[67mater]

I have a 71 shell, and now a sweet 68 4 door donor. I plan to move most everything straight over so that for now I have one car, and I can focus on building the motor and getting it running. I will be swapping in some v8 springs and a complete suspension rebuild kit, so at that point all is apart. So, can anyone say from experience any upgrades that are worth their weight? not looking to carve canyons yet or break the bank, just want to know opinions on control arms, aftermarket springs, spindles, sway bars or whatever you have noticed really made a difference.

thanks!

 

[scherp69]

A lot of guys will tell you that don't need to change both control arms, I believe it's the top ones that make the difference. If you have the money and want it to look good by having both, a very good product at a competitive price is www.speedtech-performance.com They have a couple different options available for front set up. You can get just the control arms, lower control arm and coil over shocks or both arms and shocks for just under $1500. The other kit that several guys have talked about and had nothing but good to say is the Hotchkis TVS kit: http://www.hotchkis.net/6874_nova_tvs_system_small_block.html Comes with front and rear sway bar, leaf springs and coils. You could also do the Gulstrand Mod to the subframe http://pozziracing.com/first_gen_suspension_geome.htm#Geometry discussion Basically it's drilling two holes to relocate the upper control arm slightly. The article I posted talks about it. You can also read more about suspension on pozzi website, he's got a lot to read on there. If you're looking to get any of the above stuff, I highly recommend you give Frank at www.gpsuperstore.com a call. He puts all the stuff on his cars and tries it so he knows what he's talking about when he sells it. He's a dealer for Speed Tech and Hotchkis, and most of the other big name suppliers.

If you want to go quit a bit farther, you can check out my build thread. I'm putting in an aftermarket sub, triangulated 4-link etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[novanutcase]

A lot of guys will tell you that don't need to change both control arms, I believe it's the top ones that make the difference. If you have the money and want it to look good by having both, a very good product at a competitive price is www.speedtech-performance.com They have a couple different options available for front set up. You can get just the control arms, lower control arm and coil over shocks or both arms and shocks for just under $1500. The other kit that several guys have talked about and had nothing but good to say is the Hotchkis TVS kit: http://www.hotchkis.net/6874_nova_tvs_system_small_block.html Comes with front and rear sway bar, leaf springs and coils. You could also do the Gulstrand Mod to the subframe http://pozziracing.com/first_gen_suspension_geome.htm#Geometry discussion Basically it's drilling two holes to relocate the upper control arm slightly. The article I posted talks about it. You can also read more about suspension on pozzi website, he's got a lot to read on there. If you're looking to get any of the above stuff, I highly recommend you give Frank at www.gpsuperstore.com a call. He puts all the stuff on his cars and tries it so he knows what he's talking about when he sells it. He's a dealer for Speed Tech and Hotchkis, and most of the other big name suppliers.

If you want to go quit a bit farther, you can check out my build thread. I'm putting in an aftermarket sub, triangulated 4-link etc.

Hope this helps.

He's lieing! It's all stock!

John

 

[1969BlueNova]

I just went with poly bushings in all the front control arms with a tvs hotchkis kit and am very pleased. IMO you dont need the upper and lower control arms if you are not going to be a canyon carver and more of a daily driver weekend cruiser.

 

[mrtimstik]

"Box" your lower control arms. It's cheap.

 

[67mater]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm thinking it needs to be lowered a bit in the front. Would keeping the v6 springs with a 350 be bad ride? I want to keep a good ride, so would drop spindles be my best bet? are ther improved dual rate springs? is there any difference in ride with drop springs? I'm thinking of keeping the stock steels and hubcaps, would the drop spindle cause any probelms, or is that only if i have wider wheels?

 

[scherp69]

I've heard alot of issues with drop spindles. Some guys run them and have no issues, others run them and end up with steering issues, wheel clearance, etc. If you went with coilovers, the nice thing is you can adjust the ride height. I don't know how far you can adjust them as I haven't had mine on yet, but there's probably 3 - 4 inches of thread.

 

[justin72nova]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm thinking it needs to be lowered a bit in the front. Would keeping the v6 springs with a 350 be bad ride? I want to keep a good ride, so would drop spindles be my best bet? are ther improved dual rate springs? is there any difference in ride with drop springs? I'm thinking of keeping the stock steels and hubcaps, would the drop spindle cause any probelms, or is that only if i have wider wheels?

Would keeping the v6 springs with a 350 be bad ride?
They would bottom out easier
I want to keep a good ride, so would drop spindles be my best bet?
the ride will stay the same, may get tires to rub on the fender, and will face wheel restrictions (backspace will be an issue)
is there any difference in ride with drop springs?
it's stiffer
are ther improved dual rate springs?
eibach makes some for a 1st gen camaro which will fit.
would the drop spindle cause any probelms, or is that only if i have wider wheels?
the tire + wheel can't have more than 4 3/8 back space (with 14-15 in wheels)