Is it really worth the money?

I'm in the process of building a 62 drop top and I'm trying to make up my mind as to what suspension to go with. I was planing on sticking with the original clip which I had powder coated and rebuilt but after going to the Good Guys Show this weekend I looked into the Classic Works front clip. I figure by the time I'm done I'll have about $4,000 invested.

I would like to get a some honest unbiased opinions as to the overall improvement I could expect from ride, steering, braking, etc... and if you think its worth the 4Gs. The car is going to be a cruiser and not raced. I am thinking about droping a 350 Ram Jet in it but that may be out of the question due to budget restraints.

I'm going for performance but at the same time I want comfort. Should I stick with the stock suspension & disc brakes and use that money towards something else or are these new conversions really as good as the dealers want you to believe?

Thanks
Frank

Just my opinion. When you total up all the costs for a rebuilt suspension , disc brakes, and V8 conversion kit. You will be spending just about the same amount of **** than if you buy one of these clips. I really do not believe a stock set up can out handle a aftermarket clip. You can get a Heidt's or TCI clip for about $2700 or so with allot of goodies.

Thanks for your quick reply. After reading my original post I realized I screwed up. It Chassisworks not Classic Works but I guess you figured that.

The suspension and disc brakes was taken care of when we powder coated the stock clip and fender wells so that money is already under the bridge. What I want to know is what kind of performance can I truely expect if I go with one of these after market clips.

I have a chassisworks kit and the difference from stock is night and day in my opinion, granted my stock frontend was in horrible shape. With the chassisworks kit stearing is tight and responsive, rides smooth and strait, and headers are a breeze. The front tires are centered in the wheel openings. the engine compartment is easier to work in, I didn't get innerfenders, so it's open spaces.

The chassisworks kit is expensive but I think it's worth every penny. I bought mine when chassisworks were the only people offering a bolt on kit. Today you have alot more options with more people manufacturing frontend kits, but if I had it to do over again I would still go with chassisworks------they get the thumbs up from me

Bret

Ditto here on the CW clip. There are others that are less expensive and work fine but if you want a system that's been re-engineered to correct the usual Nova issues, highest quality parts that fit perfectly, and assured all the parts come in the kit, and choices of polished stainless & billet components etc. it's the way to go. They supply button head stainless screws etc. It's a totally bolt in kit with a very detailed instruction manual.

My vote is for the CW clip as well! Well worth the extra coin!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stout_todd/detail?.dir=/2844&.dnm=ada2.jpg

Todd

Thanks everyone for the input. I just got off the phone with CW and got a qoute for $3,900 complete. Expensive but most likely I'll be going that direction but I'm still looking for a deal. Anyone have suggestions?

I have a chassisworks kit and the difference from stock is night and day in my opinion, granted my stock frontend was in horrible shape. With the chassisworks kit stearing is tight and responsive, rides smooth and strait, and headers are a breeze. The front tires are centered in the wheel openings. the engine compartment is easier to work in, I didn't get innerfenders, so it's open spaces.

The chassisworks kit is expensive but I think it's worth every penny. I bought mine when chassisworks were the only people offering a bolt on kit. Today you have alot more options with more people manufacturing frontend kits, but if I had it to do over again I would still go with chassisworks------they get the thumbs up from me

Bret

Fir Na Tine may be owner and project coridinator on this but I'm the one building the car. One thing that concerns me is after doing this major change to the front suspension is did you or anyone else who has installed this kit have to make any changes to the rear suspension like shocks, springs or sway bar to keep a good balance between front and rear suspension? We currently have a set of multileaf springs in the rear and welded in a set of frame links.

Thanks
Frank

I'll go with the stock clip if its rebuilt and the disc brakes are on it. If money is tight on getting your motor done and the car rolling. I would run the stock clip and have some fun with the car. You can always go with a CW clip down the road.

i'll put in a good word for heidts clip...difference is astounding....

if ya want cheap go with the checkered racing clip - again you get what you pay for - not as nice as the chassisworks deal but a good deal nonetheless - you will need welding fab skills to install this. Dont forget the unseen stuff you will need as well like headers (a big deal with aftermarket clips) i have the checkered deal with chris alston headers (nice nice stuff) and fits like a glove.

66 II, that is one BEAUTIFUL engine compartment. Really genius work. :cool:

Matt

Are the CW front clips noisey, banging, harsh front ends and does anybody have them on their daily drivers. Do they last.

What about the Wayne Due, (http://www.waynedue.com/index2.html) Scotts, (http://www.scottshotrods.com/Novaclip.asp) Martz, (http://www.martzchassis.net/page2.htm) or TCI clips?
Pros, cons?
You guys are saying $4k is expensive? I wasn't expecting much less than that... With a "$4k ceiling," what would you suggest?


P.S. I was leaning toward the Alston, but I've heard good things about Wayne Due and the TCI...

i have the cw clip but if i were to do it again i would probably go with the waynedue clip because of the c-5 vette suspension goodies and the ease of 15" rotors and 6 piston caliapers check out a friends front clip on his camaro and he can squeeze 315's on the front, here is a link http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=3771


http://www.lateral-g.net/temp/wd14.jpgWhat about the Wayne Due, (http://www.waynedue.com/index2.html) Scotts, (http://www.scottshotrods.com/Novaclip.asp) Martz, (http://www.martzchassis.net/page2.htm) or TCI clips?
Pros, cons?
You guys are saying $4k is expensive? I wasn't expecting much less than that... With a "$4k ceiling," what would you suggest?


P.S. I was leaning toward the Alston, but I've heard good things about Wayne Due and the TCI...

That looks nice.
C5? I thought he uses the C4 setup?

C5 front end is probably more than we want. We aren't looking to build a G Machine, we just want a good handling car for cruisen around town and the highway. While I would love to build a G machine its just not in the cards for this project.

I would still like to hear from those of you that have installed the CW clip on what type of mods if any you might have done to the rear suspension?

Frank

Frank,

No mods necessary when you install a CW front end. Not noisy, drives and stops straight. The link below are a few pics of the rear suspension I installed on the rear.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stout_todd/detail?.dir=7f5a&.dnm=9faf.jpg&.src=ph

Hop this helps
Todd

I've installed the Alston, TCI & Heidt's. For all around quality, fit, options, availability of replacement parts I'd recommend the Heidt's clip. The people were great to deal with as well.

The stock front clips really dont handle all that bad. It's the steering ratio that is the sheits! I still have the stock front clip on my 67 but i installed a 605 power steering box. had to do some cutting and stuff to make it fit but it was worth it!!:D http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c336/novabro/Picture173.jpg

Ya know, I always thought it was huge bucks to go to an aftermarket clip, and I have a small enough budget as it is, so I ended up rebuilding the original stuff. Having said that...there is another solution that has me seriously interested. Not an entire clip, but it does replace the lower control arms...looks very solid:

http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36016

...and the pricetag is much easier to take, too!

c4, c5 i was pretty close! on a personal note i would never go with Heidt's, chatted with a few people that have bought and driven the Heidt's and then the CW and they were very sorry they drove the car with the CW clip. they told me the handleing was night and day difference. i'm so happy i went with the CW.That looks nice.
C5? I thought he uses the C4 setup?

Thanks for all the suggestions and it looks like at this time we are strongly leading to a CW clip.

We are still waiting for someone to answer the question as to what if anything you may have done to the rear suspension to balnce everything out. We are planning on running with stock rear suspension except for multi-leaf springs. Will This be adequate?

Thanks for the responses. It seems my suspicions were correct, but I'm still curious about the TCI and Due setups. Is it just a matter of money, or craftmanship? Or am I beating a dead horse?

as i said before i have the CA clip and love it but as far as the rear end goes i did the minitub and welded in some subframe connectors but left in the leaf springs and the shocks. as far as the rear goes it just doesn't keep up with the the front clip, i was waiting for CA to build a tri-bar kit but it seems like it is not a priority for them so i'm going to go with an art morison set up some time in the next couple of months with 2x4 frame rails running to the front clip and maybe a custom cage. when i get things together i will let you know.

http://www.cachassisworks.com/download/catalog_cac_vol14_71-105.pdf

check out pg 79 - the new billet 4 link & frame has been shipping out.

our new bolt in G-Bar with coil overs will be out this summer.

Thanks for the responses. It seems my suspicions were correct, but I'm still curious about the TCI and Due setups. Is it just a matter of money, or craftmanship? Or am I beating a dead horse?

If you have any questions about the Due clip call him directly.
Wayne Due's Chassis Shop
14003 Smokey Pt. Blvd.
Marysville, WA 98271
Phone: 360.657.4810
OR
Email Wayne Due (wdue352193@aol.com)

Yes I am partial to his stuff because I know him personallay but you can ask anyone that has purchased one or ever researched clips instensively. His stuff is absolutely top notch! The clip that was referenced earlier is for a Camaro and is the latest release from Wayne that is an OEM replacement for aftermarket bolt on kits. It serves as an in between option for people that already have a ton of ******** invested into bolt-ons for stock clips. "What's slick about this setup is if you already own aftermarket tubular arms, big wheels and brakes for a 1st Gen, those parts will bolt on to this all new Wayne Due subframe. It will also allow 10" wheels to be used and the track width is stock." This new clip allows for larger wheel/tire combos while allowing you to keep your current aftermarket bolt-on goodies. That is NOT the C5 clip!

If you read the entire thread you will note that he is referred with high regards to his quality in the suspension industry.

FYI.. Wayne is in the middle of a move\build of a new shop so he is EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY busy right now. His normal state is just extreme!!!:eek: So if your interested in the Due chasis at all get in contact with him. You won't be sorry and I guaranteee you will learn something about afermarket clips.