First I'd like to say hello to Missouri and other mid-westerners. I'm new the boards. Looking forward to the dialogue.
Now, onto my questions...

I have a 1989 Firebird Trans-Am (5.0 V8, Automatic). I've had it for about 6 years now, and thus far have kept it in as good condition as possible, though repairs and replacements were inline with stock/generic parts and pieces.

But now the Power of the 3rd Gen has me.

It's my goal to join my brother-in-law on some street-courses over the summers. But my car, while in good shape, is not something ready for the track. So I look to the forums for knowledge!

I'm looking first for a progression of enhancements. If I wanted to bring this Trans Am into the age of modern (fun) racing, such as road courses and autocross, what would any readers recommend?

For example.... new suspension? Shocks, struts? Or would you start with the Engine first, with specific tuning criteria? Or perhaps rip out that automatic transmission for a manual?

I'm new to this world, and while I'm trying to learn as it comes, I'm not sure "where to start" in terms of overhauling this car to not just be my (visual) dream car, but a modern day performance car.

I'd love your help. Thanks so much!

 

Welcome aboard Nathan!

You will definitely find this site to be a great resource for your modification needs.

I am in the midst of resto-modding my T/A for aggressive street and occasional track use in the summers (Road America Track Days- May 4 and 5-- I am getting ready for that) , I decided to focus on the suspension/brakes/drivetrain. The reason being is that I realized that our cars are of a "unibody" construction. Not quite sure what that means exactly but it basically means that our frames and chassis need help in the form of sub-frame connectors (SFC's) and strut tower braces. Plus, all of the bushings for the track bar (panhard bar), Lower Control Arms, Sway Bars - front and rear, A-Arms will need replacing...

Here are some good threads:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ion-101-a.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...nsion-how.html



DO NOT forget the shocks/struts/springs...
Chew on these links-

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...uspension.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...y-ratings.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...oes-doing.html


Brakes:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...rformance.html

My advice... Give yourself a lot of time to digest all of the information that you can about brakes and suspension first... Its very (for me) tempting to look at power modifications first, it just seems more sexy, I guess. But I have learned to truly appreciate what our 3rd gens can do if its properly modified with the right suspension components... Our cars may not have obscene amounts of HP/Torque in stock form, but it will respond VERY well to new shocks/springs/bushings with relatively low cost compared to engine modifications.

Enjoy!
Chuck

 

Thanks for the info!

And you are right, suspension seems to float the the front of importance. Of course, driving on bumpy roads around town are enough to remind me that I need to tackle that first.

I appreciate all the links. And I will have to read up on the MFBA Track Days, I haven't heard of them before. (A newbie, of course...) My brother-in-law participates in a road-course, summers in Texas (the name escapes me). I'd love to hear about any opportunities in the Missouri/Midwest region.

Thanks again!

 

and think of what your willing to spend. Learned that the hard way

 

Hah, too true about spending. I'm at that point where I'm trying to decide if I should start from scratch (a large front-payment for a new/different car) or do I begin with what I have an "restore" it to something modern in its performance.

 

I have my camaro I "restore" but mainly drive a 94 gmc. My car is mainly for fun and learn on.

 

I've volunteered my time at MFBA Track days for the past several years now and I have a blast every year, even the 1st years when I rode up with friends and didn't have my own car.

If you have any questions you can PM me, or ask them directly on the MFBA forum.

I will tell you that you have to have a Snell 2005 or later helmet for Hot Sessions, or the Road America taxi rides (Ride in an Instructor car)

 

That's great info, thanks! I've been poking around the internet for road-course and auto-cross type events in this region and had struck out (it seems several have disappeared). It's great to see something not terribly far from me still going. I'll be reading up on it.
Of course, the priority is getting my car into a shape that could handle such and event.

 

Welcome to the boards!

I highly recommend Wonderbar upgrade. Even after I did LCAs, SFCs, Reallocation brackets, and other things I noticed the front steering was tighter and more responsive from it. At the cost of around $60 it's easy one to buy and knock out the install in under an hour.

 

Being new to this, I had to dig through my learning materials for those acronyms.

But I love the advice, thanks. Side topic, do you (or anyone you know) have vendors you trust/enjoy for any levels of upgrades? Or any specific business as a community you believe I should support? I'm always open.

 

Various part companies swing by this board.

Normal names you will see for suspension are: Spohn, UMI, BMR, Founders, and many others I've probably forgot.

When in doubt use the search. These boards have been going strong for well over 10 years and have good tech info and reviews.

 

Hey guys, this is Nathan's bro-in-law. That is some good info that you guys have shared already, its nice to see a good community on the internet for a change!

My general thoughts (that i've really only picked up on the internet, and my own limited track time) is that your best money is usually spent on tuition(track time/ instruction), brakes & tires, then suspension in that order. Even a great handling car isn't going to be all that great without building some skills first so its better to know a bit more where the real problems are and then try to correct them with upgrades.

I think the main focus(atleast for the start from my uneducated viewpoint) should be to make sure the brakes are up to snuff and not going to fade particularly badly after several hot-laps. From a weight standpoint I think a standard 3rd gen weighs a few hundred pounds more than a modern 'vette but is going to be on much smaller tires. I'd guess possibly a slightly wider(225-235 depending on how well those fit without rubbing), lower profile (17-ish) tire could get a bit more grip for the twisties even without a huge suspension overhaul, though that wonderbar sounds like too good of a deal to pass up. Looking around has lots of good reviews for that thing!

 

Hard to learn anything in a car with in consistent brakes.

Pads/Fluid are a MUST if you wish to even begin to learn braking zones. If the pedal effort to stop increases to the point of having no brakes then you stop learning because you're braking zone entry speeds have to lower each time and you can't consistently practice anything.

If the car wont' consistently brake then you won't be able to practice anything an instructor tells you.

 

Plus I won't run into walls and explode. So that's a plus.

 

Running into a wall is guaranteed 100% to stop you every time. No faster way to stop than hitting a wall!

 

c5 wheels &tires are a good upgrade and a 4th gen axle will negate the need for spacers in the rear and its a very simple swap and an excuse to upgrade rear suspension since you already have it halfway off, and an easy way to get a rear brake upgrade if you shop around carefully and buy one that has ls1 rear brakes.Then upgrade to c5 front brakes as they are guaranteed to fit under the c5 wheels, do front susp. including the wonder bar and an upgraded steering shaft to get rid of the rag joint and see where you are or at least thats my thoughts and what i would look at

 

Nothing beats seat time, instruction, and learning. Tires and brakes first, then
suspension, then other (expensive !!!!!) stuff. The more you learn and drive, the
more you will appreciate updates, and the better you will know exactly what you
want. Oh, check rule book for legality of mods you are considering, unless you
want to move up in classes.

 

Welcome! My best advice is to READ, READ and READ some more. there is so much info, knowledge, experience, and opinion on this site that you really need to read LOTS of threads to get a full and well rounded answer. But it's worth it. There are some awesome, skilled, and intelligent people here.

Frame work is always a good place to start. Subframe connectors and a wonderbar are a great start. they will protect the car whether you drag race, autoX, or enjoy spirited driving. Then decide which of those you want to do with your car. I like to autoX so that is my main focus on my build but I don't take it to the point the car isn't streetable cause i love to drive it. It will see the drag strip occasionally and i am willing to deal with the short comings that a autoX/RR set up will give me on the strip.I'm doing my sfc's, wonderbar, an full suspension this winter spring. Then brakes, rear diff, T56 tranny, then the car will be ready for some LS power.

 

lots of good info for those willing to look for it