Modern technology has vastly improved the ride and handling characteristics of vintage Pontiacs, and the various high-dollar packages we see today often combine coil-over- and/or air-spring-type suspension systems with large aftermarket wheels and tires.
Those who have successfully installed these systems onto vintage Pontiacs enjoy their effects. They might consider vintage suspensions ancient technology and wonder why any hobbyist would attempt to improve upon it. There are, however, a large number of budget-minded hobbyists who much prefer expanding upon the existing design, while maintaining original appearance-and that describes us.
The Assessment
Our '67 Firebird convertible has been the subject of past HPP articles, and much of its suspension remains unmodified since its purchase in 2000. When compared to our Second- and Fourth-Gen Firebirds, our First-Gen's original 0.688-inch front sway bar and front coil springs, aftermarket front and rear shock absorbers, stock multi-leaf rear springs (to replace the mono leaf), and no rear sway bar leave much to be desired.
We never intended for this particular Firebird to be a corner carver, and instead performed a sheetmetal restoration with the hopes of creating a drop-top cruiser boasting predictable road manners. The result, however, was a beautifully-painted Firebird that dipped so severely over normal street imperfections that its near-stock-sized front tires rubbed the top of each inner fender well. Body roll was so severe that it caused erratic understeer when pushed moderately into normal turns, lending to its appetite for front tires.
There was noticeable improvement after installing urethane body bushings, a pair of modified sub-frame connectors, and 15x7-inch Rally II wheels with modern 235/60-sized rubber. It wasn't long after that we realized our Firebird's original suspension simply wasn't suitable for normal street duty. We began considering all available options, but had two major stipulations throughout the process-our choice had to maintain stock-type appearance, and it had to be at an affordable price.
Decisions, Decisions
Our past experience with urethane bushings has shown positive long-term handling improvements when compared to rubber, without compromising stock appearance. We also felt that a larger front sway bar, and the addition of a rear bar, would be an easy way to positively change our Firebird's attitude. We decided to follow our instincts, and started visiting various Web-based forums, searching for present offerings.
One of the companies frequently mentioned was Performance Suspension Technology in Montville, New Jersey, so we contacted its technical department seeking suggestions. We explained our objective, and were told that a 1.125-inch front- and 0.875-inch rear sway bar kit should provide substantial improvement, and that combining these pieces with a host of other components would give our Firebird a significant attitude adjustment.
Following the company's recommendations, we ordered its suggested G-max front and rear sway bar kits with Polygraphite bushings, a Polygraphite control arm bushing set, KYB Gas-A-Just performance shock absorbers with Polygraphite bushings, Ground Zero front coil springs, and a Polygraphite rear traction arm ("radius rod" in Pontiac speak) bushing set. The entire purchase set us back around $825, which included free shipping to the lower 48 states, and everything arrived on our doorstep within a few days.
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