CarTech®, Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue
North Branch, MN 55056
Phone: 651-277-1200 or 800-551-4754
Fax: 651-277-1203
© 2014 by Tommy Lee Byrd and Kyle Tucker
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the Publisher. All text, photographs, and artwork are the property of the Author unless otherwise noted or credited.
The information in this work is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. However, all information is presented without any guarantee on the part of the Author or Publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of the information and any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Readers are responsible for taking suitable and appropriate safety measures when performing any of the operations or activities described in this work.
All trademarks, trade names, model names and numbers, and other product designations referred to herein are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification purposes. This work is a publication of CarTech, Inc., and has not been licensed, approved, sponsored, or endorsed by any other person or entity. The Publisher is not associated with any product, service, or vendor mentioned in this book, and does not endorse the products or services of any vendor mentioned in this book.
Edit by Bob Wilson and Wes Eisenschenk
Layout by Monica Seiberlich
ISBN 978-1-61325-210-9
Item No. SA337
Title Page:
Pro Touring cars almost always have a hunkered-down stance to lower the car’s center of gravity, thus decreasing the likelihood of body roll. This 1967 Corvette offers a perfect blend of classic style and modern performance, thanks to a late-model suspension, large Baer brakes, and LS7 power plant.
Back Cover Photos
Top Left:
This is a 1968 Camaro with stock tubs. The rear tires are 235/45R17s, mounted to 17 × 8–inch wheels. It offers a great look for a mild-mannered Pro Touring build, but most folks want a much wider-tire and-wheel combination out back.
Top Right:
Air tools can be used to speed up this installation but it’s much more precise to do the work by hand. It’s easier to notice issues, such as binding, when installing nuts and bolts with simple hand tools. After the installation is complete and the car is at ride height, torque the control arm bolts to 120 ft-lbs.
Bottom Left:
When the car reached completion, the Detroit Speed crew lowered the 1969 Camaro body over the new subframe and bolted it into place. Other modifications had already been performed, so this was one of the final steps to getting the car back on its feet.
Bottom Right:
Bolt the one-piece aluminum bracket to the axle flange using four Grade-8 bolts and nuts. This backing plate serves as the caliper mount. It also holds the internal parking brake assembly, which is essentially a drum brake inside the hat.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Pro Touring Explained
Chapter 2: Skills, Techniques and Tools
Who Can Build a Pro Touring Car?
Where Can a Pro Touring Car Be Built?
Roll Cage
Mini-Tubs
Project: Deep Tubs Installation
Chapter 4: Front Suspension
Geometry 101
Ride Height
Subframe and Front Suspension Assembly
Control Arms
Bushings and Ball Joints
Spindles
Springs and Shocks
Anti-Roll Bar
Steering
Alignment
Project: Subframe Assembly and Installation
Chapter 5: Rear Suspension
Leaf-Spring Suspension
Multi-Link Suspension
Rear-End Housing
Ride Height
Control Arms
Springs
Shocks
Track Locator
Anti-Roll Bar
Project: QUADRALink Rear Suspension Installation
Chapter 6: Brakes
Rotors
Calipers
Pads
Master Cylinder