Pro Tour Astre

[avewhtboy]

Hi all I have been searching for a Vega project car for about a year and brought home this
1977 Pontiac Astre last night. Plan is LS motor, not sure which size, most likely a four or
a five speed manual transmission, building it for Autocross/Road racing/Pro Touring etc.




Here is a picture of my first car, 1973 Vega. This picture is from 1980.

[sportriderok]

Welcome! Nice looking car to start with!

[bbcowboy]

Welcome to world of pro-touring....it will be good to see more H-Bodies out there

[avewhtboy]

Thanks for the welcome guys. My first car was a 1973 Vega, turning 48 this weekend with the first H-body I have had since 1982.

Began the tear down, wonder how much rust vs car I will be left with once it's blasted?

Pictures

[avewhtboy]

I got the codes off the rear axle last night from what I could tell they were:

2EDK7-109 Looking at the decoder page would lead me to believe for a 1977
Pontiac Astre this is a 2.93 open 7.5 inch differential.

So I think my plan will to be add 28 spline axles and zexel torsen posi to the stock
unit. I think I will replace all the bearings, seals etc, maybe even weld the tubes
to the pumpkin for some added strength.

This will allow me to use rear S10 disck brake setup.

I found a 2003 Trailblazer rear for cheap, its an 8.5 with posi and disks
anyone know if that axle is the right width?

Trailblazer may be a little wider than the old S10 axle?

[avewhtboy]

So I had all the glass removed today, windshield broke so gonna need one .

If anyone can help me locate this I would appreciate it.

Now I need to get my rotisserie built so i can yank the suspension.

pics coming

[spencerforhire]

I'm sure that Trailblazer rear end would be way too wide, plus they have 6-bolt hubs don't they?

[avewhtboy]

I'm sure that Trailblazer rear end would be way too wide, plus they have 6-bolt hubs don't they?

I passed on that axle, i think the track width on it was 59" which would not have worked out.

Still a little undecided which way to go but leaning toward just installing a zexel unit in the stock axle for now.

[avewhtboy]

I am looking at this front crossmember and probably the complete setup to correct the front suspension geometry.

This can be ordered in a lot of different track widths so I think it should fit pretty well.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-1556-a ... -only.aspx

[avewhtboy]

My plan is to build a rotisserie to make it easier to complete the work ahead, so I raised the car
to the approximate level for building the a-frame section of the roitissierie



Like I said in my other post, had all the glass removed today, they are going to flush mount the glass
when its re installed rather than using the old molding and clips.





The rear quarter window metal on both sides going to need some attention





The rear window channel not rusted too bad either



I marked the centerline at all the wheels and measured the wheel base to make certain I was in the ball park





This is a mock up tire for what I am shooting for in the front and maybe rear too
275/40/17

[bbcowboy]

I was checking out what your plans are, can I give you helping hints for the front end, if you are planning on removing the stock suspension I would look into the set up that Jegs got from Art Morrison…it may be expensive up front.

[spencerforhire]

This sounds like an awesome project! But(there's always a but) you might find it hard to fit a 275 up inside the fender of a Vega, front OR rear. The planned aftermarket front suspension will no doubt give you some more room, but that's a lot of tire to cram into a tiny wheelwell. You'll need minitubs in the back as well if you don't want the car to sit high.
The famous "Flying Turd" Vega that Schwartz Performance built for autocross duty only had 225/50/15's on it, and the fenders were pretty full.

[waybad]

I am looking at this front crossmember and probably the complete setup to correct the front suspension geometry.

This can be ordered in a lot of different track widths so I think it should fit pretty well.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-1556-a ... -only.aspx

I spoke to a salesman at the lsfest,, he told me that you would need more of a frame to use this one??
be sure to tell them what it's going in,, maybe he was trying to sell me more??
looks like it will be fun!!
Tink

[avewhtboy]

I was checking out what your plans are, can I give you helping hints for the front end, if you are planning on removing the stock suspension I would look into the set up that Jegs got from Art Morrison…it may be expensive up front.

Hey thanks for the heads up, I think that art morrison chassis is a full frame dealand i am not really looking to go that route if possible. I am sure thats $$$ and more than I want, would like to keep the weight down as much as possible.

I spoke with Mark(?) as SC&C ( http://scandc.com/new/ ) he suggested the front subframe I posted after some preliminary checking I like it so far.

[avewhtboy]

This sounds like an awesome project! But(there's always a but) you might find it hard to fit a 275 up inside the fender of a Vega, front OR rear. The planned aftermarket front suspension will no doubt give you some more room, but that's a lot of tire to cram into a tiny wheelwell. You'll need minitubs in the back as well if you don't want the car to sit high.
The famous "Flying Turd" Vega that Schwartz Performance built for autocross duty only had 225/50/15's on it, and the fenders were pretty full.

Hey thanks for the kind words and sage advice! I know that trying to stuff that tire in front is going to be a challenge
but I am thinking this will end up with 90% or more complete fabbed front clip so I thought I would give it a shot. Any idea front tire size on the Jegs vega, that car was almost cool until the slipped they automatic transmission in there.

I saw the flying Turd at an event in Michigan a couple years ago and took these shots.