1998 Pontiac Trans Am Rear Suspension Upgrades Project Red Bird Part 2 - Stacey David's Gearz S16 E3

[@jtome84-91]

Stacy and all the original power hour guys are a huge reason why I’m still obsessed with cars to this day .

[@bradleylovej]

And now these cars are appreciating in value lol. The LS1 Camaro is still a good bargain, and both 5.7 LT1 F-Bodies. But we all know those LS1 Trans Ams are where its at. Man I love those cars

[@KroKnows]

Really appreciate you posting these full episodes. Hard to believe I've been watching Stacey working on cars and trucks for over 20years now. Most kids woke up early Saturday mornings to watch cartoons, while I was watching the old Power Block. Still remember losing it when you unveiled the first 572 for Copperhead (not to mention the sweet intake). So good to see you carrying on doing what you were obviously born to do. Here's to another 20 Stacey!

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Thanks for watching!

[@mattmccauley5561]

Haha. That was me too as a kid. Still love copperhead.

[@moosestangls5099]

We are the same bro I did it

[@BrockGrimes]

@@OfficialStaceyDavid What happened to Red Bird?

[@gjrt7573]

Mad respect for getting your hands dirty. Doing your suspension is really fun and starting out for upgrading these cars.

[@Fallenicons24]

Great video

[@AutoAddictionnnn]

The world was a better place when Stacy David was getting greasy building on tv, get tired of seeing these build videos with guys in clean shirts not working in their own stuff. Rock on Stacy

[@formula4sp33d]

Seriously good to see some 4th gen Trans Am love. Would like to see it on a slalom va. Some late models

[@mannishboy17]

Awesome Video Stacey. Great to see you still at it! I watched you growing up Saturday mornings. I was lucky enough to pick up a 97 trans am project car. Finally get to build something like you.

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Awesome! They're great project cars.

[@Vincent-ke5zn]

I really like that the new suspension parts match the car color, very cool 😎

[@chrisleathers8657]

Keep these coming, I just got 97 formula

[@dudleyrome]

ok am I the only one who noticed he had sub frame connectors at the start and we never saw those go on

[@kenjuicekrajewski9577]

One of most important part of trans am or camaro

[@chrisvela5462]

​@@kenjuicekrajewski9577 fox body/ sn95 Mustangs also

[@8t8GTA]

That’s what I was waiting for

[@loum7008]

They go in super easy. I put those in first before the suspension. I have UMI in my 2002 6MT with Strano springs and swaybays.I have yet to do the front crossmember and torque arm. The car surprises alot of people on the road course with this setup. I bought mine new, so I was able to enjoy the power and speed advantage of the F body versus other cars of the time. Enjoy your car!

[@jamesdelong6401]

Yes sir David. I did all the same except the K-member on my 2000 Trans am.

[@troublesa76]

y not the the K-member

[@jamesdelong6401]

@@troublesa76 well, really no need for it, what I'm doing at the time of the upgrades in 2016. But now I'm working on getting one. I'll get that do at the shop that's going to install my new clutch kit and my new engine mounts. Get it all done at once.

[@richardisner3671]

I hope those guys restoring the VW BUS get to see the job to the end. And then be able to enjoy it for a while.

[@solidtenpin]

Did he not do the subframe connectors or did I just miss it? I have almost all the same BMR parts on my 02 Trans Am except those and the sway bar, and I am leaning towards weld in, but wanted to see how they chose to mount.

[@kevinm8604]

I have an O2 trans am as well in about to do all these parts on it. Prepping it for doing some autocross. Did you ever put in your sub frame connectors?

[@solidtenpin]

@@kevinm8604 Not yet, but it's next on the list for sure. Going weld-in. I've noticed more dimples appear in my rear quarters, so it definitely can keep doing that over the years, and SFC's supposedly fix that.

[@roadtoad7704]

I did these mods (ex. sway bar, just removed it) and the weld in SFCs. Talk about stiffening it up, whoa!

[@solidtenpin]

@@kevinm8604 Finally got them welded in a month ago. Totally worth it, wish I had added them earlier. Car handles corners a lot better now with far less body roll.

[@GaryKing-o1t]

​​@@solidtenpin I went with bolt in subframe connectors from UMI on my 2001 trans am and they work perfectly.

[@EdwardHixson]

I like working on my WS6. It's fairly easy to work on believe it or not.

[@2001pontiacta]

Doing this to my 2001 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 as we speak. I choose to go through QA1 n got dual adjustables at every corner..

[@HypocriticYT]

Lately I thought I had an alignment issue. Turning L and R tire sounds like losing grip was heard. However it was the rear axle arm bushings. The rear end was not tracking correctly with worn bushings

[@macek1455]

Hey, love the video! How much did all the parts for the Trans Am cost?

[@evcass69]

In the carpet above the foam, there is a flap that you can pull up to access the upper shock mount without removing the rear panels. A poly trans mount is notorious for generating terrible vibration. Poly on both ends of rear LCA will induce binding.

[@michaelgarcia22]

Might bind on a 4x4 but on a lowered f body there’s not much artuculation

[@loum7008]

I did poly in all my bushings I'm not arguing with anything you are saying but torquing the suspension with it loaded is critical. BUT, so easy on a lift and a PITA in the driveway especiallywith the lowered car. It would have been nice for Stacy to at least make a call out to that. I used to do everything in the driveway when I was young. I couldn't do it now. Loved seeing f body content on the show!

[@traingp7]

"It can still be better." The story of my red 2005 GTO and never-ending upgrades for it.

[@raynaldolopez3780]

How much does upgrading all that costs ?

[@ne2i]

Water drain tip. If they are really clogged use some weed Wacker line to clear them. Be careful you don't dislodge them though.

[@Dee2000]

Thanks for sharing

[@billwill7383]

Nice car

[@zakuraayame5091]

I'm curious what the cost to performance differences is between an upgrade path like this versus and an IRS kit and the reasoning behind the decision to go this direction.

[@chrisvela5462]

Like an irs from Heidts? You'd get better road manners for sure

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

The IRS is significantly more expensive (5x or more). It definitely has its benefits, but we were going for a simpler build with this one.

[@zakuraayame5091]

@@OfficialStaceyDavid Thanks for doing the build, I love that generation Trans Am ... didn't realize how expensive the IRS system was and how much you could upgrade on this path comparatively cheaper, happy to see you on KZbin, recognized you from a SPEED channel show I think?

[@loum7008]

​@@jlee161wow, thanks so much for commenting on this. My car is really close to the car on the show minus the crossmember and torque arm. What are you doing with your car? I'm instructing at HPDE days and time trials. I am looking into a watts link in the rear. Do you have any info or opinion on that versus stock?

[@lee161a]

The IRS kits (Heidts), according to Sam Strano, don’t exceed the performance of Koni shocks, and the right spring rates. IRS in an F-body is really something you do because you want IRS in an f-body. IRS conversions in the f-body platform are not something you do for any specific improvement reason. It could cause race class issues, in addition to not being enough of a performance difference anyway. IRS does looks damn cool, though, and rides very nicely. I installed a C4 IRS in my 2002 Trans Am over 12 years ago now. I still have the car, and would do another conversion if I bought another f-body. That said the conversion was a pile of work, the shocks had to be re-valved several times, and went through three different versions of corvette leafs before getting the combo that worked for me. Heidts does pre-fab the mounts, so I guess that's something, but it's still a measure, measure, cut, weld, measure, weld, install affair. It also adds a new drive shaft, brakes, lines, and exhaust work into the mix, along with spring, swaybar, and shock selection and turning to get it to work correctly. Most of the upgrades Stacey is showing are well within the skill of a weekend wrench turner, and custom IRS installs are usually not.

[@maldo72]

Stacy as always great content ... i now I will get flack for says this ... but as a 4th gen owner myself throwing 20k worth of parts is crazy for this platform when you can use the money to step up to a new platform with all this stuff already in place ... becuase yes these parts will make the car handle better but company's like this give the illusion that is will bring this car up modern standards from its live axle setup. Yes I am betting this was a sponsored car to sell products. When there are so many cheaper alternatives to set up these cars .. where I wished you would have explored...

[@Vincent-ke5zn]

GOD BLESS THESE TOUGH OLD VETERANS 🙏 who are still tough enough to restore their vehicle

[@loum7008]

With a lift!!!!!!! I finally got one awhile back sooooooo nice. Now I can work on my cars into my decrepitude 😂

[@K_spawn]

I just bought one a 3800 with a t5

[@jimmaag4274]

What brand of skates are you guys using at the beginning of the video when you turn the car around?

[@bcarss1970]

Would replacing the spring bumper with urethane ones been a no, no? I don't know if that is even a thing to be honest.

[@ghostie1133]

For the pan hard bar how much do u adjust it to keep everything centered if k Lt dropping the car 1.25 in ?

[@loum7008]

Great question! In the show every adjustable link was measured and set to the stock length. I purchased non adjustable pieces. It is definitely worth finding out. If you bought UMI I'd call them, or which ever ones you bought

[@shuntao3475]

Curious, to know, how much improvement you really get with these parts. On my "01 WS6 Vert, I did do most of these upgrades, I did do the crossmember or use tubular control arms. For my '00 WS6, have yet to make the call what to do. For the Convertible, I notice less creaking, does it handle $3000+ better. I do not believe so. I spoke to Sam at stranoparts, he called most of the parts worthless. Advised me on Beefer Sway bars and Shocks/Struts. Much of our 4th Gens Frames is still the 3rd gen, meaning it was designed in the 1970's. You are only going to get so much performance.

[@mattotsagain]

Where can i find all the same parts? Have a firebird myself was gonna do my suspension soon

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

BMR Suspension!

[@albertteixeira6832]

Did he grease those urethane bushings with reg grease instead of silicone grease?

[@isuguy82]

It's funny that Stacey is discussing torque wrenches in his Part's Bin section, when I have watched all his episodes at least twice (conservative), and you never ever see him use one. I think I saw him use one once. :-) I am sure he uses the calibration tool daily on his wrists and forearms.

[@darrellmailes9198]

I have a 00 FB. With the 6 will this same set up work on mine as well

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Check with BMR to be sure, but I don't see why the rear wouldn't fit. The front is probably not a direct bolt-in.

[@Ladco77]

If the trans cross member has to come out anyway, I'd be tempted to replace it with one that relocates the torque arm off the transmission and onto the crossmember.

[@shoominati23]

I think this guy was still in his 20's when this episode was made!

[@chrisvela5462]

I thought that poly was okay to tighten unloaded. Just safer practice then?

[@ne2i]

I'd not tightened at normal ride height, they can bind and even wear out prematurely.

[@loum7008]

​​​​@@ne2iYou are right. In the UMI instructions they want everything loaded before torquing the suspension bolts. This is easiest on a lift. PITA on a lowered f body on anything else

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍👍👍

[@richardisner3671]

If I was to be able to afford a Trans Am. I would buy a 2002 Trans Am Black Bird. Which as we know were the fastest factory stock Trans Am. Now. The only thing I found wrong with that Trans Am. Was how nose heavy it was.

[@roadtoad7704]

02 WS6 bought new here. You're right. I weighted mine and front was ~2200 and rear was ~1500.Did some mods (not gonna list, too many) and got the front down to 1860 and rear to 1700

[@richardisner3671]

@@roadtoad7704 Handles a site better doesn't it? It handled OK to begin with. But it has to be quite a bit better.

[@mcbridemotorsports5788]

Wonder if you guy will do the Fuel Pump Trap Door Mod..lol

[@loum7008]

HaHa😂 I did that! What a life saver and so ridiculous the didn't come with that stock!

[@m4rvinmartian]

*13:15** How much weight does all these mods add? Breakdown per part weight difference would be even better.*

[@loum7008]

The front crossmember in the UMI part saves 25lbs. That probably makes the complete swap a wash weight wise. My lower front boxed a arms are way heavier than stock. The rest didn't seem heavy but I did not swap my torque arm and that that's a huge part.

[@isakarvidsson6456]

How much does all of this cost?

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

Check out BMR Suspension's website for pricing

[@Vincent-ke5zn]

This episode is like totally tubular dude 😂 🤣

[@otsenres1636]

Coolness

[@tammystrickland4669]

Are you still filming your shoes in Whitehouse Tn?

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

We moved down the road a little bit.

[@apethings7671]

I wonder wat makes cars slower the extra 50 to 100 ponds. Or body flex? Anyone know.

[@sethmacdonald5725]

body flex, but the biggest performance mod any car can get relatively inexpensive is a driver mod. Driving and knowing the limits of your car's grip, and being able to get close to that threshold and keep in control, will make a massive difference regardless of what parts you install.

[@chrisvela5462]

The flex 100%. The flex turns the chassis into another spring that you cannot account for, can lift a wheel and reduce contact.

[@kevinthomas26]

I hate when they never show the end product. Where's the before and after the stance pictures driving on the new suspension. How do we know it is actually good it looks good but does it ride good?

[@grisslebear]

Ya'no... Lucas Red 'n Tacky would've been a great, color coordinated touch.

[@SecretBachelor]

I notice you had the subframe connectors on the table but you didn’t install them any particular reason on why wasn’t it install🍺😎

[@christopherlastname7638]

My aunt got a new 1993 fire bird and by 2004 under the hach rusted out because the drans were never cleaned!

[@Spectrum_Auto_Spa]

There’s a metal bracket in each rear wheel well that needs to be flattened. You literally need to beat the shit out of it or the new wheels won’t have clearance.

[@brandonlopes1051]

Hope you're not using petroleum grease on those poly bushings

[@AmraphelofShinar]

Who knew Gene Simmons could wrench on cars...?

[@3029dz]

Dump the 7.6 10 bolt and get a Strange Engineering 12 bolt.

[@JSAFIXIT]

A nicely setup one is easily 3500+

[@roadtoad7704]

I installed a 9 inch TruTrac in mine

[@HypocriticYT]

The only way to have a T top today is restoring one of these.

[@6footdirtnap]

The rear sway bar on my 83 is no bigger than my pinky.

[@tomwiggins1225]

What does this upgrade cost?

[@OfficialStaceyDavid]

BMR sells several different levels of upgrades. They range from $1189 to $1689. The full kit like this is on the upper end.

[@ProjectSullivanAuto]

this is for sure a great channel and beautiful videos.... SUBBED and LIKED , a fellow creator.

[@P51]

a lot of flexing and twisting in this car

[@Vincent-ke5zn]

No offense Stacey, but the exhaust on that bird looks pretty worn out

[@johnglielmi6428]

The only thing about torque wrenches is if you are not a gear head or mechanic. The average person does not know the proper use of the tool. it is meant for left hand or right hand torque only. but I see so many people at work using it as a breaker bar. I cringe every time I see some one using the tool incorrectly. They don't understand this can damage the tool and ruin the accuracy of the wrench so quickly. I try my best to educate them but they never listen. I have 30 yrs experience in the Automotive Quality Department, working in the Hydraulics industry with customers like John Deere, Caterpillar, J.I Case Eaton, Danfoss and many others.

[@aarongarner8452]

Should of just dropped the back axle clean all the crap off of it the paint it

[@dudet9662]

dude for real.. the mullet hairstyle is back in fashion.. WHERE IS YOUR FLOW? I'm sorry about that outburst I don't usually comment on another mans appearance

[@Swanlord05]

He needs to clean under that car.... damn

[@barnhousegarage]

To bad they didn't show all the misalignment issues they had with the BMR suspension, stuff is junk

[@georgegarcia7798]

You're taking away the value of a car that's been made the original way

[@milesm978]

Not at all

[@johnwymer1215]

Adding value actually. Those cars were junk from the factory. This actually gives usable parts so the car can be driven like it should have from the beginning.

[@morganroberts8368]

All that new gear attached to that nasty old asss rear end. What a waste.

[@vandettabuilds6641]

Come on man a Volkswagen bus ????? WhAt a stupid vehicle to choose!!! That’s so wrong for this show!!!!!!