This month, our SEMA new parts tech guide will help you make your Pontiac handle like a road racer and stop on a dime with suspension and brake upgrades for your classic and/or late-model. Many of these products offer engineering advantages over OE parts. Be sure to check them out.
Pontiac's Solstice Club Sport (ZOK) option features a host of suspension upgrades geared toward road-race competition. This particular car has been fitted with even more race-ready items from a hard top to a rollcage, race seat, and sticky tires, not to mention a few other safety features.
Classic Performance Products Inc.
(714) 522-2000 * www.classicperform.com
What is it?
Front and Rear Tubular Suspension Kits for '64-'72 GTOs and '67-'69 Firebirds
Why you need it.
Upgrade your old-tech suspension. Both rear kits feature four-link rear tubular trailing arms made from TIG-welded 131/44-inch DOM tubular-steel construction and, according to the manufacturer, "will keep the rear end in perfect alignment" with specially designed lock-out plates. A hardened high-carbon-steel sway bar is included. Both front kits include tubular front and lower control arms made with DOM steel tubing and TIG welds. The manufacturer says they will outperform your original components. Here's more great news: The self-lubricating bushings in both the front and rear kits are guaranteed by the manufacturer not to squeak.
Applications
'64-'72 A-bodies, '67-'69 F-bodies
MSRP
$649 (front) or $999 (front and rear)
Flaming River Industries
(440) 826-4488 * www.flamingriver.com
What is it?
Straight Arrow Modular Rack-and-Pinion
Why you need it.
Add rack-and-pinion steering to any year Pontiac with this custom modular rack-and-pinion steering assembly. These built-to-order units are fabricated using your specific pivot points, rack, and travel measurements. Of course, when using this product, you must fabricate custom mounting brackets on your frame or subframe. Units are available for manual steering applications only.
Applications
All year Pontiacs
MSRP
Starting at $399
AFCO/Dynatech
(800) 632-2320 * www.afcoracing.com
What is it?
Low-Friction Ball Joints
Why you need it.
A typical ball joint requires up to 50 pounds of force to move. This is because of what is called stiction within the ball joint itself. According to the manufacturer, up to 97 percent of internal resistance is eliminated with these low-friction ball joints. This allows the suspension to act faster and the shocks and springs to control the chassis better.
Applications
'67-'92 Firebirds, '64-'82 A-body
MSRP
$44 each (four required)