1978 Trans Am Rear Suspension Upgrade?

[xrdave]

Hi, I'm xrdave.

I am looking for some opinions on a suspension upgrade for my 78.

I'm running a BBC LS6 GM crate engine with probably about 500 hp (rated at 460), a Doug Nash 5 sp ( I think it is now made by Richmond now); it has a 3:30 first gear and a 1:1 5th, A 3:73 12 bolt.

New stock rear springs and 60/40 drag shocks.

I only go to the track once or twice a year. It's fine on the street, but with drag radials at the track, I keep breaking driveline components.

The twisted stock driveshaft was upgraded to 3".

I broke the yoke off dif and went with the billet yoke.

I broke a new U-joint and went with solid 3150s.

I think thats the p/n, and I have Lakewood traction bars.

I think I'm getting too much deflection and spring wrap.

Has anyone had experience with the BMR torque arm kit with coilovers (TAS007) or the RideTech 11170203 coilover suspension?

I'm inclined to go with the RideTech.

 

[Munkyslut]

Wow, that’s a pretty stout street car you’ve built; very impressive!

A friend in England dropped a 572 Bowtie crate into a 72.

It’s already got a complete Hotchkis F body package with QA-1 fully adjustable shocks & it handles very well.

I heard some poor-quality reports about RideTech, but I’ve no experience using them.

 

[xrdave]

Hi Munky, I've decided to go with the BMR torque arm rear suspension and A-arms w/ coilovers all around.

It seems to be far superior.

I want to make one more trip to the track before I put the stock tailpipes back on.

They won't fit with the fat drag radials.

 

[Munkyslut]

I’ve looked at the BMR stuff; I’m pretty impressed.

I think you’ve chosen wisely.

The RideTech & Hotchkis products are easily available here via Summit or JEGS, but BMR is pretty new to me.

Do you think you could share some pix & your thoughts on the kit when it turns up?

 

[xrdave]

I've looked at the BMR stuff; I'm pretty impressed.

I think you've chosen wisely.

The RideTech & Hotchkis products are easily available here via Summit or JEGS, but BMR is pretty new to me.

Do you think you could share some pix & your thoughts on the kit when it turns up?

BMR can be ordered through Summit.

I will put some pix up when it's here, but I probably won't install it until spring.

I'm ordering directly from BMR; they beat Summit's price.

Summit P/N's are:
A-arms: BMR-AA031R
Bolts: BMR-RH009
Rear suspension package: BMR-TAS007R
Speedtech front coilover kit: SDP-A205-550RK
Speedtech Viking Perf. shock: SPD-C207W - 2(EA)
Speedtech Coilover springs: SPD-10DP225 - 2(EA)
Speedtech thrust bearing kit: SPD-7995-102

 

[Munkyslut]

Thanks for that!