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jptonks
08-19-2013, 10:46 AM
Hello All,

I am 70 year old long-time muscle car enthusiast and have owned Corvettes and Chevelles in the past. I am now comtemplating a nicely restored/modified 1969 Camaro with a 383 and 6 speed. This is a street car and not a daily driver. My wife will ride in the car from time to time.

I would like an improved suspension, but I do not want to completely destroy a comfortable ride. Firm is OK. What I have in mind is a ride just like the 2008 C6 Corvette that I owned fron 2008-2010.

I have read countless suspension articles on the Internet and in magazines over the years and I am still not sure what upgrades will achieve my goals and what amounts to "too much modification". I definitely don't want any clunks or squeeks when the suspension is moving.

I will do four wheel discs and I will change the ball joints, spindles, and A arms. Better shocks as well. What choice between aluminum, Delrin, and polyurethane makes the most sense for me?

How about the four biscuits between the subframe and the unibody? Are subframe connectors required?

In the rear, do I need a four link or would upgraded springs be better? I would like to run 17 inch wheels and this might affect which a rear suspension works best.

Does a torque arm suspension upgrade make sense? How about sway bars in front and rear or just in front?

I guess what I am after are opinions where guys upgraded their cars and then wished they had done something else.

I got to see and touch Ride Tech's 1969 Camaro level two complete package at the Springfield, MA Goodguys Car Show in July and I realy liked the quality of their pieces.

Anyway, I have asked a lot of questions and I hope there are a few mild pro-touring guys out there that can comment on doing less than full-out upgrades for a street driven 1969 Camaro.

Thanks foir your help everyone.

Dr. John

BMR Sales
08-19-2013, 11:30 AM
Welcome to the site Dr. John,

We offer the most well-balanced, easy to install rear suspension available for the 1st & 2nd generation Camaro/Firebirds. Using our proven track record in torque arm development and application we developed a torque arm conversion kit that brings modern suspension technology to these cars.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/6769framenobackground-1.jpg (http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/BMR-Suspension/media/67%2069%20F%20body/67-69framenobackground.jpg.html)

Here is a VERY informative tech article written by our R&D manager explaining what it does:
Torque Arm Suspension Systems - Chevy High Performance Magazine (http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/suspension_steering/1206chp_torque_arm_suspension_systems/)

The guys at V8TV recently shot a great install and results video of our kit on a customers 71 Firebird:
1971 Pontiac Firebird BMR Torque Arm & Baer Brakes Install Video V8TV - YouTube (http://youtu.be/NRKGqDRSLgc)

Here is a video of a customer who got 2nd place in Street Machine Class at Kansas Good Guys last Summer. He was running air over shocks built for ride quality not performance and had not adjusted the roll center via Watt’s Link….. he should be able to cut some major time off just by addressing these issues.

Camaro Autocross Kansas City 5 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9qK5GLD-Q&feature=relmfu)


Here is a install article that Super Chevy did a few years back:
BMR Rear Suspension Install - Strong Arm - Super Chevy Magazine (http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/suspension_steering/sucp_1111_bmr_rear_suspension_install_strong_arm/)



We offer a Torque Arm kit for the stock GM 10 & 12 bolt rear differentials and a kit for guys who want a Ford 9". The Ford 9” kit includes a bare Strange housing for $600 more than the 10 & 12 bolt kits. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a Pro-Touring member completed with our Ford 9 in. kit in his 1973 Firebird:

BMR Torque Arm Installed on my 73 Firebird - Page 2 (https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80483-BMR-Torque-Arm-Installed-on-my-73-Firebird/page2&highlight=TORQUE+ARM)


The owner of the 73 Firebird made the following comments to us:

“I've put 4000 miles on it and drive it at every possible opportunity. No track time yet due to other commitments but there is always this spring. I still have to play with the shock settings to soften up the launch, it is just incredible how the car reacts from the factory setup. The rear stays planted no matter if it's in the corners or straights. I've had ZERO issues with the entire setup, I'm EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. I hope to get some auto-x & road course time this spring.”

I still can't thank you all there enough for everything, the kit really changed the car into a ride that I truly enjoy driving.”


Our entire 67-69 suspension system was recently showcased on Two Guys Garage as well:

BMR Suspension Torque Installation on Two Guys Garage EXTENDED CUT - YouTube (http://youtu.be/n60dENFWPFY)

T-CHRGD
08-19-2013, 12:12 PM
You should give Mark a call. He can go over all your options on how best to achieve your goals.