Original Thread http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?264699-Pro-Touring-Defined&highlight= First off Big Thanks to Jim Weise for setting up a Pro-tour sub forum, and to all our fellow board members that have installed and discussed "Corner Carving" setups! Would like to note pro tour gsx, due to him being most likely the first pro-tour member, if im wrong sorry '' Secondly, Pro-touring is in ways hard to define, as there is no one set definition and just about everyone will have their own version of said definition. Most importantly the term for us Buick guys will have to be somewhat different compared to other makes as we don't have a modern "today" Buick EFI engine we can install in our Vintage Detroit Iron Machines! With that being said I'll break it down into some terms. G-Machine A vintage Buick capable of pulling 1G on the skid pad in one or more of these categories; Acceleration, Turning, Braking Resto-Mod: A vintage Buick that's built on a budget. engine may be mildly built with fuel injection conversion transmission most likely swapped in favor of a 2004r/700r4/4l60/80/90E or even t5/t-56 manual. Suspension updated with aftermarket box arms for rear and at least top tubular control arms with 1 inch drop springs and aftermarket swaybars. handling updated with a fast ratio box and 17' + rims/tires Stopping power would most likely be enhanced with OEM-like 2 piston front calibers and single piston rear calipers, disc all around. Pro-Tour Same as above with more emphasis on modern comfort features, and even more improved Power, Braking and Handling. 3G capable Engine will be moderately to stoutly built. Trans will most likely be a race prep overdrive transmission to handle the extra power. suspension will have just about the best bells and whistles, tall/drop spindles, at least 4 piston calipers, sometimes 6 pistons.. equipped with the widest rim/tire combination possible with the beefiest sway bars along with coil-overs all around and even push to start and vintage air a/c system. Street Fighter A no-frill track capable car for the street. best of everything from drive line to suspension, most likely caged and stripped down for weight savings. no carpet,a/c,heater,radio, or carpet/sound deadener. Soon to follow will be pieced together Pro-tour packages for various budgets and i'll also list a couple already pieced packages for those that don't like mix/matched components. 64-72 A-Body: 78-87 G-body 73-74 X-body I'll try and branch out for all platforms but A/G will be first priority.
"engine may be mildly built with fuel injection conversion transmission most likely swapped in favor of a 2004r/700r4 or even t5/t-56 manual." Are later LSX motors allowed? Same with a corresponding electronic controlled automatic transmission?
In my mind yes. In its basic definition pt was originally a car that could be driven to road courses in comfort and still race on them competitively. Hence the touring part.
Cool stuff! I've always intended to go the restore mod route with my car. One day ill have the cash for it...
What is the difference between Gran Touring and Pro Touring? Where does a Boss 302, Z28 or AAR Cuda or Challenger fall? How about a 65 Shelby Mustang GT350? I personally do not see how a Pro Touring car has an automatic transmission, but in todays 7 speed technology, I guess I could be wrong. I think I get confused between GT and PT.
pretty much the same thing. i dont see the auto deal making a difference. pt at its roots was a street driven car that could handle the road course or a twisty road really well. the idea behind pt was take a vintage car and turn it into a modern sports car. actually most people who road race prefer a manual due to the fact they can keep the car in high rpms better.
