Cheapest way to improve handling?

[mcfadyen72]

well, looks like my budget is shot.

i have a stock 70 chevelle but run a 18"-20" rim combo and want to upgrade the suspension.

i have $2000 to work with.

anyone have any ideas what would work best?

[64Chevelle]

http://www.scandc.com stage 2 package. And probably Currie Rear Control arms. Give him a call, he is very helpful!

[Lowend]

Are you gonna install yourself or have a shop do it... my recommendations will be effected by your budget

[resto-mod]

If I were spending 2 grand, I'd look at handling and/or braking. In all the cars I've done, this is what I'd add with 2 grand. 1) disc brakes, 2) sway bars, 3)springs & shocks (preferably coilovers). Depending on what you've got and what you need to buy, this may chew up your 2K. If you have money for 1 more step or don't need better brakes, next step would be upper control arms and/or bushings. Hope this helps.

[jackfrost]

$2k will go a long way if you do some research and plan out what you're going to do.

easiest bang-for-the-buck is springs/shocks. then replace all the steering components w/ new Moog parts. after that, i'd do what 64Chevelle said.

[mcfadyen72]

i am having my brothers shop do all the install. i will get 1/2 off the labour and parts at cost. it's nice to have connections.

[slowcamaro]

replace worn out components. good tires. good shocks and struts. good alignment.

proper tires and struts/shocks will make the largest gains.

[64Chevelle]

Sorry, I was a bit too quick. Of course change to new steering parts, shocks/springs and new upper and lower control arm ball joints (and perhaps bushings) first. That will give a huge effect.

[Lowend]

I have to agree - the first thing to do is replace any hard-part (tie rods, idler arm ect) which is worn
From there I would be looking at shocks and springs. The best setup I have found (for the street) is from Hotchkis (http://www.hotchkis.net/c-562-1968-1970.aspx). Get the drop spring and the matching HPS shocks.
Front there I would start looking at SC&C if there is still budget.

[GetMore]

Do lots of research on what COMBINATION of parts will work best.
Make sure the chassis is in good shape. ie: Check for worn suspension bushings, body bushings, steering components, ball joints, etc.
Depending on how much you need and what the cost will be, if you have to wait on some of the upgrades I'd probably tell you to wait on the springs and maybe shocks. You might get the best results from upgrading the swaybars first. It all depends on exactly what kind of driving you do.

[mcfadyen72]

is there a steering box that is affordable that will shorten the turning ratio?

[Lowend]

Its called a smaller diameter steering wheel... http://www.grantproducts.com/
You can get in & out of the deal for less than $200

[mcfadyen72]

sorry i am pretty new to this.
how do you get rid of that loose steering feel so it's more like a sports car? is it just replacing the worn steering parts or do you get a steering box with firm valving like this one
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=AGR%2D292117&N=700+4294925130+4294839070+4294860446+115&autoview=sku

[Lowend]

Don't apologize

First you replace everything that is worn, than start worrying about the steering ratio. Honestly the steering box is probably the last thing on my list as it will not make the car handle any better by itself

[55chevyman]

im doing a tri-five and was in the same situation. i bought all new poly bushings, tubular uppers, 2 inch droped coils, tie rod ends, ball joints, cpp power steering box, and disc brake upgrade,i am probably forgetting some stuff, plus still need to buy shocks and swaybars

[GetMore]

FWIW, I'd avoid poly bushings for parts that move.
They don't allow the suspension to move like it should, due to bind, and I've read that the bushings tend to flow as time goes on.
I'd either use a solid bushing (like Del-A-Lum), or rubber bushings. You might be surprised what a difference new, stock rubber bushings can make. If possible, get higher durometer rubber bushings.

I have a VBP suspension kit on the front of my Camaro, and the poly bushings are so tight that the suspension almost won't move without my jumping on it. I took the bushings apart over the winter and greased them, so it's not lack of lube.
If I could figure out what application the bushings are from or if Global West would help (they just want the application, they don't care for finding bushings by dimension) I'd replace them with Del-A-Lums.

[mcfadyen72]

do poly bushings work well? i have heard a few things about them working bad, but nothing about them working right. anyone have good things to say about them?

[bochnak]

is there a steering box that is affordable that will shorten the turning ratio?

Yes, a 93-98 Grand Cherokee steering box swap. It's a 12.7:1 ratio with a T-bar size of Ø.195", which will have a higher steering effort.

Search the chevelle site for the complete "how-to."

[GetMore]

Lots of people have had good results from poly bushings. Lots have had problems.

Properly installed and greased they are great when new. Over time is when some of the issues are found.

In my case I noticed the drag on the suspension immediately and it got worse after sitting a short time.

[ronin8451]

What about the Poly-graphite bushings from P-S-T.com ? I just ordered the full performance kit from them along with some KYB shocks for the front of my '72 El Camino.

Rick

[mcfadyen72]

yeah, i would like to know about those too, anyone have any experiences here?

[Lowend]

Polygraphite is a marketing tool... it has no functionality. Think about it for the theory behind PG to work you would be needing to constantly wear down the surface of the bushing. If that was the case, how long would they last... maybe a week before they lost their clearances??
Not to mention the cold-flow problems
Look here for more info
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70313