442 or Trans Am sway bars for Vista Cruiser
February 4th, 2012, 05:41 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 103
442 or Trans Am sway bars for Vista Cruiser
Am I correct in assuming that I can put 442 or even Pontiac performance springs and sway bars on my '70 Vista? That would be way cool.
Interchange part numbers would be even better
Interchange part numbers would be even better
February 5th, 2012, 03:57 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,430
I'd do the suspension before paint, best not to have to do anything to the car and take a chance of messing things up after that's done, except for the woodgrain.
Don't forget that you'll need boxed lower rear control arms or box yours if you do a rear sway bar.
The best thing I did for handling when I had my '71 Vista was to install a quicker ratio steering gear/box.
Most of them are pretty worn out by now anyway and adjusting the lash really doesn't help and can do more damage than good if you don't know what you're doing.
It's good to upgrade the PS pump when you go with a quicker box too or at very low speeds the pump can't keep up with it.
You can buy new AGR boxes at places like Summit, used Jeep Grand Cherokee boxes are a popular swap too, do a search here and it will come up.
A lot of guys send their steering gear and pump out to have them rebuilt to the faster ratios and have the pump upgraded. I've heard good things about Power Steering Services if you do choose to go that route.
http://www.powersteering.com/
Don't forget that you'll need boxed lower rear control arms or box yours if you do a rear sway bar.
The best thing I did for handling when I had my '71 Vista was to install a quicker ratio steering gear/box.
Most of them are pretty worn out by now anyway and adjusting the lash really doesn't help and can do more damage than good if you don't know what you're doing.
It's good to upgrade the PS pump when you go with a quicker box too or at very low speeds the pump can't keep up with it.
You can buy new AGR boxes at places like Summit, used Jeep Grand Cherokee boxes are a popular swap too, do a search here and it will come up.
A lot of guys send their steering gear and pump out to have them rebuilt to the faster ratios and have the pump upgraded. I've heard good things about Power Steering Services if you do choose to go that route.
http://www.powersteering.com/
February 5th, 2012, 10:49 AM
#6
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,668
The VC is an A-body, and all aftermarket A-body suspension parts fit. Note that from the factory, the VC already has a larger front sway bar than a 442 (1" on the VC vs. 15/16" on the 442 for the 1968-72 model years). The 1.25" Trans Am front bar also fits. Be aware that simply increasing the size of the front bar will make the car understeer even worse that it does stock. You need to increase the back bar to match. The VC does not come with boxed rear control arms from the factory, so you'll need to add them before adding a back bar.
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