need advise on choosing suspension for my car w/ big block?? plz

would like advise or options to go with please?  

Hello 80transam

Welcome to the forum. To get the fastest and most acurate replies the members will need a lot more addiyional info. The more questions you answer and more accuratly you answer them the better the info that you receive will be. I'll just run you through a preliminary interrogation of what some questions might be if you don't mind.

What is your max budget?

What car is it exactly, year model?

Is your existing suspension stock if not what is it?

What will the car be used for ie, drag racing auto cross etc?

How much hp?

Motor size, I see big block but 400 or 455 they weigh different?

What don't you like about your suspension now?

What do you like about it if anything?

Do you want an overall soft medium or hard ride?

What tires and wheels do you have or do you want suggestions here too?

Do you need traction bars?

Do you want or need tubular racing suspension arms?

That's all I got for ya right now. Others might want to know more


Thanks  

Car is 1980 TRANS-AM.  BASE MODEL F BODY
ALL ORIGINAL STILL SO STOCK SUSPENSIONS IT BOTTOMS OUT N SCRAPES GROUND

I WANT THE CAR FOR STREET USE NOTHING CRAZY
ENGINE IS 454 BB just broken in mild upgrades . HP not shure yett

Tires would like suggestions also?  
Suspension budget bout 2g maybe

Kind of looking for just aftermarket suspension to upgrade to basic tvs suspension kit from some were maybe?

Thanks for the advice  

Order front springs for a 78-79 Trans Am 400 with WS6 suspension and order 5-leaf rear springs, not the 4-leaf ones, they don't carry the load for long in my experience. Just original style parts will get you back to a great ride. While the front springs are out, it's a good time to get the upper and lower control arm bushings replaced. Some guys go for the poly bushings, myself, I've always liked using OEM style rubber to restore the ride to "like new" without being too stiff or squeeky, you'd be amazed how much improvement there is just by replacing the old, dry-rotted rubber with fresh stuff. I'm always amazed when magazine articles gush about how much better the handling is when they install poly....well, DUH! of course it's going to be great when you consider how worn out the old stuff was! If you want to improve the car even more, replace the subframe mounts as well.
Steve  
A little help... 'cause we don't all have to learn the hard way!

Welcome to HPP.
JMO - call Eaton Detroit Spring and go over it with them.
If you have the mono-leaf (I think they are leaf in '80) you'll meed the conversion kit to go to a multi-leaf.
You can also adjust the stance of the car to your liking.

If you do go the stiff spring and poly route you will feel every crack and pebble in the road. Hey, I like driving a gokart they rock on curvy roads and tracks.
You'll also need a real alignment guy that will work with you because your ajustments won't be stock anymore.

I have a '69 bird with Global West arms and Hotchkis springs all around. Solid body mounts and graphite impregnated poly bushings. Rides like a gokart!

1/32" total toe in (-1/32) (-1/64 each side)
Caster is +5.0 deg drivers side +5.5 deg pass side
Camber is -0.5 both sides for street and -1 if I go for a weeks worth of autocross time. No body roll but you really feel the road.
 
I know, it's not red
~~
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Boiled, Deep Fried, or Flambe'?

Hey 80Transam, I just put PST polygraphite Super Kit on my 1969, ( or I should say putting) it on my GTO.  I havent experienced driving it yet, and am going to go with KYB gas adjust shocks, but am impressed so far with the quality of their products.  I will let you know.  But, I am looking to autocross my gto as well as 1/4 mile race from time to time!! Good luck, and you cant go wrong with the info these good people will give you!! JB  

Hello 80transam

Thanks for answering the questions, great job you now have instant results as you can see. Cool.

I’m going to offer a low budget approach to give you a wide spectrum of choices.

High pressure kyb shocks on front.

Gabriel air shocks on rear but use a separate air line for each one. This prevents the air from flowing from one shock to the other when cornering etc and will help keep the car flatter in turns. They will also stiffen rear and you can adjust for different loads. Low air for a soft ride, more air for a stiffer ride  Increasing the air will raise your car though.

Use high performance front springs. I think one mfg calls them 610’s. Ride height is easily adjusted by different spring pad heights. Either way you can get them from maybe opg or aames perf. You can also call Hotchkiss or Eibach for suggestions they sell single parts or complete systems.

A larger front sway bar will also cause your car to corner flatter and stiffen your front suspension slightly.  A SMALL rear sway bar will also flatten cornering but will not really stiffen suspension.

For fun and for some ideas go to you tube and type in mar pozzi auto cross.  

All second generation F-bodies 70-81 used multi-leaf rear springs from the factory, only the first gen cars had mono-leaf. Typically the Formula, Trans Am and Z-28 models had 4-leaf springs which always sagged out prematurely. The standard 5-leaf replacement springs will hold their set better. I've used the setup I mentioned on both my 80 Camaro years ago and now on my 79 Formula and the ride is great. For more performance oriented handling check out protouring http://pro-touringf-body.com/ they have a great product line and they will mail you a photocopied catalog that includes a great article on how to choose the setup that's right for your car and the way you drive.
Steve  
A little help... 'cause we don't all have to learn the hard way!

Thanks Steve - I didn't know that about the 2nd gen birds  
I know, it's not red
~~
How may I serve you?
Boiled, Deep Fried, or Flambe'?

Wow lots of great info with just couple basic questions

Thanks to everyone for theinfo!