/in depending on the application
    I havent bought my wheels yet but doing 5.75 for ffront with 17x9.5 with 275-40-17 and 6.25 for 17x11 with 335-35-17
    These are common proven BS for given wheel widge on chevelles/a-bodies
    yes, theyre adjustable and easier to align the typical arms
    I also got the stage 2 plus plus
    I sourced my lowers elsewhere as they were a ton cheaper...if i find the site again i'll post it up
     
  10. Freedster

    Freedster Registered User (2002)

    Just wait 'til Mike puts up some pics of my finished frame. :) I think it's going to be a rock-solid start for a pro-touring-style car.

    I went with the Hotchkis lowering springs and swaybars, and Energy Suspension bushings & bumpstops. Mike boxed my stock control arms with the weld-in kit from Summit so they'll look stock. I bought KYG adjustable shocks front & rear just to get the car back together, and I may or may not keep them when I start spending more money on suspension and brakes.
     
  11. Tony Rocha

    Tony Rocha Well-Known Member

    Hey Ken. I had 10 inch wide center line fluted stars on my stoch suspention all the way around. I can't remember the back space. I did have a problem with the front cutting into the brake line when ever i turned the wheel to tight. Not fun when you go to hit the brakes and there is none.
     
  12. Brent

    Brent Founders Club Member

    Your plans will work. I am running 17x9 wheels all around with 5.125 back space, and 245-45-17 in front with 285-40-17 in back. The lip on the rear fender well has been removed and I could easily fit a 315-35-17. The car is lowered about 3" with SPC upper control arms, stock lowers and QA1 adjustable coil overs in front. It has an 1.25 Trans am front sway bar and stock a body rear bar with a GN steering box. I also have a tall spindle conversion with 12" brakes. The car handles way better than I can drive it.
    Thanks
    Brent
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Ken Adams

    Ken Adams Well-Known Member

    Great info. Keep it coming
     
  14. Heavy D

    Heavy D Well-Known Member

    Brent, how did you lower the back? I just bought 18x8 & 18x9.5 Boss wheels and need to lose some elevation.
     
  15. Brent

    Brent Founders Club Member

    Dennis,
    My car runs dual fuel gasoline and CNG so I have a 350lb steel tank in the trunk. I actually have heavy duty A-body rear springs in the back and the tank drops it down that far.
    Thanks
    Brent
     
  16. Ken Adams

    Ken Adams Well-Known Member

    Heavy D, will you post pics of the Boss wheels once you have them installed on your car? Thanks
     
  17. online170

    online170 Well-Known Member

    Ken;

    Depending on how far you want to get into Pro-touring, my freind's 1969 Cutlass has the Hotchkis TVS system. He looked for the cheapest suspension kit that wasnt chinese, and this was it. Soon after installing it, he noticed the wheels and seats werent up to the task. So he upgraded to 17x8 and 17x9's, and retrofitted seats out a BMW.

    On the street it will give 95% of the cars out there a run for their money, handles great. Even did well on the one autocross outing it went on.


    If youre looking into road racing, or something that doesnt make the ride as harsh, SC&C, air ride, DSE etc have solutions.

    In my mind, the full "bolt on" chassis is the way to go if you want the last word in Protouring. Started by Schwartz Performance, and then became fiercely competitive with DSE, Hotrod Garage, and a few others.
     
  18. Heavy D

    Heavy D Well-Known Member

    I sure will!
     
  19. bmiller

    bmiller Active Member

    I'll add my a body setup in, its on my el camino

    front
    ats/afx short spindle
    spc upper control arms
    stock lower control arms
    bilstein shocks
    hotchkis 1 3/8 bar
    eibach lowering springs
    C5 ZO6 13 in brakes
    245/40/18 on C6 5 spokes

    rear edelbrock adjustable uppers
    hotchkis lowers
    hotchkis pro touring bar
    eibach lowering springs
    bilstein shocks
    wilwood 12.2 in rear
    285/35/19 on C6 5 spokes

    power brakes with wilwood 1 in bore master cylinder and wilwood adjustable proportioning valve

    Personally I'd go with C5/C6 brakes instead of the cpp stuff, they are cheaper, easy to find, and cpp isn't know for there quality. As for steering box I'd look into the jeep grand cherokee box, I made the switch and for my $50 investment I'm very happy. Overall my setup performs well and was done on a relatively small budget, it may be to low for you, right now i have long tubes but if i switch to a mid length clearance wouldn't be problem

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Heavy D

    Heavy D Well-Known Member

    Thats cool Brandon!
     

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