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HPP's Bona Fide Chassis Guide - Pontiac TechThe Latest Offerings In Subframes And Frames From the June, 2009 issue of High Performance Pontiac By Christopher R. Phillip Photography by The Manufacturers
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Detroit Speed And Engineering...  Detroit Speed And Engineering (Dse)
(704) 662-3272
www.detroitspeed.com
Product:Subframes
Fits the Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds (shown)
Features:
Hydroformed framerails
Stamped-steel crossmembers
Proprietary tubular upper and lower
control arms
Delrin bushings
C6 Corvette spindles
DSE-tuned coilover shocks and springs
DSE-tuned splined sway bar, 1.25 inches
DSE-valved power rack-and-pinion steering
Up to 17x8 wheels on a '67 or '68
Up to 18x9 wheels on a '69
Up to 18x10 wheels on a '70-'81
Benefits:
Complete bolt-in
Only hydroformed subframe in the aftermarket
Hydroforming preserves the steel's strength and stiffness because it's preformed at low temperatures
Improves handling and ride quality
Options and Upgrades:
Double-adjustable coilovers or
double-adjustable coilovers with remote canisters
Powdercoating and assembly
Parts available from DSE to complete installation (power steering hoses, body mounts and bolts, I-shaft kit for steering)
Engines Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
First-Gen - $6,700 (bare and unassembled)/$7,185 (powdercoated and assembled)
Second-Gen - $6,995 (bare and unassembled)/$7,480 (powdercoated and assembled) Though bolt-on suspension systems work great, if you desire total modernization of the ride, handling, steering, and looks of your classic Pontiac, the best place to start is at its foundation--the frame or subframe. Why? Because your frame is the connecting structure for shocks, springs, control arms, wheels, tires, brakes, engine, and body. A solid foundation ensures that today's larger rolling stock, big binders, and sophisticated air-ride and coilover suspension systems work to their full potential. We'll look at the latest subframes for the '67-'69 and '70-'81 Firebirds and Trans Ams, as well as new full-frame chassis that can replace the unibody on your Firebird or the perimeter frame on your '64-'72 GTO to make it feel like a brand-new sports car. Note: Some photos show optional equipment.  Art Morrison (AME) (800)...  Art Morrison (AME)
(800) 929-7188
www.artmorrison.com
Product:
Subframe
Fits the Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds (shown)
Features:
Mandrel bent 2x4-inch framerails
C6 Corvette upper and lower control arms
C6 Corvette spindles
AME-tuned Strange Engineering coilover shocks and springs
AME-designed 0.875-inch sway bar
AME-valved power rack-and-pinion steering in either 15:1 or 20:1 ratio
Benefits:
Reduces front-end weight and improves overall balance of vehicleIncreased room in engine compartment for A/C and other accessories
Increased camber gain and stable roll center for high-performance drivingComplete bolt-in
Improves handling and ride quality
Options and Upgrades:
Numerous brake kits with wide range of rotor sizes
Double adjustable coilovers or Air Ride Technology Shockwaves
Headers for LSX engines
Stainless steel brake-line kit
Engines Accepted:
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
First-Gen - $6,120 less brakes, preassembled
Second-Gen - $6,120 less brakes, preassembled  Jim Meyer Racing Products...  Jim Meyer Racing Products
(541) 994-7717
www.jimmeyerracing.com
Product:
Subframe
Fits the Following Models:
'67-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds
Features:
2x4-inch box-tube construction with tubular structural supports
Upper A-arms 1x.156-inch wall drawn over mandrel (DOM) tubing
Lower A-arms 1.25x.156-inch wall
DOM tubing
GM balljoints upper and lower11-inch GM disc brakes
Up to a 10-inch wheel/tire width
Adjustable stance up to 4 inches
Adjustable 1-inch-diameter sway bar
Adjustable trans mount with multihole bracket for MOST all GM and Tremec transmissions
Manual rack-and-pinion steering 3/4-inch-diameter lower A-arm shafts made from nickel-plated 1018 steel in a bronze bushing
Low road vibration 90-durometer urethane bushings
Aluminum coilover shocks
Benefits:
Direct bolt-in, uses all factory holes, body mounts, core support, bumper bracket mounts, engine/trans mounts in stock location
The only adjustable stance IFS in the industry
Camber, caster, toe-in, toe-out, alignment-friendly Superior handling, stopping, and steering
Lower stance and wider tire capabilities increase cornering adhesion
Quicker steering ratio than stock GM box
All parts available separately
Options and Upgrades:
Baer or Wilwood disc brakes
Vented and ball-milled rotors
Adjustable coilover shocks
Air Ride Technologies Shockwave Bags
Different coilover shock spring rates available Power rack Engines
Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
Two steering U-joints and a length of double-D Shaft
MSRP
$6,800 unassembled  Chris Alston's Chassisworks...  Chris Alston's Chassisworks
(888) 388-0297
www.cachassisworks.com
Product:
Subframe
Fits The Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
(Note: Second-Gen subframes are under development)
Features:
Fixture welded, bolt-in subframe
Tubular upper and lower control arms2-inch dropped spindles
Varishock single-adjustable coilovers
-inch sway bar
Billet rack-and-pinion
11.75-inch disc brakes standard
Benefits:
Lighter and stronger than factory subframe
100 percent bolt-in installation
Clean-sheet-design, street-performance suspension system
Multiple options and configurations to tailor the system to your needs
Options and Upgrades:
Double-adjustable VariShock coilovers
Shockwave air suspension
1-and 1.5-inch sway bars
13-and 14-inch brakes
Power rack-and-pinion
Stainless A-arms
Subframe connectors
Engines Accepted:
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
Complete systems start at $5,700 unassembled  Total Cost Involved Engineering...  Total Cost Involved Engineering
(866) 925-1101
www.totalcostinvolved.com
Fits the Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
Features:
Double-rail construction
Bolt-in multiposition transmission mount
Urethane-bushed tubular A-arms
2-inch drop spindles
Power rack-and-pinion
11-inch GM disc brake kit
Billet coilovers with black powdercoated springs
Benefits:
All steel is heli-arc welded for the highest-quality strength and finish available
Mandrel-bent design provides superior strength with higher durability
Engine mounts, core support, body mounts, and suspension brackets come installed
Transmission mount comes standard
Direct bolt-in
Options and Upgrades:
Show package featuring:
Polished stainless A-arms
Chrome spindles
Chrome steering arms
Polished billet coilovers
Custom 11-inch brake with polished billet calipers and polished backing plates
Other options:
Black powdercoated A-arms
Manual rack-and-pinion steering gear
Air Ride Technologies Shockwave suspension
Chrome coils
12- or 13-inch brake kit (Rotor, spindles, and brake units come assembled with bearings packed with hi-temp grease).
Sway bar 0.875 inch
Engines Accepted:
Engine mounts are designed to accept LS1 and small-block and big-block Chevy engines.
Mods Required:
None (minor drilling only)
MSRP:
$4,133 plain, unassembled except for spindles and brakes(will assemble for extra cost)
$4,893 polished, unassembled except for spindles and brakes(will assemble for extra cost)  Scott's Hotrods www.scottshotrods.com...  Scott's Hotrods
www.scottshotrods.com
(805) 485-0382
Product:
Subframe
Fits The Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds (shown)
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds
Features:
3x5x3/16-inch square tube rails
2x4x3/16-inch-wall crossmember
1.125x.25-inch tubular A-arms
Polyurethane bushings
Billet CNC-machined adjustable rod ends
Scott's Mustang II Spindles
Scott's billet coilovers or airbags
Power or manual rack-and-pinion
11-inch vented rotors with GM calipers
Custom track width available at no extra cost
1-inch sway bar
Benefits:
Complete bolt-in unit (less motor mounts)
Totally redesigned geometry offers better handling and ride comfort100 percent TIG-welded subframe for added strength and superior looks
Options and Upgrades:
Fully adjustable coilovers or airbags with choice of standard or billet shocks
Polished stainless A-arms
Polished rack-and-pinion
Polished outer tie rods
Wilwood brake kits from 11 inches to 14 inches
All support items available: Double D shaft, steering column, power steering hose kits, motor mounts, and so on1.25-inch sway bar
Engines Accepted:
All makes and models
Mods Required:
Some engines may require firewall work
MSRP:
First-Gen - $3,895 assembledSecond-Gen - $3,895 assembled  Fatman Fabrication (704)...  Fatman Fabrication
(704) 545-0369
www.fatmanfab.com
Product:
Subframe
Fits The Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebird
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds (shown)
Features:
3x4x.188-inch-wall box-tube construction with tubular structural supports
Race-style screw-in upper and lower balljoints
11-inch GM disc brakes
Up to a 10-inch wheel/tire width
Adjustable stance (4 inches)
1-inch-diameter sway bar
Standard multihole trans mount accepts OEM-style crossmembers for all
GM and Tremec transmissions
Upper A-arms polished solid stainless steel
Lower A-arms polished stainless steel with modular mounts for various types of spring options
Power rack-and-pinion steering standard
Steering U-joint and shaft kit included
Stainless steel braided power steering and hose kit included
Benefits:
Direct bolt-in uses all factory holes, body mounts, core support, bumper bracket mounts and engine/trans mounts in stock location
Accepts bolt-in factory engine stands and insulators so that either Pontiac or GM LS engines will fit
The company can assist with proper oil-pan selection for LS series engines
1 inch per side narrower than stock for tire clearance
2 inches more ground clearance than stock
Camber, caster, toe-in, toe-out, alignment friendly
A complete package
All parts available separately
Options and Upgrades:
GM 12-inch, Baer, or Wilwood disc brakes
Vented and ball-milled rotors QA1 billet adjustable coilover shocks (coilovers standard on '70-'81 package)
Air Ride Technologies Shockwave Bags
Air Ride Coolride Airsprings
Different coilover shock spring rates available Power rack Engines
Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
First-Gen $3,570 unassembled
Second-Gen $4,095 unassembled  Speed Tech Performance (888)...  Speed Tech Performance
(888) 467-1625
www.speedtech-performance.com
Fits the following models:
'67-'69 Firebird
(Second-Gen subframe is in development)
Features:
2x4-inch DOM steel
DOM tubing, high-clearance upper and lower control arms
Billet shock mounts
Adjustable transmission crossmember
QA1 single-adjustable shocks
QA1 coil springs (spring rate to be determined by motor and front end weight)
Power rack-and-pinion
1.25-inch chromoly heat-treated and powdercoated sway bar
Benefits:
Direct bolt-in
Lighter, stronger, upgraded suspension geometry
Upgrades steering to rack-and-pinion
Adjustable ride height with coilovers
Increased clearance under the vehicle and in the engine area
Increase front wheel size up to 18x10 with 275mm-width tires
Customers can reuse their stock spindles, brakes, and wheels
Options and Upgrades:
ATS C5 spindles
Baer or Wilwood brakes
Air Ride packages
Engines Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
$4,695 unassembled  Heidts Hot Rod Shop (800)...  Heidts Hot Rod Shop
(800) 841-8188
www.heidts.com
Product:
Subframe
Fits the following models:
'67-'69 Firebird (shown)
'70-'81 Trans Ams and Firebirds
Features:
Mandrel bent 3x3-inch framerailsHeidts tubular upper and lower control arms with bolt-in balljoints
Heidts High Performance tall 2-inch dropped spindles
Heidts Rebound adjustable coilover shocks
Reversible transmission support to fit many popular applications
Power rack-and-pinion
11-inch Wilwood brakes
Benefits:
Reduces front-end weight and improves overall balance of vehicle
Allows for different engine blocks to fit in engine compartment
Power rack-and-pinion gives great steering control
Increased camber gain through the use of Heidts 2-inch dropped spindles
Lowered roll center for more stable high-performance driving
Complete bolt-in
Improves handling and ride quality
Options and Upgrades:
Polished stainless steel upper and lower control arms
Double-adjustable AFCO coilover shocks
Headers for LSX engines
Steel hard-line brake kit
Numerous brake kits with wide range of rotor sizes
1- and 1.25-inch sway bar availableSubframe connectors
Driveshaft hoop (use with subframe connectors)
Engines Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455, LS-series
Mods Required:
On Pontiacs:
Engine mounts will need to be modified to fit original motors
MSRP:
First-Gen - $4,250 unassembled
Second-Gen - $4,250 unassembled  Roadster Shop/Rs Performance...  Roadster Shop/Rs Performance
(847) 949-7637
www.rsperformanceconcepts.com
Product:
Full Chassis
Fits the Following Models:
'64-'67 GTO/LeMans
'68-'72 GTO/LeMans
Features:
Fabricated, fully boxed framerails that are 4 inches narrower in the rear to accommodate up to a 14-inch-wide rear tire
Dramatically improved strength from the 3x3-inch framerails and rigid, tubular center crossmember design
Integrated midbrace with exhaust ports and driveshaft loop
Engine mounts and drop-out trans mount
DSE front suspension
C6 Corvette spindle assembly
Tubular upper and lower control arms
Adjustable coilovers
1.25-inch splined in front, 0.875-inch adjustable in rear sway bars
HD 9-inch housing with 31-spline axles
Triangulated four-bar rear suspension with adjustable coilovers
Benefits:
Utilizes all stock body mounts, bumper mounts,and core-support mounts for a bolt-on installation
Greatly improved strength over the stock chassis
Available for coupe and convertible bodies
Capable of handling engines in excess of 800 hp
Greatly improved ride quality and performance handling
Lowered ride height
Allows for the use of wider wheels and tires
Options and Upgrades:
Coilover
Wilwood 11-inch to 14-inch with four- or six-piston-caliper disc-brake packages
Stainless brake-line packages
Parallel four-bar optional rear suspension (shown)
Third member and gearing upgrades
Engines Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
Minor floor modification where driveshaft tunnel goes under the rear seat. Depends on the transmission used; not necessary with all applications
Mini-tubs required for rear wheels wider than 10 inches, otherwise not necessary
MSRP:
Base price $15,495 fully assembledin bare steel  Art Morrison (Ame) (800)...  Art Morrison (Ame)
(800) 929-7188
www.artmorrison.com
Product:
MaxG Muscle Car Chassis
Fits the Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
'70-'81 Firebird
'64-'67 GTO/LeMans
'68-'72 GTO/LeMans
Features:
Mandrel bent 2x4-inch framerails
C6 Corvette upper and lower control arms
C6 Corvette spindles
AME-tuned Strange Engineering coilover shocksand springs (not shown)
AME-designed sway bar (not shown)
AME-valved power rack-and-pinion steering in either 15:1 or 20:1 ratio
Choice of either three-link or triangulated four-bar rear suspension
Benefits:
Converts Firebird from unibody to full frame platform
Greatly increases torsional rigidityRoutes exhaust through chassis to reduce vehicle height while maintaining ground clearance
Increased room in engine compartment for A/C and other accessories
Increased camber gain and stable roll center for high-performance drivingBody can be either welded to chassis or the chassis constructed as a removable frame
Improves handling and ride quality
Options and Upgrades:
Double-adjustable coilovers or Air Ride Technology Shockwaves
Numerous brake kits with wide range of rotor sizes
Engines Accepted:
Engine mounts need to be fabricated, so all engine and transmission combos will work
Mods Required:
Removal of unibody rails and floorpan modifications on Firebird, depending on how low the car is going to sit
MSRP:
From $14,000 preassembled except for coilovers  Schwartz Extreme Performance...  Schwartz Extreme Performance
(815) 455-2230
www.schwartzperformance.com
Fits The Following Models:
'67-'69 Firebirds
'70-'81 Firebirds or Trans Ams
'64-'67 GTO
'68-'72 GTO
Features:
2x3-inch DOM steel tubing
Racing-style splined-end sway bars (0.5 inch to 1.375 inches)
All suspension points have Teflon-lined spherical rod ends
Power rack-and-pinion steeringCoilover shocks
Standard full-floating Winters rearend
Tubular steel upper and lower control arms
13-inch six-piston Wilwood brakes
Brake lines included (hard lines and braided stainless)
Benefits:
Bolt-in design
Modern, smoother ride qualitySports car-type handling, suspension geometry minimizes bumpsteer and has a negative camber curve
Torsional flex is reduced by 200 percent over stock chassis (A-Body)
Weight of the vehicle is reduced 145 pounds (A-Body) and 65 pounds (F-Body)
Adjustability of coilover shocks
Bind-free suspension operation
Minimized noise transfer
Options and Upgrades:
14-inch or 15-inch six-piston Baer
Monoblock brakes
Powercoating
Moser third member
Any axle ratio
Engine and transmission packages
Forgeline wheels
Michelin or BFGoodrich tires
Engines Accepted:
Pontiac 326-455
LS-series
Mods Required:
None
MSRP:
Bare welded chassis $3,695
Rolling chassis with brakes, power rack-and-pinion, suspension, and rearend, $18,200
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