Hey guys ! Hope all is well. I have my 82 Trans Am, which I am in the process of swapping out the Crossfire engine to a 350 Goodwrench. And I would like to change the Front Springs/Struts and Control Arm on my car. I'm looking for stock height and I'm looking for a Front End Kit also.
Any help would be great Thanks

 

Don't get spohn a arms, they move the wheel back... redoing the stock a arms is your best bet, you can get new ball joints, and upgrade the bushings to poly or delrum via global west. May need stiffer springs for a 350...

 

springs - if you're looking to stay stock, moog is the way to go; eibach if you want to lower things down a bit

control arms - if you're referring to the front, stick with stock and get yourself some new bushings and ball joints; these pieces are pretty beefy and really don't need replacing

struts - kyb gr2 is a good economical setup, koni or bilstein if you've got the money for something good

fill the rest of the front end with moog and energy suspension parts and you'll be set for years to come

 

Go to the junkyard and get another set of control arms, and put your new BJs and bushings in those. Makes the whole car tear-down/re-assy MUCH quicker and easier. They're SUPER common and CHEEP; apparently some other chassis uses the same ones, maybe S trucks or G bodies or something, I don't know what, but whatever it is, there's ALOT of em.

Nothing about any of that is specific to 82. Anything that fits any thirdgen fits it.

 

Just a note (I know enough to be dangerous! )

There is some difference between 82, 83 mid year and later up to 92 A arms...
The Global West Sites has 2 different Delrum bushing kits because of it...
What the difference is, I don't know... but having a spare set to get done up and just switch them out is a great idea.

 

I just went through this with my 82 Trans Am, my car had the 83 and later control arm bushing size, just make sure you measure the bushings before you order

 

Or, go to the junkyard and get another set of arms, and put your new bushings in those instead, to make the down time shorter.

All bushings may not interchange in all arms; but all arms interchange in all cars.

 

Just a general FYI: The steering stops are different between 15" and 16" wheels. The bump stops are different as well:

Bumper, Lwr Cont Arm (1982-84) (1985-87 Exc FEZ) (1988-91 W/15" Whl) P/N 10068783

Bumper, Lwr Cont Arm (1985-87 W/FEZ) (1988-91 W/16" Whl) P/N 14089443

Both the above are available from the following site:

http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/under...x=172&start=40

OE replacements, at least the 15's, can be had from RockAuto and other sources. Interestingly enough, alternative part numbers for Dorman 31061 show both 10068783 AND 14089443. The Moog version (K6606), which measures 2" high, can be had at Advance Auto for $8.99 per.

After thought: Since ovaling of the end link hole is common in a-arms, you might try to find junk yard arms that haven't been affected.

JamesC

 

Hey Luvojah ! The A-arms,I'll just redo them,thanks bud.
Hi 1ADan ! Springs,Moog sounds good.And I'll go with the Kr2 Struts and Shocks and do over the front end in Moog,thanks
Sofaking, I might just keep the current control arm on mine, there is nothing wrong with it,I was thinking if I should change it because it is from 1982,but I guess I'll just redo the front end.
RK , great idea about measuring the bushings,I will certainly do that
James,thanks my friend, I went to the site and purchased the stops.

 

Other upgrades that made a difference for me... stock height too (got moog springs)..

Aftermarket rear lower control arms (non adjustable since stock height) and panhard bar too... Spohn Sub Frame connectors tuck and roll nicely under the frame... wonder / steering brace / bar, strut tower... and new poly bushings throughout.... I did get the spohn steering kit too... all good, just not their a arms...

Raf

 

Hey Luvojah ! I picked up the Moog Springs for the Front and Kr2 Struts Hopefully I'll get the Spohn Steering Kit next week,thanks bud