1969 Camaro rear suspension upgrade.

[mean buzzen half dozen]

Hi everyone.
I will eventually swap out the original rear suspension on my 69 Camaro & would like to install an aftermarket system.

I have seen how to install a quadralink set-up from Detroit Speed. It seems like there is a lot involved to install one, but I do like the look & seems like a nice kit.

I plan on mini tubing, Ford 9"

Was wondering what other kits, including the Quadralink have you guys used & are really glad you installed it, Chris Alston's Chassis works, G-tech etc & others.

What is the easiest kit to install? Does this kit work as good as the others, or do the more involved kits seem to work the best for handling, autocross, road racing etc.

Kind of looking for comments, even though some may have not used other set-ups out there, would still like to hear about them, what kit they used, how they like it , dislike it.

Or if there is a shop here that has set-up/installed most of these aftermarket rear suspension kits in different first gen Camaro's I would like to hear from them also.

What rides the best, worst, adjustable systems, non adjustable, things like that.

Thank you.

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

The Chassisworks g-Link suspension is compatible with mini-tubs and is very easy to install. Realistically you could drive the car into the garage Friday night and take it for a spin Sunday evening. It's a proven winner on the autocross, street, and the drag strip.

You can read about several customer cars and their different setups here: http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_testimonials.html
(I wonder when customers who have cars that aren't black are going to start emailing me pics...)

Bret Ervin
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/Camaro67_BretErvin_side_400x186-1.jpg (http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_testimonials_ErvinCamaro.html)

Richard Childress
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/Camaro69_RCRSeries3-1.jpg (http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_testimonials_RCR-Camaro.html)

Bob Littlefield
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/Camaro69_LittlefieldCustoms_autocross01b-1.jpg (http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_testimonials_LittlefiledCamaro.html)

[BMR Sales]

Our Torque Arm Suspension Kit is neat! Check out the Video in my signature!

TC

[gtopercy]

I'm doing a 69 Firebird but I can't go with a "bolt in" kit as my leaf spring pockets are gone and floors are to. The rockers and inner rockers are very good. Truck is pretty nice also. Quarters and tail panel are being replaced due to rust and minor damage. Inner fender wells are nice but will get cut out for wider tires also. So looking for a welded in kit but not a standard 4 link "drag racing kit". I might go full frame also. Love to hear of anyone that has had this same issue and what they went with and if they would do it again or go another route.

[TheJDMan]

(I wonder when customers who have cars that aren't black are going to start emailing me pics...)

OK Carl, here is a G-Link equipped Camaro that is not black.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/CAMARO3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/Dragon1291-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/Dragon1292-2.jpg

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Ha, thanks Steve!

EDIT: Actually, I somehow didn't have any pics of your car saved on my server. Weird. Mind if I slot these for future some social media?

[TheJDMan]

Ha, thanks Steve!

EDIT: Actually, I somehow didn't have any pics of your car saved on my server. Weird. Mind if I slot these for future some social media?

Carl,
You have my permission.

Steve

[69camaro598]

The chassisworks kit is a very easy install, the instruction manual that comes with it is very detailed and easy to follow. I bought this kit having never done something like this before and was able to install the kit in about a weeks time( including taking the old rear end out and putting this one in.) I liked this kit so much I bought their front frame kit as well also a very easy install, also used their mini tub kit. Ca chassisworks has great quality parts and great customer service. How this helps.

Here is a pic of the bracket you have to install between the frame rails for the control arms and shocks.i ended up fully whttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zps4qsecw2x-1.jpeg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/jnjgordon/media/Jody%20Car/image_zps4qsecw2x.jpeg.html)elding this in.

Here is the finnished product.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsgk8wxr4k-1.jpeg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/jnjgordon/media/Jody%20Car/image_zpsgk8wxr4k.jpeg.html)

Also here is their front frame kit as well.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zps3nkpnrjt-1.jpeg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/jnjgordon/media/image_zps3nkpnrjt.jpeg.html)

[3_z28camaro]

Art Morrison has a weld in rear clip:
http://www.artmorrison.com/camaro.php

[mean buzzen half dozen]

Art Morrison has a weld in rear clip:
http://www.artmorrison.com/camaro.php

Thank you.
Looks nice!

I think I might go with the Chassisworks g-Link suspension.
Do those ever go on sale?

[3_z28camaro]

One of the biggest advantages to the Art Morrison setup is that is replaces the thin stock rear rails. It worked well on my project since they were damaged and during removal it was found that a good portion of the spot welds near the rear never really made contact with the body surface. Plus AME offers a 3 link, 4 link, and and IRS.

Matt's Classic Bowties is a good source for ordering parts.

[ryanleiker]

I've been fascinated with the truck arm suspensions from Hot Rods to Hell. This might be usable given the limited original steel you have left.
http://www.hotrodstohell.net/truckarm/truckarm_camaro/f_body_truckarm.htm

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Truck arms are a great suspension...for trucks...and for NASCAR which runs about 2" of ground clearance and uses different durometer bump stops to tune the suspension. Just throwing that out there. :)

We, as the manufacturer, don't run sales on systems because we have a dealer network that is there to serve you, such as the aforementioned Matt's Custom Bowties.

[TheJDMan]

I would add that Hotrods to Hell is not a serious player in the Pro-Touring suspension market and in fact that truck arm suspension is marketed for improving 1/8th mile times as stated on their page. Also as Carl said, a truck arm suspension is good for trucks and the only reason that they are used by NASCAR teams is because NASCAR mandates that suspension. If one wants to improve the handling of their car, I highly recommend sticking with one of the Pro-Touring.com site sponsors who specifically sell PT style suspensions which are actually designed to handle corners.

[gator68428]

Look into the TCI Engineering Torque arm. They also offer a tubular front suspension that connects to the rear with tubular SFCs, as well. Nice system where you can do front and rear separately as the budget permits, and eventually have a killer setup.

I have both front and rear in my 68 Firebird. And there is another guy, Chad-1stgen who is making headlines all over the West with his TCI eng outfitted 68 Camaro.

I did the install myself and everything was very straightforward. They have many options for diff rear ends and for tubbed vs non-tubbed. I actually started with their four link and decided i wanted the torque arm later and the swap was minimal due to part interchangeability. I reused the frame brackets and simply took out the top two arms of the 4 link and added the torque arm and panhard bar. And it comes with integrated driveshaft loop. I just wish I had gone with the tubbed frame brackets early on... I plan to do a half tub, b/c their "non-tubbed" version still gives more room before hitting the lower four link bar than the allowed by the stock inner fender sheet metal; i just need to modify the stock sheet metal.

Pros: system works well, straightforward to install, panhard bar is very long so minimal lateral movement during susp motion (trade off would be a bulkier watts link...), fully adjustable ride height, configurable system, roll center set by panhard not adjustable and in a good position (so the general user can't get into trouble)

Cons: Wish i got the mini-tub setup, the torque arm itself seems bulkier than it needs to be, roll center set by panhard not adjustable (so the advanced user can't optimize roll center... although, just a little fab work could fix that pretty quickly if so desired...)

I can only speak of the TCI Engineering suspension here: but it was a night and day difference after getting the torque arm over the stock suspension, that's for sure! Its amazing you can actually step on the gas pedal early coming out of corners and the tires dig in! About the best you can do with a solid axle.

Here are some links and pics:

Youtube of my car placing 2nd at GoodGuys last year:
https://youtu.be/YpKRYboqarU

Youtube of Chad at USCA and his build thread:
https://youtu.be/VPFxrUve7lQ
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/82119-Chad-s-68-Camaro-V3-0-begins

And TCI's exciting new build for their 2nd gen front end kit.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/104530-TCI-Engineering-s-1971-Camaro/page2

Pics of my car:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/2014040520113328ac_zps7vwkwh9r-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/mitch_mac1/media/2014-04-05%2011.33.28ac_zps7vwkwh9r.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/2014040520113258c_zps3jqlndqf-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/mitch_mac1/media/2014-04-05%2011.32.58c_zps3jqlndqf.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/IMG_3005_zpswmhqob9h-1.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/mitch_mac1/media/IMG_3005_zpswmhqob9h.jpg.html)

[Vegas 69]

We've been happy with the TCI Torque Arm Installations and Performance on 2 69's.

Can all be done without welding if you are not tubbed. If tubbed the top support bracket will be fitted to the narrowed frame rails and welded. However it is welded out of the car then bolted in

[killer69]

Just can't believe you all left out the best option!!

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=9/category_id=23/mode=prod/prd9.htm

it is easy to install, gives the most exhaust room for 3" tail pipes. and is well proven.