ive got a 73 boattail and i want to make it a turning machine what do i need to do and whats the best stuff to use and where do i get it?
Do the basics, heavy duty shocks, run as light as possible, 3;42 posi diff, air lift air bags in the rear springs, cold air intake pkg, recurve dist advance, free flow exhaust system.
Big front,rear swaybars,stiff performance shocks(Koni,KYB),stiffer rate springs,fast ratio steering box,sticky performance tires,lighten the frontend( smaller,lighter battery,aluminum intake,tube exhaust headers,aluminum radiator,even aluminum cylinder heads) . Depends on how much you can spend and how crazy you want to get about it. A GS package Riv is a very good handling car bone stock,if you can find the components.
I found a name of a company on here a couple of years back that made aftermarket swaybars for the 71-73. I ordered them at my parts place and have been using them since. They are HUGE and made a big difference. I also installed KYB shocks that also made a big difference. I installed a quick ratio box from a company up north that made the car steer better. Now all I need is a good set of springs to make it a true sleeper on the curvy roads.
Don't overlook a good alignment: you want as much positive caster as can be cranked into the front end. You may only gain another 1.0 degrees, but even that you'll feel easily.
As stated, heavy front and rear sway bars, new springs, low profile tires, and heavy shocks are the most important components. Make sure you have a good alignment job done once you have it all together. It pays to find a shop that specializes in this rather than going to a local CarX or the like. While you are going through it you will probably want to replace all the bushings to limit deflection. Box the rear trailing arms to stiffen them up. I had PST polygraphite bushings in the front of my old goat. Those bushings squeaked all the time when the front suspension traveled. Unless you are looking at competing on a road course I'd recommend new RUBBER (stock) bushings up front instead of the plastic ones. Just my 2 cents:TU:
A rear swaybar will make an enormous difference (be sure to box the control arms. I highly recommend KYB Gas-a-Just shocks, great control and very durable. Poly bushings on the front swaybar. Good alignment. Beyond this, you're going to start spending some decent money for quickly diminishing returns. Tires, steering gearboxes, etc.
